Edge application server discovery method and related device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide an edge application server discovery method and related devices. In this method, the S-EES can receive a first message from the T-EES, the first message can be used to determine at least one EAS, and at least one EAS corresponds to a first application. In order to effectively ensure that the EAS discovered in the EAS discovery procedure can provide services to the first application in the terminal, the EAS corresponding to the first application can be discovered in the EAS discovery procedure.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310426582.9, entitled "Edge Application Server Discovery Method and Related Device," filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on April 11, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications technology, and in particular to an edge application server discovery method and related device. [Background technology]

[0003] 3GPP SA6 is currently researching multi-access edge computing (MEC) technology. An Edge Data Network (EDN) deployed based on MEC technology can provide services to applications in a terminal by using an Edge Application Server (EAS). However, an EAS discovered through the existing EAS discovery procedure may not be able to provide services to a specific application in a terminal. Therefore, how to ensure that an EAS discovered through the EAS discovery procedure can provide services to a specific application in a terminal has become an urgent issue to be resolved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide an edge application server discovery method and related devices to ensure that the EAS discovered in the EAS discovery procedure can provide services to a specific application in the terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an edge application server discovery method. The method may be applied to a Source Edge Enabler Server (S-EES), or may be applied to a chip within the S-EES, or may be applied to a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the S-EES functions. Hereinafter, S-EES is used as an example for explanation. The method includes the step of: the S-EES receiving a first message from a Target Edge Enabler Server (T-EES), where the first message is used to determine at least one EAS, and the at least one EAS corresponds to a first application.

[0006] Optionally, the method according to the first aspect may be applied to the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process.

[0007] Optionally, the at least one EAS is an EAS associated with the T-EES, and in the at least one EAS, there is an EAS corresponding to a first application, where the first application is a specific application in the terminal (e.g., an application in the terminal that currently needs to perform application context relocation, or an application currently served by the S-EAS).

[0008] Optionally, the first message may include at least one of an EAS discovery response message, an EAS discovery subscription response message, an EAS discovery subscription update response message, or a service discovery response message.

[0009] It can be seen from the method of the first aspect that the S-EES can determine an EAS corresponding to the first application based on the first message. To effectively ensure that the discovered EAS can provide services to the first application in the terminal, the EAS corresponding to the first application can be discovered in the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process. In this way, EES discovery failures are avoided, the EES discovery procedure is avoided from being repeatedly performed, service interruption delays are reduced, and the user experience of the application is improved.

[0010] Referring to the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the first message indicates a correspondence relationship between at least one EAS and the first application. Optionally, the first message may not indicate a correspondence relationship between the at least one EAS and the first application. Instead, the first instruction information indicates a correspondence relationship between the at least one EAS and the first application. It should be noted that the first instruction information may be carried in the first message or in another message. This is not limited. In this implementation, it may be found that the S-EES can directly determine an EAS corresponding to the first application based on the correspondence relationship.

[0011] Referring to the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the first message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0012] Referring to the first aspect, in one optional implementation, after the S-EES receives a first message from the T-EES, the method further includes a step in which the S-EES determines an EAS corresponding to the first application from at least one EAS based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0013] Referring to the first aspect, in one optional implementation, after the S-EES receives a first message from the T-EES, the method further includes a step in which the S-EES determines an EAS corresponding to the first application from at least one EAS based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0014] Referring to the first aspect, in one optional implementation, before the S-EES receives the first message from the T-EES, the method further includes a step in which the S-EES sends an EAS discovery request message to the T-EES, wherein the EAS discovery request message is used to request obtaining at least one EAS from the T-EES, and the first message is an EAS discovery response message.

[0015] Referring to the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application. Since the S-EES can send an application message of the first application to the T-EES in the EAS discovery request message, it can be known that the T-EES determines the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the application identifier and / or the corresponding EAS bundle identifier of the first application.

[0016] Referring to the first aspect, in one optional implementation, before the S-EES sends an EAS discovery request message to the T-EES, the method further includes a step in which the S-EES receives a second message from an Edge Configuration Server (ECS), wherein the second message is used to determine at least one EES, wherein the EAS associated with the at least one EES corresponds to a first application, the at least one EES corresponds to the first application, and the at least one EES includes a T-EES.

[0017] Optionally, this implementation method can be applied to the EES discovery procedure of the application context relocation process.

[0018] Optionally, at least one EES is an EES on an ECS, and at least one EES has an EES associated with an EAS corresponding to the first application.

[0019] Optionally, the second message may include at least one of an EES discovery response message, an EES discovery subscription response message, an EES discovery subscription update response message, and a service discovery response message.

[0020] In order to effectively ensure that the EAS in the EES discovered in the EES discovery procedure of the application context relocation process can provide service to the first application in the terminal, in this implementation, the S-EES can determine the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the second message, and can discover the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application in the EES discovery procedure of the application context relocation process, thereby avoiding EES discovery failures and avoiding repeated execution of the EES discovery procedure, thereby reducing service interruption delays and improving the user experience of the application.

[0021] Referring to the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the second message further indicates a correspondence between the first application and an EAS associated with at least one EES. Optionally, the second message may not indicate a correspondence between the first application and an EAS associated with at least one EES. Instead, the second instruction information indicates a correspondence between the first application and an EAS associated with at least one EES. The second instruction information may be carried in the second message or in a separate message. This is not limited. In this implementation, it may be found that the S-EES can directly determine an EES associated with an EAS corresponding to the first application based on the correspondence.

[0022] Referring to the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the second message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the at least one EES.

[0023] Referring to the first aspect, in one optional implementation, after the S-EES receives the second message from the ECS, the method further includes a step in which the S-EES determines, from the at least one EES, an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0024] Referring to the first aspect, in one optional implementation, after the S-EES receives the second message from the ECS, the method further includes a step in which the S-EES determines, from the at least one EES, an EAS associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0025] Referring to the first aspect, in one optional implementation, before the S-EES receives the second message from the ECS, the method further includes a step in which the S-EES sends an EES discovery request message to the ECS, wherein the EES discovery request message is used to request obtaining at least one EES from the ECS, and the second message is an EES discovery response message.

[0026] Referring to the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the EES discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application. Since the S-EES can send the application identifier and / or the corresponding EAS bundle identifier of the first application to the ECS in the EES discovery request message, it can be seen that the ECS determines the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the application identifier and / or the EAS bundle identifier of the first application.

[0027] Optionally, in one optional implementation, before the S-EES sends an EAS discovery request message to the T-EES, the method further includes a step in which the S-EES receives an EAS discovery request message from the S-EAS.

[0028] Optionally, in one optional implementation, the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application. It may be noted that the S-EES may send the application identifier of the first application and / or the corresponding EAS bundle identifier to the S-EES in the EAS discovery request message.

[0029] Optionally, in one optional implementation, after the S-EES receives the first message from the T-EES, the method further includes the S-EES sending an EAS discovery response message to the S-EAS. In this implementation, the S-EES can forward the EAS discovery response message to the S-EAS, so that after the S-EAS determines an EAS corresponding to the first application and the S-EAS sends the application context to the T-EAS, it can be seen that when the AC is connected to the T-EAS, the T-EAS determines an EAS bundle required by the AC based on at least one of the application identifier of the T-EAS and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the T-EAS, and invokes an EAS in the EAS bundle to provide service to the AC.

[0030] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another edge application server discovery method. The method may be applied to a T-EES, or may be applied to a chip within the T-EES, or may be applied to a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the T-EES functions. In the following, the T-EES is used as an example for explanation. The method includes the step of: the T-EES sending a first message to an S-EES, where the first message is used to determine at least one EAS, and the at least one EAS corresponds to a first application.

[0031] Optionally, the method according to the second aspect may be applied to the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process.

[0032] In order to effectively ensure that the discovered EAS can provide service to the first application in the terminal, it can be seen from the method according to the second aspect that the T-EES can send a first message to the S-EES, and the S-EES can then determine the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the first message, and discover the EAS corresponding to the first application in the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process. In this way, EES discovery failures are avoided, and repeated execution of the EES discovery procedure is avoided, thereby reducing service interruption delays and improving the user experience of the application.

[0033] Referring to the second aspect, in one optional implementation, the first message further indicates a correspondence relationship between at least one EAS and the first application. In this implementation, it can be seen that the T-EES can send the correspondence relationship between at least one EAS and the first application to the S-EES, so that the S-EES can directly determine the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the correspondence relationship.

[0034] Referring to the second aspect, in one optional implementation, before the T-EES sends the first message to the S-EES, the method further includes a step in which the T-EES determines an EAS corresponding to the first application based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0035] Referring to the second aspect, in one optional implementation, before the T-EES sends the first message to the S-EES, the method further includes a step in which the T-EES determines an EAS corresponding to the first application based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0036]

[0023] Referring to the second aspect, in one optional implementation, the first message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS. To help the S-EES determine the EAS corresponding to the first application from the EASs associated with the T-EES based on the application identifier and / or the EAS bundle identifier, in this implementation, it may be seen that the T-EES can send the application identifier and / or the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the T-EES to the S-EES.

[0037] Referring to the second aspect, in one optional implementation, before the T-EES sends the first message to the S-EES, the method further includes a step in which the T-EES receives an EAS discovery request message from the S-EES, wherein the EAS discovery request message is used to request obtaining at least one EAS from the T-EES, and the first message is an EAS discovery response message.

[0038]

[0023] Referring to the second aspect, in one optional implementation, the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application. It may be seen that, to determine the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the application identifier or the corresponding EAS bundle identifier of the first application, the T-EES can obtain the application identifier or the corresponding EAS bundle identifier of the first application in the EAS discovery request message.

[0039] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides yet another edge application server discovery method. The method may be applied to an ECS, or may be applied to a chip within the ECS, or may be applied to a logic module or software capable of performing all or part of the ECS functions. Hereinafter, the ECS is used as an example. The method includes a step of the ECS sending a second message to the S-EES, where the second message is used to determine at least one EES, and an EAS associated with the at least one EES corresponds to a first application, and the at least one EES corresponds to the first application.

[0040] Optionally, the method according to the third aspect may be applied to the EES discovery procedure of an application context relocation process.

[0041] In order to effectively ensure that the EAS in the EES discovered in the EES discovery procedure of the application context relocation process can provide service to the first application in the terminal, the ECS can send a second message to the S-EES, so that the S-EES can determine the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the second message, and the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application can be discovered in the EES discovery procedure of the application context relocation process, thereby avoiding EES discovery failures, avoiding repeated execution of the EES discovery procedure, reducing service interruption delays, and improving the user experience of the application, as can be seen from the method according to the third aspect.

[0042] Referring to the third aspect, in one optional implementation, the second message further indicates a correspondence between the first application and at least one EAS associated with the EES. In this implementation, the ECS can send the correspondence between the first application and the EAS associated with the at least one EES to the S-EES, so that it can be seen that the S-EES directly determines the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the correspondence.

[0043] Referring to the third aspect, in one optional implementation, before the ECS sends the second message to the S-EES, the method further includes a step in which the ECS determines an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0044] Referring to the third aspect, in one optional implementation, before the ECS sends the second message to the S-EES, the method further includes a step in which the ECS determines an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0045]

[0023] Referring to the third aspect, in one optional implementation, the second message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the at least one EES. In this implementation, it may be seen that the ECS can send the application identifier and / or the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EAS in the ECS to the S-EES to help the S-EES determine an EAS associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application from the at least one EES based on the application identifier and / or the EAS bundle identifier.

[0046] Referring to the third aspect, in one optional implementation, before the ECS sends the second message to the S-EES, the method further includes a step in which the ECS receives an EES discovery request message from the S-EES, wherein the EES discovery request message is used to request obtaining at least one EES from the ECS, and the second message is an EES discovery response message.

[0047]

[0023] Referring to the third aspect, in one optional implementation, the EES discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application. It may be seen that, to determine an EES associated with an EAS corresponding to the first application based on the application identifier and / or the corresponding EAS bundle identifier of the first application, the ECS can obtain the application identifier and / or the corresponding EAS bundle identifier of the first application in the EES discovery request message.

[0048] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides yet another edge application server discovery method. The method may be applied to an S-EAS, or to a chip within the S-EAS, or to a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the S-EAS functions. The following uses the S-EAS as an example. The method includes the step of: the S-EAS sending an EAS discovery request message to the S-EES, where the EAS discovery request message is used to request at least one EAS, and the at least one EAS corresponds to a first application.

[0049] Optionally, the method according to the fourth aspect may be applied to the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process.

[0050] It can be seen from the method according to the fourth aspect that the S-EAS can send an EAS discovery request message to the S-EES to trigger the execution of an EES discovery procedure and / or an EAS discovery procedure.

[0051] Referring to the fourth aspect, in one optional implementation, after the S-EAS sends an EAS discovery request message to the S-EES, the method further includes a step in which the S-EAS receives an EAS discovery response message from the S-EES, wherein the EAS discovery response message is used to determine at least one EAS.

[0052] Referring to the fourth aspect, in one optional implementation, the EAS discovery response message further indicates a correspondence relationship between at least one EAS and the first application. In this implementation, it can be seen that the S-EAS can directly determine the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the correspondence relationship.

[0053] Referring to the fourth aspect, in one optional implementation, the EAS discovery response message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0054] Referring to the fourth aspect, in one optional implementation, after the S-EAS receives an EAS discovery response message from the S-EES, the method further includes a step in which the S-EAS determines an EAS corresponding to the first application from the at least one EAS based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0055] Referring to the fourth aspect, in one optional implementation, after the S-EAS receives an EAS discovery response message from the S-EES, the method further includes a step in which the S-EES determines an EAS corresponding to the first application from the at least one EAS based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0056] Referring to the fourth aspect, in one optional implementation, the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application. In this implementation, the S-EAS can send the application identifier and / or the corresponding EAS bundle identifier of the first application to the S-EES in the EAS discovery request message, so that the S-EES can be found to obtain the application identifier and / or the corresponding EAS bundle identifier of the first application.

[0057] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides yet another edge application server discovery method. The method may be applied to an EEC, or may be applied to a chip in the EEC, or may be applied to a logic module or software capable of performing all or part of the EEC functions. Hereinafter, the EEC is used as an example. The method includes the steps of: the EEC receiving a third message from the ECS, the third message being used to determine at least one EES, and an EAS associated with the at least one EES corresponding to a second application; and the at least one EES corresponding to the second application.

[0058] Optionally, the method according to the fifth aspect may be applied to an initial EES discovery procedure.

[0059] Optionally, the second application may be any application within the terminal, and the second application may be the same as or different from the first application.

[0060] Optionally, the third message may include at least one of an edge computing platform discovery response message, an edge computing platform discovery subscription response message, an edge computing platform discovery subscription update response message, and a service discovery response message.

[0061] It can be seen from the method according to the fifth aspect that the EEC can determine the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on the third message, so as to effectively ensure that the EAS associated with the EES discovered in the initial EES discovery procedure can provide service to the second application, thereby avoiding EES discovery failures, avoiding repeated execution of the EES discovery procedure, reducing service interruption delays, and improving the application usage experience. In addition, it can also effectively ensure that the EAS discovered in the initial EAS discovery procedure can provide service to the second application in the terminal, so as to avoid EAS discovery failures, avoiding repeated execution of the EAS discovery procedure, reducing service interruption delays, and improving the application usage experience.

[0062] Referring to the fifth aspect, in one optional implementation, the third message further indicates a correspondence between the second application and an EAS associated with at least one EES. Optionally, the third message may not indicate a correspondence between the second application and an EAS associated with at least one EES. Instead, the third instruction information indicates a correspondence between the second application and an EAS associated with at least one EES. Note that the third instruction information may be carried in the edge computing platform discovery response message or in a separate message. This is not limited. In this implementation, it may be found that the EEC can directly determine an EES associated with an EAS corresponding to the second application based on the received correspondence.

[0063] Referring to the fifth aspect, in one optional implementation, the third message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the at least one EES.

[0064] Referring to the fifth aspect, in one optional implementation, after the EEC receives the third message from the ECS, the method further includes a step in which the EEC determines, from the at least one EES, an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on an application identifier of the second application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0065] Referring to the fifth aspect, in one optional implementation, after the EEC receives the third message from the ECS, the method further includes a step in which the EEC determines, from the at least one EES, an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0066] Referring to the fifth aspect, in one optional implementation, before the EEC receives the third message from the ECS, the method further includes a step of the EEC sending an edge computing platform discovery request message to the ECS, where the edge computing platform discovery request message is used to request obtaining at least one EES from the ECS, and the third message is an edge computing platform discovery response message.

[0067] Referring to the fifth aspect, in one optional implementation, the edge computing platform discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the second application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application. Since the EEC can send the application identifier and / or the corresponding EAS bundle identifier of the second application to the ECS in the edge computing platform discovery request message, it can be known that the ECS determines an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on the application identifier and / or the corresponding EAS bundle identifier of the second application.

[0068] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides yet another edge application server discovery method. The method may be applied to an ECS, or may be applied to a chip in the ECS, or may be applied to a logic module or software capable of performing all or part of the ECS functions. The following uses the ECS as an example. The method includes the steps of: the ECS sending a third message to an EEC, the third message being used to determine at least one EES, the at least one EES corresponding to a second application, and the at least one EES corresponding to the second application.

[0069] Optionally, the method according to the sixth aspect may be applied to an initial EES discovery procedure.

[0070] It can be seen from the method according to the sixth aspect that the ECS can send a third message to the EEC, so that the EEC can determine at least one EES based on the third message and discover at least one EES in an initial EES discovery procedure. This effectively ensures that the EAS associated with the EES discovered in the initial EES discovery procedure can provide services to the second application, so that the EAS associated with the EES corresponds to the second application, thereby avoiding EES discovery failures and avoiding repeated execution of the EES discovery procedure, reducing service interruption delays, and improving the application experience. Additionally, it can also effectively ensure that the EAS discovered in the initial EAS discovery procedure can provide services to the second application in the terminal, so avoiding EAS discovery failures and avoiding repeated execution of the EAS discovery procedure, reducing service interruption delays, and improving the application experience.

[0071] Referring to the sixth aspect, in one optional implementation, the third message further indicates a correspondence relationship between the second application and an EAS associated with the at least one EES. In this implementation, it can be seen that the ECS can send the correspondence relationship between the second application and the EAS associated with the at least one EES to the EEC, so that the EEC can directly determine the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on the correspondence relationship.

[0072] Referring to the sixth aspect, in one optional implementation, before the ECS sends the third message to the EEC, the method further includes a step in which the ECS determines an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on an application identifier of the second application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0073] Referring to the sixth aspect, in one optional implementation, before the ECS sends the third message to the EEC, the method further includes a step in which the ECS determines an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0074] Referring to the sixth aspect, in one optional implementation, the third message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the at least one EES. In this implementation, the ECS can send the application identifier and / or the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES in the ECS to the EEC, so that the EEC can be found to determine the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on the application identifier and / or the EAS bundle identifier.

[0075] Referring to the sixth aspect, in one optional implementation, before the ECS sends the third message to the EEC, the method further includes a step in which the ECS receives an edge computing platform discovery request message from the EEC, where the edge computing platform discovery request message is used to request obtaining at least one EES from the ECS, and the third message is an edge computing platform discovery response message.

[0076] Referring to the sixth aspect, in one optional implementation, the edge computing platform discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the second application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application. It may be seen that the ECS can obtain the application identifier and / or the corresponding EAS bundle identifier of the second application in the edge computing platform discovery request message to determine an EAS associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on the application identifier and / or the EAS bundle identifier of the second application.

[0077] According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides yet another edge application server discovery method. The method may be applied to an EAS, or may be applied to a chip in the EAS, or may be applied to a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of EAS functions. The following uses the EAS as an example. The method includes the step of: the EAS sending a fourth message to the EES, the fourth message including EAS information, and the EAS information including at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0078] It can be seen from the method according to the seventh aspect that the EAS can upload EAS information to the EES with the fourth information, so that the EES obtains EAS information of the EAS associated with the EES, and then performs at least one of an initial EES discovery procedure, an initial EAS discovery procedure, an EES discovery procedure for an application context relocation process, and an EAS discovery procedure for an application context relocation process.

[0079] According to an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides yet another edge application server discovery method. The method may be applied to an EES, or may be applied to a chip within the EES, or may be applied to a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of EES functions. The following uses the EES as an example. The method includes the step of: the EES receiving a fourth message from at least one EAS, where the fourth message includes EAS information, and the EAS information includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0080] It can be seen from the method according to the eighth aspect that since the EES can receive the EAS information of the EAS in the fourth information, the EES obtains the EAS information of the EAS associated with the EES and then performs at least one of an initial EES discovery procedure, an initial EAS discovery procedure, an EES discovery procedure for an application context relocation process, and an EAS discovery procedure for an application context relocation process.

[0081] According to a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides yet another edge application server discovery method. The method may be applied to an EES, or may be applied to a chip within the EES, or may be applied to a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of EES functions. The following uses the EES as an example. The method includes the step of: the EES sending a fifth message to the ECS, the fifth message including EES information, the EES information including EAS information of an EAS associated with the EES, and the EAS information including at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0082] It can be seen from the method of the ninth aspect that since the EES can upload EES information to the ECS in the fifth message, the ECS obtains EAS information associated with the EES and then performs at least one of an initial EES discovery procedure, an initial EAS discovery procedure, an EES discovery procedure for an application context relocation process, and an EAS discovery procedure for an application context relocation process.

[0083] According to a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides yet another edge application server discovery method. The method may be applied to an ECS, or to a chip within the ECS, or to a logic module or software capable of performing all or part of the ECS functions. Hereinafter, the ECS is used as an example. The method includes the step of: the ECS receiving a fifth message from at least one EES, the fifth message including EES information, the EES information including EAS information of an EAS associated with the EES, and the EAS information including at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0084] It can be seen from the method according to the tenth aspect that since the ECS can receive the EES information of the EES in the fifth message, the ECS obtains the EAS information associated with each EES and then performs at least one of the initial EES discovery procedure, the initial EAS discovery procedure, the EES discovery procedure of the application context relocation process, and the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process.

[0085] According to an eleventh aspect, the present application provides an edge application server discovery system, the system having functionality for implementing some or all of the implementations of the first aspect, or some or all of the implementations of the second aspect, or some or all of the implementations of the third aspect, or some or all of the implementations of the fourth aspect, or some or all of the implementations of the fifth aspect, or some or all of the implementations of the sixth aspect, or some or all of the implementations of the seventh aspect, or some or all of the implementations of the eighth aspect, or some or all of the implementations of the ninth aspect, or some or all of the implementations of the tenth aspect.

[0086] According to a twelfth aspect, the present application provides an edge application server discovery device. The device has functions for implementing part or all of the implementations of the first aspect, or part or all of the implementations of the second aspect, or part or all of the implementations of the third aspect, or part or all of the implementations of the fourth aspect, or part or all of the implementations of the fifth aspect, or part or all of the implementations of the sixth aspect, or part or all of the implementations of the seventh aspect, or part or all of the implementations of the eighth aspect, or part or all of the implementations of the ninth aspect, or part or all of the implementations of the tenth aspect. The functions may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software may include one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions.

[0087] In one possible design, the structure of the device may include a processing unit and a communication unit. The processing unit is configured to support the edge application server discovery device in performing corresponding functions in the aforementioned manner. The processing unit may be configured to control the communication unit to perform data / signaling transmission and reception. The communication unit is configured to support communication between the edge application server discovery device and another edge application server discovery device. The edge application server discovery device may further include a storage unit. The storage unit is coupled to the processing unit and the communication unit and configured to store program instructions and data required for the edge application server discovery device. In one implementation, the processor may be configured to perform, for example, but not limited to, baseband-related processing, and the transceiver may be configured to perform, for example, but not limited to, radio frequency transmission and reception.

[0088] In one example, the communication unit may be a transceiver or a communication interface, the storage unit may be a memory, and the processing unit may be a processor. The processor may be configured to perform the methods of the first to tenth aspects by using logic circuits or by executing a computer program, the transceiver may be configured to transmit and receive signals, and the memory may be configured to store the computer program.

[0089] Optionally, the aforementioned components may be located separately on separate chips, or at least some or all of the components may be located on the same chip. For example, a processor may be divided into an analog baseband processor and a digital baseband processor. The analog baseband processor and a transceiver may be integrated on the same chip, and the digital baseband processor may be located on a separate chip. With the continuous development of integrated circuit technology, more and more components may be integrated on the same chip. For example, a digital baseband processor and multiple application processors (such as, but not limited to, a graphics processing unit and a multimedia processor) may be integrated on the same chip. Such a chip may be called a system-on-a-chip (SoC). Whether the components are located separately on separate chips or integrated on one or more chips typically depends on the requirements of the product design. This embodiment of the present application does not impose any restrictions on the specific implementation of the aforementioned components.

[0090] According to a thirteenth aspect, the present application further provides a processor configured to execute the aforementioned methods. In the process of executing these methods, the process of transmitting the aforementioned signal and the process of receiving the aforementioned signal in the aforementioned methods can be understood as the process of outputting the aforementioned signal by the processor and the process of inputting the aforementioned signal by the processor. When outputting the aforementioned signal, the processor outputs the aforementioned signal to the transceiver, and as a result, the transceiver transmits the signal. After the aforementioned signal is output by the processor, other processing may need to be performed on the signal, and then the signal reaches the transceiver. Similarly, when the processor receives an input signal, the transceiver receives the signal and inputs the signal to the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the signal, other processing may need to be performed on the signal, and then the signal is input to the processor.

[0091] Unless otherwise specified, operations such as transmitting and receiving associated with a processor may be more generally understood as operations such as output, reception, and input of the processor, instead of operations such as transmitting and receiving performed directly by radio frequency circuits and antennas, unless the operations are inconsistent with the actual function or internal logic of the operations in the relevant description.

[0092] In one implementation, the processor may be a processor specially configured to perform these methods, or may be a processor that executes computer instructions in memory to perform these methods, such as a general-purpose processor. The memory may be a non-transitory memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM). The memory and the processor may be integrated on the same chip or may be separately located on different chips. The type of memory and the manner in which the memory and the processor are located are not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0093] According to a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium configured to store instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform a method according to any one of the first to tenth aspects.

[0094] According to a fifteenth aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when run on a computer, perform a method according to any one of the first to tenth aspects.

[0095] According to a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, the chip system including a processor and an interface, the interface configured to obtain a program or instruction, and the processor configured to call the program or instruction to perform the function of the first aspect to the function of the tenth aspect. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory. The memory is configured to store program instructions and data required for the terminal. The chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another discrete component.

[0096] In order to describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application more clearly, the following describes the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of the present application. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0097] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an EAS bundle according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 3A] 1 is a schematic flowchart of an edge application server discovery method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 3B] 1 is a schematic flowchart of an edge application server discovery method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4A] 1 is a schematic flowchart of another edge application server discovery method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4B] 1 is a schematic flowchart of another edge application server discovery method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5] 10 is a schematic flowchart of yet another edge application server discovery method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6] 10 is a schematic flowchart of yet another edge application server discovery method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 7]10 is a schematic flowchart of yet another edge application server discovery method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 8] 10 is a schematic flowchart of yet another edge application server discovery method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 9] 10 is a schematic flowchart of yet another edge application server discovery method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic flowchart of yet another edge application server discovery method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the structure of an edge application server discovery device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a structural diagram of another edge application server discovery device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a structural diagram of yet another edge application server discovery device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a structural diagram of yet another edge application server discovery device according to an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0098] In this application, "plurality" means two or more. In this application, the term "and / or" describes a relationship between related objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the following: when only A is present, when both A and B are present, and when only B is present, and A and B may be singular or plural. The character " / " typically indicates an "or" relationship between related objects. "One or more" or similar expressions refer to any combination of items, including any combination of one item or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where each of a, b, and c can be an element or a set including one or more elements.

[0099] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms "system" and "network," as well as "corresponding" and "associated" may be used interchangeably, and the meaning of these terms may be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0100] 3GPP SA6 is currently researching multi-access edge computing (MEC) technology. MEC technology can provide the services and cloud computing capabilities required by nearby telecommunications users through the radio access network to create a high-performance, low-latency, and high-bandwidth carrier-class service environment. This effectively accelerates the download of various content, services, and applications across the network, ensuring an uninterrupted, high-quality network experience.

[0101] In one application scenario, an application user may sign a service contract with an application provider, so that an edge data network (EDN) deployed by the provider can provide the corresponding service. Specifically, the application user may log in to an application client on a terminal and obtain the service through the connection between the application client and an edge application server (EAS).

[0102] To better meet user requirements, multiple EASs in an EDN can be integrated to provide services to one AC. Specifically, when an AC is connected to an EAS (e.g., a main EAS) in an EDN, the EAS can call data from other EASs in the EDN to provide services to the AC. FIG. 1 takes an example in which EDN 110 includes EASs 111, 112, 113, and 114, and EDN 120 includes EASs 111, 122, and 123. When AC 101 is connected to EAS 111, EAS 111 can call EASs 112 and 113 to obtain corresponding data to complete corresponding services, aggregate the data from EASs 111, 112, and 113, and return the data to AC 101.

[0103] However, in existing EAS discovery procedures, information about only one EAS is considered (e.g., only information about the main EAS is considered), and the discovered EAS may not be able to call other EASs in the EDN to jointly provide services to a specific AC. This may cause EAS discovery failures, increase service discovery delays and service interruption delays, and affect the user experience of applications. For example, if an EAS bundle required by an AC has an EAS located outside the EDN, the AC may not be able to obtain the corresponding service when connecting to an EAS in the EDN. Assume that the EASs required by AC 102 include EAS 111, EAS 122, and EAS 123. Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that EAS 122 and EAS 123 are located outside the EDN 110. If AC 102 is connected to EAS 111 in the EDN 110, EAS 111 may not be able to call EAS 122 and EAS 123 to provide services to AC 102. Therefore, how to ensure that the EAS discovered in the EAS discovery procedure can provide services to a specific application in the terminal has become an urgent problem to be solved.

[0104] In consideration of this, an embodiment of the present application provides an edge application server discovery method to effectively ensure that the EAS discovered in the EAS discovery procedure can provide services to a specific application in the terminal, thereby avoiding EAS discovery failures, reducing service discovery delays and service interruption delays, and improving the user experience of the application.

[0105] The edge application server discovery method of the present application embodiment may be applied to various communication systems, including, but not limited to, a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, a New Radio Access Technology (NR) system, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, an LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) system, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), and a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication system. The mobile communication system may include non-standalone (NSA) networking and / or standalone (SA) networking. Alternatively, the technical solution provided in the present application may also be applied to future communication systems, such as a 6th generation mobile communication system, which is not limited in the present application.

[0106] The edge application server discovery method provided in the embodiments of the present application may also be applied to Machine Type Communication (MTC), Long Term Evolution-machine (LTE-M) technology, Device-to-Device (D2D) networks, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) networks, Internet of Things (IoT) networks, or other networks. IoT networks may include, for example, the Internet of Vehicles. Communication methods in Internet of Vehicle systems are collectively referred to as Vehicle-to-X (V2X, where X can represent any value). For example, V2X may include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, etc.

[0107] The edge application server discovery method of the embodiments of the present application may further be applied to various communication scenarios, including but not limited to service continuity scenarios, Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) scenarios, etc.

[0108] 2 is an architecture diagram of a communication system 2000 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication system includes a terminal, a core network, an EDN, and an Edge Configuration Server (ECS). One or more Application Clients (Application Clients) and one or more Edge Enabler Clients (EEC) may be deployed in the terminal. It should be noted that the communication system may further include other network devices, but this is not limited thereto.

[0109] For ease of understanding, the following describes some network elements, terms, etc. in this application.

[0110] 1. Data Network A data network (DN) is a service network of an operator or a third party, which can provide services (e.g., operator services or Internet services) to a terminal.

[0111] 2. Local Data Network A local data network (Local DN) may be an access point of a data network that is very close to the user's attachment point.

[0112] 3. Edge Data Network (EDN) In one understanding, an EDN, which corresponds to a single data network, is a specialized local data network, includes edge enabler functionality, can use data network access identifier (DNAI) and data network name (DNN) identifiers, and is a network logical concept.

[0113] In another understanding, an EDN is an equivalent concept of a central cloud, which may be understood as a local data center (in terms of geographic location), may be identified using DNAI, and may include one or more local data networks.

[0114] 4. Edge Application Server (EAS) An application deployed within an EDN may be referred to as an EAS. Specifically, an EAS may be an instance of a server application (e.g., social media software, augmented reality (AR), or virtual reality (VR)) that is deployed and executed within the EDN.

[0115] One or more EASs may be deployed within one or more EDNs for an application. EASs deployed and running within separate EDNs may be considered separate EASs for a single application, may share a domain name, may use a single IP address, or may use separate IP addresses.

[0116] Optionally, an EAS has a corresponding application and / or a corresponding EAS bundle. The correspondence between an EAS and an application may be described, without limitation, as a correspondence between an EAS identifier (e.g., EAS ID) and an application identifier (e.g., AC ID), or as a correspondence between an EAS and an application identifier. The correspondence between an EAS and an EAS bundle may be described, without limitation, as a correspondence between an EAS identifier (e.g., EAS ID) and an EAS bundle identifier (e.g., composite ID), or as a correspondence between an EAS and an EAS bundle identifier.

[0117] It should be noted that "EAS-enabled application," "EAS-enabled application identifier," "EAS-associated application," and "EAS-associated application identifier" may be used interchangeably.

[0118] It should be noted that "EAS bundle corresponding to EAS," "EAS bundle identifier corresponding to EAS," "EAS bundle identifier associated with EAS," and "EAS bundle identifier associated with EAS" may be used interchangeably.

[0119] Alternatively, the EAS may be replaced with an edge application, an edge application server, an application instance, an edge application instance, an MEC application, an MEC application server, an EAS function, etc. This is not limited in this application. For ease of explanation, the EAS will be referred to as an edge application server hereinafter.

[0120] 5. Edge Application Server EAS Bundle (Composite EAS) One or more EASs in an EDN can be combined to obtain an EAS bundle, and different EAS bundles may each correspond to different applications (i.e., different EAS bundles may provide services to different applications). For example, an EDN may include a first EAS, a second EAS, a third EAS, a fourth EAS, and a fifth EAS. The first EAS, the second EAS, and the third EAS in the EDN may be combined to obtain a first EAS bundle, and the first EAS bundle corresponds to a first application. The first EAS, the fourth EAS, and the fifth EAS in the EDN may be combined to obtain a second EAS bundle, and the second EAS bundle corresponds to a second application.

[0121] Optionally, an EAS bundle has a corresponding EAS bundle identifier, which is used to identify the EAS bundle (i.e., a collection of EASs), and the EAS bundle identifier may be expressed as a composite ID or the like, without limitation. Optionally, the correspondence between an EAS bundle and an application may be described as a correspondence between an EAS bundle identifier (e.g., composite ID) and an application identifier (e.g., AC ID), or as a correspondence between an EAS bundle and an application identifier, without limitation.

[0122] It should be noted that "application corresponding to an EAS bundle," "application identifier corresponding to an EAS bundle," "application associated with an EAS bundle," and "application identifier associated with an EAS bundle" may be used interchangeably.

[0123] 6. Application Client AC An AC is a terminal-side peer entity of an application server and is used by an application user to obtain application services from the application server. An AC may be a terminal-side application client program, and may be connected to an application server on a cloud to obtain application services, or may be connected to an EAS deployed and running in one or more EDNs to obtain application services. An AC may also be called an application program client, which is not limited in this application.

[0124] Optionally, an AC has a corresponding application identifier, which is used to identify an application client, and the application identifier may be expressed as an application ID, an AC ID, or the like, without limitation. Optionally, an application has a corresponding EAS, and the correspondence between an application and an EAS may be described as a correspondence between an application identifier (e.g., an AC ID) and an EAS identifier (e.g., a composite ID), or as a correspondence between an application and an EAS identifier, without limitation.

[0125] It should be noted that "EAS corresponding to an application" and "EAS identifier corresponding to an application," "EAS identifier associated with an application," and "EAS identifier associated with an application" may be used interchangeably.

[0126] Optionally, an application has a corresponding EAS bundle, and the correspondence between an application and an EAS bundle may be described as, but is not limited to, a correspondence between an application identifier (e.g., an AC ID) and an EAS bundle identifier (e.g., a composite ID) or a correspondence between an application and an EAS bundle identifier.

[0127] It should be noted that the terms "EAS bundle corresponding to an application," "tan EAS bundle identifier corresponding to an application," "EAS bundle identifier associated with an application," and "EAS bundle identifier associated with an application" may be used interchangeably.

[0128] 7. Edge Enabler Server EES The EES can provide several enabler functions for the EAS deployed in the EDN. The EES can support registration of edge application servers and authentication and authorization of terminals, provide the IP address of the edge application server to the terminal, etc. The EES can further support obtaining the identifier and IP address of the edge application server, and can further support sending the obtained identifier and the obtained IP address to the ECS. The EES is deployed in the EDN.

[0129] Generally, in the case of an EAS registered with an EES, or where a management system configures or pre-configures EAS information on the EES, or where EAS information is stored on the EES, or where an EAS is managed on the EES, the EAS is referred to as an EAS associated with the EES, the EES is referred to as an EES associated with the EAS, or the EES controls or manages the EAS registered with or configured in the EES.

[0130] Alternatively, an EAS associated with an EES may be replaced with an EAS corresponding to the EES, and an EES associated with an EAS may be replaced with an EES corresponding to the EAS, which is not limited in this application.

[0131] 8. Edge Enabler Client EEC The EEC is an enabler layer entity on the terminal side. The EEC can be configured to register information about the EEC and the AC with the EES, perform security authentication and authorization, obtain the IP address of the EAS from the EES, provide edge computing enabler capabilities to the AC, etc. For example, the EEC can return the IP address of the EAS to the AC through an EAS discovery service.

[0132] 9. Edge Configuration Server ECS The ECS is primarily responsible for maintaining EDN information. For example, the ECS may provide EES information to the terminal. As another example, the ECS may further interact with the DNS of the application to obtain EAS information and provide the EAS information directly to the terminal. The ECS may also obtain and store information about EAS and IP addresses from other functional entities.

[0133] Generally, for an EES registered with an ECS, or where a management system configures or pre-configures EES information on the ECS, or where EES information is stored on the ECS, or where an EES is managed on an ECS, the EES is referred to as an EES associated with the ECS, the ECS is referred to as an ECS associated with the EES, or the ECS controls or manages the EES registered with or configured on the ECS. Optionally, the EES information may further include information about the EAS associated with the EES.

[0134] 10. Terminal A terminal may also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals may be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D) scenarios, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication scenarios, machine-type communication (MTC) scenarios, Internet of Things (IoT) scenarios, virtual reality scenarios, augmented reality scenarios, industrial control scenarios, autonomous driving scenarios, telemedicine scenarios, smart grid scenarios, smart furniture scenarios, smart office scenarios, smart wearable scenarios, smart transportation scenarios, and smart city scenarios. Terminals may be mobile phones, tablet computers, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, aircraft, ships, robots, mechanical arms, smart home devices, etc. The specific technologies and specific device forms used by the terminals are not limited by the embodiments of this application.

[0135] Optionally, a terminal may include an application client AC and / or an edge enabler client EEC. For example, if a terminal includes an AC, the terminal may be considered an AC. As another example, if a terminal includes an EEC, the terminal may be considered an EEC. As another example, if a terminal includes an AC and an EEC, the terminal may be considered a composite device of an AC and an EEC. This is not limiting.

[0136] 11. Application Context Relocation (ACR) Application context relocation may also be called application context relocation, and no distinction is made in this application.

[0137] When a terminal moves out of its current service area during the execution of an edge application, the currently serving EAS may be unable to continue serving the currently running application, or the currently serving EAS may no longer be the optimal EAS for serving the terminal, and another EAS may be more suitable for serving the terminal. In this case, a new EAS may be selected to serve the terminal. For ease of explanation, in the embodiments of the present application, the currently serving EAS is referred to as a source EAS (S-EAS), the EES associated with the S-EAS is referred to as an S-ESS, the new EAS is referred to as a target EAS (T-EAS), and the EES associated with the T-EAS is referred to as a T-EES.

[0138] 12. The application context relocation process can be divided into four main stages: Phase 1: Detecting application context relocation At this stage, it may be determined that a context transfer may be required. A detection entity may detect a target event. The target event may include a terminal position change, a terminal user plane path update, etc.

[0139] Phase 2: Deciding on application context relocation At this stage, a decision entity determines that a context transfer is required.

[0140] Phase 3: Executing Application Context Relocation In this stage, the execution entity transfers the application context from the source EAS to the target EAS. Furthermore, the discovery of the target EAS is included, and relevant information of the target EAS may be notified to the terminal, and the EAS (which may be the source EAS or the target EAS) is notified to initiate application context transmission. The EES or EAS performs application function (AF) traffic influence and conveys N6 routing information of the T-EAS.

[0141] Phase 4: Cleaning up after application context relocation Several entities are involved in this step: the EAS notifies the EEC via the EES of the application context transmission result, the AC initiates a new socket connection to the target EAS, etc.

[0142] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this application, the following three points are provided.

[0143] (1) The scenarios in the embodiments disclosed in this application are described using an example of an MEC scenario. It should be noted that the solutions in the embodiments disclosed in this application can also be applied to other scenarios, and the corresponding names can be replaced with the names of the corresponding functions in other scenarios.

[0144] (2) Aspects, embodiments, or features of the present application are presented in the embodiments disclosed herein by describing systems that include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It is recognized and understood that each system may include other devices, components, modules, etc. and / or may not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, combinations of these solutions may also be used.

[0145] (3) The embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the listed message names, and other message names may be substituted. It is to be appreciated and understood that the relevant information contained in a message may alternatively be carried in another message, which is not a limitation of the present application.

[0146] An embodiment of the present application provides an edge application server discovery method, in which an S-EES can receive a first message from a T-EES, and the first message can be used to determine at least one EAS, where the at least one EAS corresponds to a first application. To effectively ensure that the discovered EAS can provide service to the first application in the terminal, the EAS corresponding to the first application can be discovered through an EAS discovery procedure.

[0147] Optionally, the first message further indicates a correspondence between at least one EAS and the first application. Note that in this implementation, the T-EES can obtain an application identifier and / or a corresponding EAS bundle identifier of the first application, and can determine an EAS corresponding to the first application from EASs associated with the T-EES based on the application identifier and / or the EAS bundle identifier. Therefore, since the T-EES can indicate a correspondence between at least one EAS and the first application through the first message, the S-EES can directly determine an EAS corresponding to the first application based on the first message. In other words, the T-EES can determine an EAS corresponding to the first application.

[0148] Optionally, the first message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS. Note that in this implementation, the T-EES does not need to determine the EAS corresponding to the first application, and can directly send the application identifier and / or EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the T-EES to the S-EES. Upon receiving the application identifier and / or EAS bundle identifier, the S-EES can determine the EAS corresponding to the first application from the EAS associated with the T-EES based on the application identifier and / or EAS bundle identifier. In other words, the S-EES can determine the EAS corresponding to the first application.

[0149] Optionally, the first message may include at least one of an EAS discovery response message, an EAS discovery subscription response message, an EAS discovery subscription update response message, or a service discovery response message. Specific bearer messages are not limited. For ease of description, the following embodiments use an example in which the first message is an EAS discovery response message.

[0150] 3A and 3B are schematic flowcharts of an edge application server discovery method according to an embodiment of the present application. Hereinafter, a related embodiment in which a T-EES determines an EAS corresponding to a first application will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the method may include, but is not limited to, steps S301 to S307.

[0151] S301: The S-EES determines at least one of an application identifier of a first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0152] In one optional implementation, the S-EES determines a first application and determines at least one of an application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application. It should be noted that in this embodiment of the present application, the application identifier of the first application is used as an example for explanation, or may be replaced with other application information (e.g., application type). This is not limited. In this embodiment of the present application, the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application is used as an example for explanation, or may be replaced with other bundle information (e.g., EAS bundle type) corresponding to the first application. This is not limited.

[0153] The first application is a specific application in the terminal (e.g., an application in the terminal that currently needs to perform application context relocation, or an application currently served by the S-EAS). For example, the first application is an application in the terminal that currently needs to perform application context relocation. When the S-EES detects an ACR event and performs ACR, it determines the first application in the terminal that currently needs to perform application context relocation.

[0154] Optionally, in some implementations, the S-EES may further obtain at least one of an application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application from the S-EAS. For example, the method may further include step S300 in which the S-EAS sends an EAS discovery request message to the S-EES, where the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of an application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application. When the S-EES receives the EAS discovery request message from the S-EAS, the S-EES can directly obtain at least one of the application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application from the EAS discovery request message. Note that step S301 may be referred to for a related description of determining the application identifier of the first application and / or the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application by the S-EAS. Details will not be described again. It should be noted that the application identifier of the first application and / or the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application may alternatively be carried in another message (e.g., an EAS subscription message), without limitation.

[0155] It should be noted that the function performed in step S300 is similar to the function performed in step S301, and step S300 is an optional step.

[0156] S302: The S-EES sends an EAS discovery request message to the T-EES, and in response, the T-EES receives an EAS discovery request message from the S-EES.

[0157] The EAS discovery request message is used to request to obtain at least one EAS from the T-EES.

[0158] Optionally, the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0159] Optionally, the EAS discovery request message may further include EAS information of the EAS associated with the S-EES, including but not limited to an EAS identifier, an EAS type, an EAS address, and EAS filter parameters (including but not limited to at least one of a category, a service level, and an application feature).

[0160] S303: The T-EES determines an EAS corresponding to the first application based on at least one of an application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0161] In one optional implementation, the T-EES determines an EAS corresponding to the first application based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to an EAS in the T-EES. Specifically, the method includes the step of the T-EES matching an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the T-EES with an application identifier of the first application, respectively. If the application identifier corresponding to the EAS is the same as or matches the application identifier of the first application, the matching is deemed successful, and the T-EES can determine that the successfully matched EAS corresponds to the first application, i.e., that the successfully matched EAS is an EAS that can provide service to the first application.

[0162] In another optional implementation, the T-EES determines an EAS corresponding to the first application based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to an EAS in the T-EES. Specifically, the method includes a step in which the T-EES compares an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the T-EES with an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application. If the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS is the same as or matches the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application, the comparison is deemed successful, and the T-EES can determine that the successfully compared EAS corresponds to the first application, i.e., that the successfully compared EAS is an EAS that can provide service to the first application.

[0163] It should be further noted that in some implementations, the T-EES can further determine the EAS corresponding to the first application based on both the application identifier of the first application and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application, and the details will not be described again.

[0164] S304: The T-EES sends an EAS discovery response message to the S-EES, and the S-EES receives an EAS discovery response message from the T-EES accordingly.

[0165] Optionally, the EAS discovery response message may include EAS information of at least one EAS. The EAS information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of an EAS identifier (EAS ID), an application identifier corresponding to the EAS, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS. Note that in another implementation, the EAS information may further include EAS endpoint information, such as an IP address, a fully qualified domain name (FQDN), a uniform resource locator (URL), and a uniform resource identifier (URI). Note that at least one EAS is an EAS associated with a T-EES.

[0166] Optionally, the EAS discovery response message further indicates a correspondence between the at least one EAS and the first application. Optionally, the EAS discovery response message may explicitly indicate a correspondence between the at least one EAS and the first application. For example, the EAS discovery response message includes an EAS identifier corresponding to an application identifier of the first application. Optionally, the EAS discovery response message may implicitly indicate a correspondence between the at least one EAS and the first application. For example, if the EAS discovery response message indicates that EAS discovery was successful, the at least one EAS in the EAS discovery response message corresponds to the first application. If the EAS discovery response message indicates that EAS discovery was unsuccessful, the at least one EAS in the EAS discovery response message does not correspond to the first application.

[0167] Optionally, the EAS discovery response message may not indicate the correspondence between at least one EAS and the first application. Instead, the first indication information indicates the correspondence between at least one EAS and the first application. Details will not be described in related embodiments. It should be noted that the first indication information may be carried in the EAS discovery response message or in another message. This is not limited.

[0168] S305: The S-EES determines the T-EAS based on the EAS discovery response message, and transmits the EAS information of the determined T-EAS to the S-EAS.

[0169] It should be noted that there may be one or more EASs corresponding to the first application. When there is one EAS corresponding to the first application and the S-EES receives an EAS discovery response message, the S-EES may determine the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the EAS discovery response message, directly use the EAS as the T-EAS, and send the EAS information of the determined T-EAS to the S-EAS. When there are multiple EASs corresponding to the first application and the S-EES receives an EAS discovery response message, the S-EES may determine multiple EASs corresponding to the first application based on the EAS discovery response message, select one EAS from the multiple EASs as the T-EAS based on a specific rule or randomly, and send the EAS information of the determined T-EAS to the S-EAS.

[0170] It should be noted that in some embodiments, step S305 may not be performed in the method. In other words, step S305 is optional. This is not a limitation.

[0171] S306: The S-EES sends an EAS discovery response message to the S-EAS, and upon receiving the EAS discovery response message, the S-EAS determines the T-EAS based on the EAS discovery response message.

[0172] Please note that for the related description of the EAS discovery response message, please refer to step S304, and the details will not be described again.

[0173] Please note that for related descriptions of determining the T-EAS by the S-EAS based on the EAS discovery response message, please refer to step S305, and the details will not be described again.

[0174] It should be noted that step S305 and step S306 are parallel steps. In the present method, only step S305 may be performed, and step S306 may not be performed, or only step S306 may be performed, and step S305 may not be performed, or step S305 and step S306 may be performed simultaneously. In other words, the function performed in step S306 is the same as the function performed in step S305, and step S306 is an optional step. For example, if step S300 is performed in the present method, step S306 may be performed in the present method.

[0175] S307: The S-EAS sends the application context to the T-EAS, and when the AC is connected to the T-EAS, the T-EAS determines the EAS bundle required by the AC based on at least one of the application identifier of the T-EAS and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the T-EAS, and invokes the EAS in the EAS bundle to provide services to the AC.

[0176] It should be noted that in some implementations, step S307 may not be performed in the method, which is not limited thereto.

[0177] 3A and 3B are described using an example in which the first message is an EAS discovery response message. If the first message is not an EAS discovery response message, the method of FIG. 3A may not include step S302. This is not a limitation.

[0178] 3A does not include step S302, the T-EES may obtain the application identifier of the first application and / or the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application in another manner. For example, the T-EES may obtain the application identifier of the first application and / or the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application through an EAS subscription message. This is not limited to this.

[0179] In order to effectively ensure that the EAS discovered in the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process can provide service to the first application in the terminal, in this implementation, the T-EES can determine the EAS corresponding to the first application based on at least one of the application identifier of the first application and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application, and the EAS corresponding to the first application can be discovered in the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process, thereby avoiding EAS discovery failures and avoiding repeated execution of the EAS discovery procedure, thereby reducing service interruption delays and improving the user experience of the application.

[0180] 4A and 4B are schematic flowcharts of another edge application server discovery method according to an embodiment of the present application. Hereinafter, a related embodiment in which an S-EES determines an EAS corresponding to a first application will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the method may include, but is not limited to, steps S401 to S408.

[0181] S401: The S-EES determines at least one of an application identifier of a first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0182] Optionally, in some implementations, the S-EES may further obtain at least one of an application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application from the S-EAS. For example, the method may further include step S400 in which the S-EAS sends an EAS discovery request message to the S-EES, where the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of an application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application. When the S-EES receives the EAS discovery request message from the S-EAS, the S-EES can directly obtain at least one of the application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application from the EAS discovery request message. For related descriptions, please refer to step S300 and / or step S301. The details will not be described again. It should be noted that the function performed in step S400 is similar to the function performed in step S401, and step S400 is an optional step.

[0183] S402: The S-EES sends an EAS discovery request message to the T-EES, and in response, the T-EES receives an EAS discovery request message from the S-EES.

[0184] The EAS discovery request message is used to request to obtain at least one EAS from the T-EES.

[0185] Optionally, the EAS discovery request message includes EAS information of the EAS associated with the S-EES. For a related description of the EAS information, please refer to step S302. The details will not be described again.

[0186] S403: The T-EES sends an EAS discovery response message to the S-EES, and the S-EES receives an EAS discovery response message from the T-EES accordingly.

[0187] Optionally, the EAS discovery response message includes EAS information of at least one EAS. For a related description of the EAS information, please refer to step S304. The details will not be described again. It should be noted that the at least one EAS is an EAS associated with the T-EES.

[0188] Optionally, the EAS discovery response message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS. Note that in some implementations, at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS may also be carried in the EAS information. This is not limited thereto. Note that EAS refers to an EAS associated with the T-EES.

[0189] S404: The S-EES determines an EAS corresponding to the first application from at least one EAS based on at least one of an application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0190] At least one EAS is an EAS associated with the T-EES.

[0191] Please note that for the related description of step S404, please refer to step S303, and the details will not be described again.

[0192] S405: The S-EES determines the T-EAS and transmits the EAS information of the determined T-EAS to the S-EAS.

[0193] It should be noted that there may be one or more EASs corresponding to the first application. If the S-EES determines in step S404 that there is one EAS corresponding to the first application, the S-EES may directly use the EAS as the T-EAS and send the EAS information of the determined T-EAS to the S-EAS. If the S-EES determines in step S404 that there are multiple EASs corresponding to the first application, the S-EES may select one EAS from the multiple EASs as the T-EAS based on a specific rule or randomly and send the EAS information of the determined T-EAS to the S-EAS.

[0194] S406: The S-EAS judges the T-EAS.

[0195] It should be noted that there may be one or more EASs corresponding to the first application. If the S-EES determines in step S404 that there is one EAS corresponding to the first application, the S-EES may transmit EAS information of that EAS to the S-EAS, and the S-EAS may directly use that EAS as the T-EAS. If the S-EES determines in step S404 that there are multiple EASs corresponding to the first application, the S-EES may transmit EAS information of the multiple EASs to the S-EAS. Upon receiving the EAS information of the multiple EASs, the S-EAS may select one EAS from the multiple EASs as the T-EAS based on a specific rule or randomly.

[0196] It should be noted that when the S-EAS receives the EAS information of the T-EAS, the S-EAS can determine the T-EAS based on the EAS information of the T-EAS received.

[0197] It should be noted that in some optional implementations, step S406 is an optional step. For example, if step S400 is performed in the method, step S406 is performed in the method. If step S400 is not performed in the method, step S406 is not performed.

[0198] S407: The S-EES sends an EAS discovery response message to the S-EAS, and when the S-EAS receives the EAS discovery response message, the S-EAS determines the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the EAS discovery response message and determines the T-EAS.

[0199] Please note that for the related description of the EAS discovery response message, please refer to step S403, and the details will not be described again.

[0200] It should be noted that for a related description of determining the T-EAS by the S-EAS based on the EAS discovery response message, reference can be made to step S404. The details will not be described again. It should be noted that the function performed in step S407 is similar to the function performed in steps S404 to S406, and step S407 is an optional step. For example, if the S-EES cannot determine the application identifier corresponding to the first application and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application, step S404 cannot be performed. In this case, in the present method, step S407 may be performed to determine the EAS corresponding to the first application.

[0201] It should be noted that in this method, when step S407 is performed, step S400 and / or step S401 may not be performed. Specifically, when step S400 and / or step S401 are not performed, the S-EES can directly send at least one application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS sent by the T-EES to the S-EAS, and the S-EAS determines the T-EAS.

[0202] S408: The S-EAS sends the application context to the T-EAS, and when the AC is connected to the T-EAS, the T-EAS determines the EAS bundle required by the AC based on at least one of the application identifier of the T-EAS and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the T-EAS, and invokes the EAS in the EAS bundle to provide services to the AC.

[0203] It should be noted that in some implementations, step S408 may not be performed in the method, which is not limited thereto.

[0204] 4A and 4B are described using an example in which the first message is an EAS discovery response message. If the first message is not an EAS discovery response message, the method of FIG. 4A may not include step S402. This is not a limitation.

[0205] In order to effectively ensure that the EAS discovered in the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process can provide service to the first application in the terminal, in this implementation, the S-EES can determine the EAS corresponding to the first application based on at least one of the application identifier of the first application and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application, and the EAS corresponding to the first application can be discovered in the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process, thereby avoiding EAS discovery failures and avoiding repeated execution of the EAS discovery procedure, thereby reducing service interruption delays and improving the user experience of the application.

[0206] It should be noted that the method of Figures 3A and 3B and the method of Figures 4A and 4B are parallel solutions. Only the method of Figures 3A and 3B may be performed, or only the method of Figures 4A and 4B may be performed, or both the method of Figures 3A and 3B and the method of Figures 4A and 4B may be performed. This is not a limitation of the present application.

[0207] An embodiment of the present application further provides another edge application server discovery method, in which an EAS associated with an EES discovered in an EES discovery procedure can effectively ensure that the EAS can provide service to a first application in a terminal, the method comprising: an S-EES can receive a second message from an ECS, the second message can be used to determine at least one EES, and the EAS associated with the at least one EES corresponds to the first application.

[0208] Optionally, the second message further indicates a correspondence between the first application and an EAS associated with at least one EES. Note that in this implementation, the ECS can obtain an application identifier and / or a corresponding EAS bundle identifier of the first application and determine an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the application identifier and / or the EAS bundle identifier. Therefore, since the ECS can indicate a correspondence between the first application and an EAS associated with at least one EES in the second message, the S-EES can directly determine an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the second message. In other words, the ECS can determine an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application.

[0209] Optionally, the second message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the at least one EES. Note that in this implementation, the ECS does not need to determine an EAS corresponding to the first application, and can directly send the application identifier and / or EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EAS on the ECS to the S-EES. Upon receiving the application identifier and / or EAS bundle identifier, the S-EES can determine, from the EES on the ECS, an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the application identifier and / or EAS bundle identifier. In other words, the S-EES can determine an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application.

[0210] Optionally, the second message may include at least one of an EES discovery response message, an EES discovery subscription response message, an EES discovery subscription update response message, or a service discovery response message. Specific bearer messages are not limited. For ease of description, the following embodiments use an example in which the second message is an EES discovery response message.

[0211] 5 is a schematic flowchart of another edge application server discovery method according to an embodiment of the present application. Hereinafter, a related embodiment in which an ECS determines an EES associated with an EAS corresponding to a first application will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the method may include, but is not limited to, steps S501 to S505.

[0212] S501: The S-EES determines at least one of an application identifier of a first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0213] Optionally, in some implementations, the S-EES may further obtain at least one of an application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application from the S-EAS. For example, the method may further include step S500 in which the S-EAS sends an EAS discovery request message to the S-EES, where the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of an application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application. When the S-EES receives the EAS discovery request message from the S-EAS, the S-EES can directly obtain at least one of the application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application from the EAS discovery request message. For related descriptions, please refer to step S300 and / or step S301. The details will not be described again. It should be noted that the function performed in step S500 is similar to the function performed in step S501, and step S500 is an optional step.

[0214] S502: The S-EES sends an EES discovery request message to the ECS, and in response, the ECS receives an EES discovery request message from the S-EES.

[0215] The EES discovery request message is used to request to obtain at least one EES from the ECS.

[0216] Optionally, the EES discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0217] Optionally, the EES discovery request message may further include EAS information of the EAS associated with the S-EES. For a related description of the EAS information, please refer to step S302. The details will not be described again.

[0218] Optionally, the EES discovery request message may further include a terminal identifier of the terminal associated with the S-EES.

[0219] S503: The ECS determines an EES associated with an EAS corresponding to the first application based on at least one of the application identifier of the first application and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application. In one optional implementation, the ECS determines an EES associated with an EAS corresponding to the first application based on the application identifier of the first application and the application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES. Specifically, the method includes a step in which the ECS matches the application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EAS on the ECS with the application identifier of the first application, respectively. If the application identifier corresponding to the EAS is the same as or matches the application identifier of the first application, the matching is deemed successful, and the ECS determines that the successfully matched EAS corresponds to the first application, and can determine an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application, i.e., the EES corresponding to the first application. In other words, the EAS associated with the EES is an EAS that can provide services to the first application.

[0220] In another optional implementation, the ECS determines an EAS associated with an EAS corresponding to the first application based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the EES. Specifically, the method includes a step in which the ECS compares the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EAS on the ECS with the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application. If the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS is the same as or matches the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application, the comparison is deemed successful, and the ECS determines that the successfully compared EAS corresponds to the first application and can determine the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application, i.e., the EES corresponding to the first application. In other words, the EAS associated with the EAS is an EAS that can provide services to the first application.

[0221] It should be noted that in some implementations, the ECS can further determine the EAS corresponding to the first application based on both the application identifier of the first application and the corresponding EAS bundle identifier, and the details will not be described again.

[0222] It should be noted that the "EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application" described in this embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as the "EES corresponding to the first application", without being limited thereto.

[0223] S504: The ECS sends an EES discovery response message to the S-EES, and in response, the S-EES receives an EES discovery response message from the ECS.

[0224] Optionally, the EES discovery response message may include EES information of at least one EES. The EES information includes, but is not limited to, an EES identifier (EES ID), EAS information of an EAS associated with the EES, etc. The EAS information includes, but is not limited to, at least one of an EAS identifier (EAS ID), an application identifier corresponding to the EAS, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS. Note that other descriptions of the EAS information can refer to step S304. Details will not be described again. Optionally, the application identifier and / or EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS may alternatively be directly carried in the EES discovery response message or the EES information. This is not limited thereto.

[0225] Optionally, the EES discovery response message further indicates a correspondence between the first application and an EAS associated with the at least one EES. Optionally, the EES discovery response message may explicitly indicate a correspondence between the first application and an EAS associated with the at least one EES. For example, the EES discovery response message includes an EAS identifier corresponding to an application identifier of the first application and an EES identifier corresponding to the EAS identifier. Optionally, the EES discovery response message may implicitly indicate a correspondence between the first application and an EAS associated with the at least one EES. For example, if the EES discovery response message indicates that EES discovery was successful, the at least one EES in the EES discovery response message is an EAS associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application. If the EES discovery response message indicates that EES discovery was unsuccessful, none of the at least one EAS in the EES discovery response message is an EAS associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application.

[0226] Optionally, the EES discovery response message may not indicate the correspondence between the first application and the EAS associated with the at least one EES. Instead, the second indication information indicates the correspondence between the first application and the EAS associated with the at least one EES. Details will not be described in related embodiments. It should be noted that the second indication information may be carried in the EES discovery response message or in another message. This is not limited.

[0227] Note that at least one EES is an EES on an ECS.

[0228] S505: The S-EES determines the T-EES based on the EES discovery response message.

[0229] It should be noted that there may be one or more EESs associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application. When there is one EES and the S-EES receives the EES discovery response message, the S-EES may determine the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the EES discovery response message and directly use the EES as the T-EES. When there are multiple EESs and the S-EES receives the EES discovery response message, the S-EES may determine the multiple EESs associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the EES discovery response message and select one EES from the multiple EESs as the T-EES based on a specific rule or randomly.

[0230] It should be noted that the method of Fig. 5 is described using an example in which the second message is an EES discovery response message. If the second message is not an EES discovery response message, the method of Fig. 5 may not include step S502. This is not a limitation.

[0231] 5 does not include step S502, the ECS may obtain the application identifier of the first application or the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application in another manner. For example, the ECS may obtain the application identifier of the first application or the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application through an EAS subscription message. This is not a limitation.

[0232] To effectively ensure that the EAS on the EES discovered in the EES discovery procedure of the application context relocation process can provide service to the first application in the terminal, in this implementation, the ECS can determine the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on at least one of the application identifier of the first application and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application, and the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application can be discovered in the EES discovery procedure of the application context relocation process, thereby avoiding EES discovery failures and repeated execution of the EES discovery procedure, reducing service interruption delays, and improving the user experience of the application.In addition, it can also be effectively ensured that the EAS discovered in the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process can provide service to the first application in the terminal, thereby avoiding EAS discovery failures and repeated execution of the EAS discovery procedure, reducing service interruption delays, and improving the user experience of the application.

[0233] 6 is a schematic flowchart of another edge application server discovery method according to an embodiment of the present application. Hereinafter, a related embodiment in which an S-EES determines an EES associated with an EAS corresponding to a first application will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the method may include, but is not limited to, steps S601 to S604.

[0234] S601: The S-EES determines at least one of an application identifier of a first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0235] Optionally, in some implementations, the S-EES may further obtain at least one of an application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application from the S-EAS. For example, the method may further include step S600 in which the S-EAS sends an EAS discovery request message to the S-EES, where the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of an application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application. When the S-EES receives the EAS discovery request message from the S-EAS, the S-EES can directly obtain at least one of the application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application from the EAS discovery request message. For related descriptions, please refer to step S300 and / or step S301. The details will not be described again. It should be noted that the function performed in step S600 is similar to the function performed in step S601, and step S600 is an optional step. S602: The S-EES sends an EES discovery request message to the ECS, and in response, the ECS receives an EES discovery request message from the S-EES.

[0236] The EES discovery request message is used to request to obtain at least one EES from the ECS.

[0237] Optionally, the EES discovery request message may further include EAS information of the EAS associated with the S-EES. For a related description of the EAS information, please refer to step S302. The details will not be described again.

[0238] Optionally, the EES discovery request message may further include a terminal identifier of the terminal associated with the S-EES.

[0239] S603: The ECS sends an EES discovery response message to the S-EES, and in response, the S-EES receives an EAS discovery response message from the ECS.

[0240] Optionally, the EES discovery response message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the at least one EES. Note that in another implementation, the application identifier and / or the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the at least one EES may also be carried in the EES information or the EAS information. This is not limited thereto. Note that the at least one EES is an EES on an ECS.

[0241] S604: The S-EES determines an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application from at least one EES based on at least one of the application identifier of the first application and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application, and determines a T-EES.

[0242] In one optional implementation, the S-EES determines an EES associated with an EAS corresponding to the first application based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with at least one EES. In another optional implementation, the S-EES determines an EES associated with an EAS corresponding to the first application based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with at least one EES. For related descriptions, see step S503. Details will not be described again.

[0243] It should be noted that the "EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application" described in this embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as the "EES corresponding to the first application", without being limited thereto.

[0244] At least one EES is an EES on the ECS.

[0245] It should be noted that there may be one or more EESs associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application. If the S-EES determines that there is one EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application, the S-EES may directly use that EES as the T-EES. If the S-EES determines that there are multiple EESs associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application, the S-EES may select one EES from the multiple EESs as the T-EES based on specific rules or randomly.

[0246] It should be noted that the method of Fig. 6 is described using an example in which the second message is an EES discovery response message. If the second message is not an EES discovery response message, the method of Fig. 6 may not include step S601. This is not a limitation.

[0247] To effectively ensure that the EAS on the EES discovered in the EES discovery procedure of the application context relocation process can provide service to the first application in the terminal, in this implementation, the S-EES can determine an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application from at least one EES based on at least one of the application identifier of the first application and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application, and the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application can be discovered in the EES discovery procedure of the application context relocation process, thereby avoiding EES discovery failures and repeated execution of the EES discovery procedure, reducing service interruption delays, and improving the application usage experience.In addition, it can also effectively ensure that the EAS discovered in the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process can provide service to the first application in the terminal, thereby avoiding EAS discovery failures and repeated execution of the EAS discovery procedure, reducing service interruption delays, and improving the application usage experience.

[0248] It should be noted that the method of Figure 5 and the method of Figure 6 are parallel solutions. Only the method of Figure 5 may be performed, or only the method of Figure 6 may be performed, or both the method of Figure 5 and the method of Figure 6 may be performed. This is not a limitation in this application.

[0249] It should be noted that the methods of FIGS. 5 and 6 may also be used in combination with the methods of FIGS. 3A and 3B and 6, respectively. For example, the method of FIG. 5 may be used in combination with the method of FIGS. 3A and 3B. The EES discovery procedure of the application context relocation process of FIG. 5 is performed first, and then the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process of FIGS. 3A and 3B is performed. As another example, the method of FIG. 6 may be used in combination with the method of FIGS. 4A and 4B. The EES discovery procedure of the application context relocation process of FIG. 6 is performed first, and then the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process of FIGS. 4A and 4B is performed. As another example, the method of FIG. 6 may be used in combination with the method of FIGS. 3A and 3B. The EES discovery procedure of the application context relocation process of FIG. 6 is performed first, and then the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process of FIGS. 3A and 3B is performed.

[0250] The present application also provides another edge application server discovery method, which can be applied to an initial EES discovery procedure. To effectively ensure that an EAS associated with an EES discovered in the initial EES discovery procedure can provide a service to a second application in the terminal, the method includes: an EEC receiving a third message from an ECS, and the third message can be used to determine at least one EES.

[0251] Optionally, the third message further indicates a correspondence between the second application and an EAS associated with at least one EES. Note that in this implementation, the ECS can obtain an application identifier and / or a corresponding EAS bundle identifier of the second application and determine an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on the application identifier and / or the EAS bundle identifier. Therefore, since the ECS can indicate a correspondence between the second application and an EAS associated with at least one EES in the third message, the ECS can directly determine an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on the third message. In other words, the ECS can determine an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application.

[0252] Optionally, the third message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the at least one EES. Note that in this implementation, the ECS does not need to determine an EAS corresponding to the second application, and can directly send the application identifier and / or EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES on the ECS to the EEC. Upon receiving the application identifier and / or EAS bundle identifier, the EEC can determine, from the EES on the ECS, an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on the application identifier and / or EAS bundle identifier. In other words, the EEC can determine an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application.

[0253] Optionally, the third message may include at least one of an edge computing platform discovery response message, an edge computing platform discovery subscription response message, an edge computing platform discovery subscription update response message, and a service discovery response message. For ease of description, the following embodiments use an example in which the third message is an edge computing platform discovery response message.

[0254] 7 is a schematic flowchart of another edge application server discovery method according to an embodiment of the present application. Hereinafter, a related embodiment in which an ECS determines an EES associated with an EAS corresponding to a second application will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the method may include, but is not limited to, steps S701 to S705.

[0255] S701: The EEC determines at least one of an application identifier of a second application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application.

[0256] The second application is any application in the terminal. Note that the second application and the first application may be the same or different.

[0257] S702: The EEC sends an edge computing platform discovery request message to the ECS, and in response, the ECS receives an edge computing platform discovery request message from the EEC.

[0258] The edge computing platform discovery request message is used to request to obtain at least one EES from the ECS.

[0259] Optionally, the edge computing platform discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the second application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application. It should be noted that the application identifier of the second application and / or the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application may be carried directly in the edge computing platform discovery request message, or may be carried in an application message of the second application within the edge computing platform discovery request message.

[0260] Optionally, the edge computing platform discovery request message may further include an EAS identifier.

[0261] S703: The ECS determines an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on at least one of an application identifier of the second application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application.

[0262] In one optional implementation, the ECS determines an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on the application identifier of the second application and the application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES on the ECS. In another optional implementation, the ECS determines an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES on the ECS. For related descriptions, see step S503. Details will not be described again.

[0263] It should be noted that the "EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application" described in this embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as the "EES corresponding to the second application". This is not limited to this. S704: The ECS sends an edge computing platform discovery response message to the EEC, and in response, the EEC receives an edge computing platform discovery response message from the ECS.

[0264] Optionally, the edge computing platform discovery response message may include EES information of at least one EES. The EES information includes, but is not limited to, an EES identifier (EES ID), EAS information of an EAS associated with the EES, etc. The EAS information includes, but is not limited to, at least one of an EAS identifier (EAS ID), an application identifier corresponding to the EAS, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS. Note that other descriptions of the EAS information may refer to step S304. Details will not be described again. Optionally, the application identifier and / or EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS may alternatively be directly carried in the edge computing platform discovery response message or the EES information. This is not limited thereto.

[0265] Optionally, the edge computing platform discovery response message further indicates a correspondence between the second application and an EAS associated with the at least one EES. Optionally, the edge computing platform discovery response message may explicitly indicate a correspondence between the second application and an EAS associated with the at least one EES. For example, the edge computing platform discovery response message includes an EAS identifier corresponding to an application identifier of the second application and an EES identifier corresponding to the EAS identifier. Optionally, the edge computing platform discovery response message may implicitly indicate a correspondence between the second application and an EAS associated with the at least one EES. For example, if the edge computing platform discovery response message indicates that EES discovery was successful, the at least one EES in the edge computing platform discovery response message is an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application. If the edge computing platform discovery response message indicates that EES discovery was unsuccessful, none of the at least one EAS in the edge computing platform discovery response message is an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application.

[0266] Optionally, the edge computing platform discovery response message may not indicate the correspondence between the EAS associated with the at least one EES and the second application. Instead, the third indication information indicates the correspondence between the second application and the EAS associated with the at least one EES. Details will not be described in related embodiments. It should be noted that the third indication information may be carried in the edge computing platform discovery response message or in another message. This is not limited.

[0267] Note that at least one EES is an EES on an ECS.

[0268] S705: The EEC determines an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on the edge computing platform discovery response message.

[0269] It should be noted that in some embodiments, step S705 may not be performed in the method, and this is not a limitation.

[0270] It should be noted that the method of FIG. 7 is described using an example in which the third message is an edge computing platform discovery response message. If the third message is not an edge computing platform discovery response message, the method of FIG. 7 may not include step S702. This is not limited thereto.

[0271] 7 does not include step S702, the ECS may obtain the application identifier of the second application or the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application in another manner. For example, the ECS may obtain the application identifier of the second application or the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application through an EAS subscription message. This is not a limitation.

[0272] In order to effectively ensure that the EAS associated with the EES discovered in the initial EES discovery procedure can provide services to the second application in the terminal, in this implementation, the ECS can determine the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on at least one of the application identifier of the second application and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application, thereby avoiding EES discovery failures and repeatedly executing the EES discovery procedure, reducing service interruption delays, and improving the application usage experience.In addition, it can also effectively ensure that the EAS discovered in the initial EAS discovery procedure can provide services to the second application in the terminal, thereby avoiding EAS discovery failures and repeatedly executing the EAS discovery procedure, reducing service interruption delays, and improving the application usage experience.

[0273] 8 is a schematic flowchart of another edge application server discovery method according to an embodiment of the present application. Hereinafter, a related embodiment in which an EEC determines an EES associated with an EAS corresponding to a second application will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the method may include, but is not limited to, steps S801 to S804.

[0274] S801: The EEC determines at least one of an application identifier of a second application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application.

[0275] Please note that for related explanations, please refer to step S701, and the details will not be described again.

[0276] S802: The EEC sends an edge computing platform discovery request message to the ECS, and in response, the ECS receives an edge computing platform discovery request message from the EEC.

[0277] The edge computing platform discovery request message is used to request to obtain at least one EES from the ECS.

[0278] Optionally, the EES discovery request message may further include an EAS identifier.

[0279] S803: The ECS sends an edge computing platform discovery response message to the EEC, and in response, the EEC receives an edge computing platform discovery response message from the ECS.

[0280] Optionally, the edge computing platform discovery response message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the at least one EES and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the at least one EES. Note that in another implementation, the application identifier and / or the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the at least one EES may also be carried in the EES information or the EAS information. This is not limited thereto. Note that the at least one EES is an EES on an ECS.

[0281] S804: The EEC determines, from the at least one EES, an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on at least one of an application identifier of the second application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application.

[0282] In one optional implementation, the EEC determines an EES associated with an EAS corresponding to the second application based on an application identifier of the second application and an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with at least one EES. In another optional implementation, the EEC determines an EES associated with an EAS corresponding to the second application based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with at least one EES. For related descriptions, see step S503. Details will not be described again.

[0283] It should be noted that the "EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application" described in this embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as "EES corresponding to the second application", without being limited thereto.

[0284] At least one EES is an EES on the ECS.

[0285] It should be noted that the method of FIG. 8 is described using an example in which the third message is an edge computing platform discovery response message. If the third message is not an edge computing platform discovery response message, the method of FIG. 8 may not include step S802. This is not limited thereto.

[0286] To effectively ensure that the EAS associated with the EES discovered in the initial EES discovery procedure can provide service to the first application, in this implementation, the EEC can determine the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on at least one of the application identifier of the second application and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application, and the EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application can be discovered in the initial EES discovery procedure, thereby avoiding EES discovery failures and repeated execution of the EES discovery procedure, reducing service interruption delays, and improving the application usage experience.In addition, it can also be effectively ensured that the EAS discovered in the initial EAS discovery procedure can provide service to the first application in the terminal, thereby avoiding EAS discovery failures and repeated execution of the EAS discovery procedure, reducing service interruption delays, and improving the application usage experience.

[0287] It should be noted that the method of Figure 7 and the method of Figure 8 are parallel solutions. Only the method of Figure 7 may be performed, or only the method of Figure 8 may be performed, or both the method of Figure 7 and the method of Figure 8 may be performed. This is not a limitation of the present application.

[0288] It should be noted that the methods of Figures 7 and 8 may also be used in combination with at least one of the methods of Figures 3A and 3B through 6. For example, the method of Figure 7 may be used in combination with the methods of Figures 3A and 3B and 5. The initial EES discovery procedure of Figure 7 is performed first, then the EES discovery procedure of the application context relocation process of Figure 5 is performed, and finally the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process shown in Figure 5 is performed. As another example, the method shown in Figure 8 may be used in combination with the methods shown in Figures 4A and 4B and 6. The initial EES discovery procedure of Figure 8 is performed first, then the EES discovery procedure of the application context relocation process of Figure 6 is performed, and finally the EAS discovery procedure of the application context relocation process of Figures 3A and 3B is performed.

[0289] FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of yet another edge application server discovery method. In this method, the EAS can upload information about applications that the EAS can provide services to the EES. The method of FIG. 9 can be used in combination with at least one of the methods of FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B to FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 9, the method can include, but is not limited to, steps S901 to S903.

[0290] S901: The EAS sends a fourth EAS message to the EES, and the EES receives a fourth message from the EAS accordingly.

[0291] Optionally, the fourth message may include EAS information, which may include, but is not limited to, at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS. Note that in some implementations, the EAS information may further include, but is not limited to, an EAS identifier, an EAS address, an EAS type, an EAS feature, etc. Note that in some implementations, the application identifier corresponding to the EAS and / or the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS may alternatively be directly carried in the fourth message. This is not limited to.

[0292] It should be noted that the EAS can be any EAS. For example, the EAS can be an S-EAS. The S-EAS can send a fourth message to the S-EES, and the S-EES can receive the fourth message from the S-EAS accordingly. As another example, the EAS can be a T-EAS. The T-EAS can send a fourth message to the T-EES, and the T-EES can receive the fourth message from the T-EAS accordingly.

[0293] Note that there can be at least one EAS.

[0294] Optionally, the fourth message may be an EAS registration request message. If the EES receives an EAS registration request message from at least one EAS, the method may further include S902.

[0295] S902: The EES separately sends a corresponding EAS registration response message to the EAS, and the EAS receives an EAS registration response message from the EES accordingly.

[0296] Optionally, the EAS registration response message may include an EAS registration result, where the registration result indicates whether the EAS registration was successful or failed. Optionally, if the registration result indicates that the EAS registration was unsuccessful, the EAS registration response message may further include a cause of the registration failure.

[0297] It should be noted that in some implementations, information about the EAS on the EES may alternatively be configured or pre-configured by a network management system, without limitation. In this case, the EAS may send a registration request message to the EES.

[0298] In some implementations, the method may further include step S903 in which the EES determines whether an EAS bundle corresponding to the EAS is included in the EAS associated with the EES.

[0299] In one optional implementation, if an EAS bundle corresponding to the EAS is not included in the EAS associated with the EES, the EES updates the application identifier corresponding to the EAS, and an EAS bundle corresponding to the updated application is included in the EAS associated with the EES.

[0300] In one optional implementation, if an EAS bundle corresponding to an EAS is not included in an EAS associated with the EES, the EES sends an EAS query request message to another EES other than the EES, the EAS query request message includes an EAS identifier of each EAS in the target EAS bundle, and an EAS other than the EAS associated with the EES exists in the target EAS bundle, and the EES receives an EAS query response message from the other EES.

[0301] Optionally, the EAS query response message includes an EAS query result, which may indicate that the EAS query was successful or that the EAS query was unsuccessful.

[0302] Optionally, the EAS query response message may alternatively include queryable EAS information (eg, an EAS identifier).

[0303] It should be noted that the EAS associated with the EES may alternatively be replaced by an EAS in the EDN or by an EAS within a specific range, without limitation.

[0304] In this implementation, the EAS can upload EAS information to the EES using the fourth information, so that the EES can obtain EAS information about the EAS associated with the EAS and then perform at least one of the following: an initial EES discovery procedure, an initial EAS discovery procedure, an EES discovery procedure for an application context relocation process, and an EAS discovery procedure for an application context relocation process. Additionally, the EAS can further determine whether the EAS associated with the EAS can support the EAS-enabled application based on the EAS bundle required by the EAS-enabled application, and trigger the EAS to update its EAS information, i.e., to update the applications that the EAS can actually provide services within its EAS range. In this way, the correspondence between the EAS and the application is guaranteed.

[0305] FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of yet another edge application server discovery method. In this method, an EES can upload information about applications that an EAS associated with the EES can provide services to an ECS. The method of FIG. 10 can be used in combination with at least one of the methods of FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B to FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 10 can include, but is not limited to, S1001 and S1002.

[0306] S1001: The EES sends a fifth EES message to the ECS, and in response, the ECS receives a fifth message from the EES.

[0307] Optionally, the fifth message may include, but is not limited to, EES information. The EES information may include, but is not limited to, EAS information of an EAS associated with the EAS. The EAS information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS. Note that in some implementations, the EES information may further include, but is not limited to, an EES identifier. Note that in some implementations, the EAS information may further include, but is not limited to, an EAS identifier.

[0308] It should be noted that in some implementations, an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with an EES and / or an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with an EES may alternatively be carried directly in the fifth message, without limitation.

[0309] Note that the EES can be any EES. For example, the EES can be an S-EES. The S-EES can send a fifth message to the ECS, and the ECS can receive the fifth message from the S-EES accordingly. As another example, the EES can be a T-EES. The T-EES can send a fifth message to the ECS, and the ECS can receive the fifth message from the T-EES accordingly.

[0310] Note that there can be at least one EES.

[0311] Optionally, the fifth message may be an EES registration request message. If the ECS receives an EES registration request message from at least one EES, the method may further include S1002.

[0312] S1002: The ECS separately sends a corresponding EES registration response message to the EES, and the EES receives an EES registration response message from the ECS accordingly.

[0313] Optionally, the EES registration response message includes an EES registration result, which indicates whether the EES registration was successful or failed. Optionally, if the registration result indicates that the EES registration was unsuccessful, the EES registration response message may further include a cause of the registration failure.

[0314] It should be noted that in some implementations, the EES information on the ECS may alternatively be configured by a network management system or may be pre-configured, without limitation, in which case the EES may send a registration request message to the ECS.

[0315] In this implementation, the EES can upload EES information to the ECS in the fifth message, so that the ECS can obtain the EAS information associated with each EES and then perform at least one of the initial EES discovery procedure, the initial EAS discovery procedure, the EES discovery procedure for the application context relocation process, and the EAS discovery procedure for the application context relocation process.

[0316] To implement the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application, the S-EES, T-EES, ECS, S-EAS, EAS, or EES may include a hardware structure and / or a software module for implementing the aforementioned functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module. Whether a function among the aforementioned functions is implemented using a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0317] As shown in FIG. 11 , an embodiment of the present application provides an edge application server discovery apparatus 1100. The apparatus 1100 may be a component (e.g., an integrated circuit or chip) of an S-EES, a T-EES, an ECS, an S-EAS, an EEC, an EAS, or an EES. Alternatively, the apparatus 1100 may be another communication unit configured to implement a method in a method embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 1100 may include a communication unit 1101 and a processing unit 1102. The processing unit 1102 is configured to control the communication unit 1101 to perform data / signaling transmission and reception. Optionally, the apparatus 1100 may further include a storage unit 1103.

[0318] In one possible design, the communication unit 1101 is configured to receive a first message from the T-EES, the first message being used to determine an EAS, and at least one EAS corresponding to a first application.

[0319] In one optional implementation, the first message further indicates a correspondence between at least one EAS and the first application.

[0320] In one optional implementation, the first message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0321] In one optional implementation, after the communication unit 1101 is configured to receive a first message from the T-EES, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to determine an EAS corresponding to the first application from the at least one EAS based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0322] In one optional implementation, after the communication unit 1101 is configured to receive a first message from the T-EES, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to determine an EAS corresponding to the first application from the at least one EAS based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0323] In one optional implementation, before the communication unit 1101 is configured to receive the first message from the T-EES, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to send an EAS discovery request message to the T-EES, where the EAS discovery request message is used to request obtaining at least one EAS from the T-EES, and the first message is an EAS discovery response message.

[0324] In one optional implementation, the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0325] In one optional implementation, before the communication unit 1101 is configured to send an EAS discovery request message to the T-EES, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to receive a second message from the ECS, where the second message is used to determine at least one EES, where the EAS associated with the at least one EES corresponds to a first application, where the at least one EES corresponds to the first application, and where the at least one EES includes a T-EES.

[0326] In one optional implementation, the second message further indicates a correspondence between the first application and at least one EAS associated with the EES.

[0327] In one optional implementation, the second message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES.

[0328] In one optional implementation, after the communication unit 1101 is configured to receive the second message from the ECS, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to determine, from the at least one EES, an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0329] In one optional implementation, after the communication unit 1101 is configured to receive the second message from the ECS, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to determine, from the at least one EES, an EAS associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0330] In one optional implementation, before the communication unit 1101 is configured to receive the second message from the ECS, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to send an EES discovery request message to the ECS, where the EES discovery request message is used to request obtaining at least one EES from the ECS, and the second message is an EES discovery response message.

[0331] In one optional implementation, the EES discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0332] In one optional implementation, before the communication unit 1101 is configured to send an EAS discovery request message to the T-EES, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to receive an EAS discovery request message from the S-EAS.

[0333] In one optional implementation, the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0334] In one optional implementation, after the communication unit 1101 receives the first message from the T-EES, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to send an EAS discovery response message to the S-EAS.

[0335] In another possible design, the communication unit 1101 is configured to send a first message to the S-EES, the first message being used to determine at least one EAS, and the at least one EAS corresponding to the first application.

[0336] In one optional implementation, the first message further indicates a correspondence between at least one EAS and the first application.

[0337] In one optional implementation, before the communication unit 1101 is configured to send the first message to the S-EES, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to determine an EAS corresponding to the first application based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0338] In one optional implementation, before the communication unit 1101 is configured to send the first message to the S-EES, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to determine an EAS corresponding to the first application based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0339] In one optional implementation, the first message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0340] In one optional implementation, before the communication unit 1101 is configured to send the first message to the S-EES, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to receive an EAS discovery request message from the S-EES, where the EAS discovery request message is used to request obtaining at least one EAS from the T-EES, and the first message is an EAS discovery response message.

[0341] In one optional implementation, the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0342] In another possible design, the communication unit 1101 is configured to send a second message to the S-EES, the second message being used to determine at least one EES, an EAS associated with the at least one EES corresponding to the first application, and the at least one EES corresponding to the first application.

[0343] In one optional implementation, the second message further indicates a correspondence between the first application and at least one EAS associated with the EES.

[0344] In one optional implementation, before the communication unit 1101 is configured to send the second message to the S-EES, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to determine, from the at least one EES, an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0345] In one optional implementation, before the communication unit 1101 is configured to send the second message to the S-EES, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to determine, from the at least one EES, an EAS associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0346] In one optional implementation, the second message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES.

[0347] In one optional implementation, before the communication unit 1101 is configured to send the second message to the S-EES, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to receive an EES discovery request message from the S-EES, where the EES discovery request message is used to request obtaining at least one EES from the ECS, and the second message is an EES discovery response message.

[0348] In one optional implementation, the EES discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0349] In another possible design, the communication unit 1101 is configured to send an EAS discovery request message to the S-EES, where the EAS discovery request message is used to request obtaining at least one EAS, and the at least one EAS corresponds to the first application.

[0350] In one optional implementation, after the communication unit 1101 is configured to send an EAS discovery request message to the S-EES, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to receive an EAS discovery response message from the S-EES, and the EAS discovery response message is used to determine at least one EAS.

[0351] In one optional implementation, the EAS discovery response message further indicates a correspondence between at least one EAS and the first application.

[0352] In one optional implementation, the EAS discovery response message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0353] In one optional implementation, after the communication unit 1101 is configured to receive an EAS discovery response message from the S-EES, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to determine an EAS corresponding to the first application from the at least one EAS based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0354] In one optional implementation, after the communication unit 1101 is configured to receive an EAS discovery response message from the S-EES, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to determine an EAS corresponding to the first application from the at least one EAS based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0355] In one optional implementation, the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0356] In another possible design, the communication unit 1101 is configured to send a third message to the EEC, the third message being used to determine at least one EES, an EAS associated with the at least one EES corresponding to the second application, and the at least one EES corresponding to the second application.

[0357] In one optional implementation, the third message further indicates a correspondence between the second application and an EAS associated with the at least one EES.

[0358] In one optional implementation, before the communication unit 1101 is configured to send the third message to the EEC, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to determine an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on an application identifier of the second application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0359] In one optional implementation, before the communication unit 1101 is configured to send the third message to the EEC, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to determine an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0360] In one optional implementation, the third message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES.

[0361] In one optional implementation, before the communication unit 1101 is configured to send the third message to the EEC, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to receive an edge computing platform discovery request message from the EEC, where the edge computing platform discovery request message is used to request obtaining at least one EES from the ECS, and the third message is an edge computing platform discovery response message.

[0362] In one optional implementation, the edge computing platform discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the second application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application.

[0363] In another possible design, the communication unit 1101 is configured to send a fourth message to the EES, where the fourth message includes EAS information of the EAS, and the EAS information includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0364] In another possible design, the communication unit 1101 is configured to receive a fourth message from at least one EAS, the fourth message including EAS information, and the EAS information including at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0365] In another possible design, the communication unit 1101 is configured to send a fifth message to the ECS, where the fifth message includes EES information, where the EES information includes EAS information of an EAS associated with the EES, and where the EAS information includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0366] In another possible design, the communication unit 1101 is configured to receive a fifth message from at least one EES, the fifth message including EES information, the EES information including EAS information of an EAS associated with the EES, and the EAS information including at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0367] This embodiment of the present application and the method shown in Figures 3A to 10 are based on the same concept, and the technical effects brought about by this embodiment of the present application and the method shown in Figures 3A to 10 are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the preceding embodiment. Details will not be described.

[0368] To implement the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application, the EEC may include a hardware structure and / or a software module for implementing the aforementioned functions using a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module. Whether a function among the aforementioned functions is implemented using a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0369] As shown in FIG. 12 , an embodiment of the present application provides another edge application server discovery apparatus 1200. The apparatus 1200 may be an EEC component (e.g., an integrated circuit or chip). Alternatively, the apparatus 1200 may be another communication unit configured to implement a method in a method embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 1200 may include a communication unit 1101 and a processing unit 1102. The processing unit 1202 is configured to control the communication unit 1201 to perform data / signaling transmission and reception. Optionally, the apparatus 1200 may further include a storage unit 1203.

[0370] In one possible design, the communication unit 1201 is configured to receive a third message from the ECS, the third message being used to determine at least one EES, an EAS associated with the at least one EES corresponding to the second application, and the at least one EES corresponding to the second application.

[0371] In one optional implementation, the third message further indicates a correspondence between the second application and an EAS associated with the at least one EES.

[0372] In one optional implementation, the third message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES.

[0373] In one optional implementation, after the communication unit 1201 is configured to receive the third message from the ECS, the processing unit 1202 is configured to determine, from the at least one EES, an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on an application identifier of the second application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0374] In one optional implementation, after the communication unit 1201 is configured to receive the third message from the ECS, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to determine, from the at least one EES, an EAS associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0375] In one optional implementation, before the communication unit 1201 is configured to receive the third message from the ECS, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to send an edge computing platform discovery request message to the ECS, where the edge computing platform discovery request message is used to request obtaining at least one EES from the ECS, and the third message is an edge computing platform discovery response message.

[0376] In one optional implementation, the edge computing platform discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the second application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application.

[0377] This embodiment of the present application and the method shown in Figures 3A to 10 are based on the same concept, and the technical effects brought about by this embodiment of the present application and the method shown in Figures 3A to 10 are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the preceding embodiment. Details will not be described.

[0378] The embodiment of the present application further provides another edge application server discovery apparatus 1300, as shown in Fig. 13. The apparatus 1300 may be an S-EES, a T-EES, an ECS, an S-EAS, an EAS, or an EES, or may be a chip, a chip system, a processor, etc. that supports an S-EES, a T-EES, an ECS, an S-EAS, an EAS, or an EES to implement the aforementioned method. The apparatus may be configured to implement the method described in the aforementioned method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description of the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0379] The device 1300 may include one or more processors 1301. The processor may be configured to implement some or all of the functions of the S-EES, T-EES, ECS, S-EAS, EAS, or EES by using logic circuitry or by executing a computer program. The processor 1301 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor may be a baseband processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor may be configured to process communication protocols and communication data. The central processing unit may be configured to control a device (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal, a terminal chip, a DU, or a CU), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0380] Optionally, the device 1300 may include one or more memories 1302, which may store instructions 1304, which may be executed on the processor 1301, such that the edge application server discovery device 1300 performs the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 1302 may further store data. The processor 1301 and the memory 1302 may be located separately or integrated.

[0381] The memory 1302 may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), ROM or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc.

[0382] Optionally, the edge application server discovery device 1300 may further include a transceiver 1305 and an antenna 1306. The transceiver 1305 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver device, transceiver circuit, etc., and is configured to perform a transceiver function. The transceiver 1305 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be referred to as a receiver or receiving circuit, etc., and is configured to perform a receiving function. The transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or transmitting circuit, etc., and is configured to perform a transmitting function.

[0383] In one possible design, the transceiver 1305 is configured to receive a first message from the T-EES, the first message being used to determine an EAS, and the at least one EAS corresponding to a first application.

[0384] In one optional implementation, the first message further indicates a correspondence between at least one EAS and the first application.

[0385] In one optional implementation, the first message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0386] In one optional implementation, after the transceiver 1305 is configured to receive a first message from the T-EES, the processor 1301 is further configured to determine an EAS corresponding to the first application from the at least one EAS based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0387] In one optional implementation, after the transceiver 1305 is configured to receive a first message from the T-EES, the processor 1301 is further configured to determine an EAS corresponding to the first application from the at least one EAS based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0388] In one optional implementation, before the transceiver 1305 is configured to receive the first message from the T-EES, the transceiver 1305 is further configured to send an EAS discovery request message to the T-EES, the EAS discovery request message being used to request obtaining at least one EAS from the T-EES, and the first message being an EAS discovery response message.

[0389] In one optional implementation, the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0390] In one optional implementation, before the transceiver 1305 is configured to send an EAS discovery request message to the T-EES, the transceiver 1305 is further configured to receive a second message from the ECS, the second message being used to determine at least one EES, the EAS associated with the at least one EES corresponding to a first application, the at least one EES corresponding to the first application, and the at least one EES including a T-EES.

[0391] In one optional implementation, the second message further indicates a correspondence between the first application and at least one EAS associated with the EES.

[0392] In one optional implementation, the second message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES.

[0393] In one optional implementation, after the transceiver 1305 is configured to receive the second message from the ECS, the processor 1301 is further configured to determine, from the at least one EES, an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0394] In one optional implementation, after the transceiver 1305 is configured to receive the second message from the ECS, the processor 1301 is further configured to determine, from the at least one EES, an EAS associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0395] In one optional implementation, before the transceiver 1305 is configured to receive the second message from the ECS, the transceiver 1305 is further configured to send an EES discovery request message to the ECS, the EES discovery request message being used to request obtaining at least one EES from the ECS, and the second message being an EES discovery response message.

[0396] In one optional implementation, the EES discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0397] In one optional implementation, before the transceiver 1305 is configured to send an EAS discovery request message to the T-EES, the transceiver 1305 is further configured to receive an EAS discovery request message from the S-EAS.

[0398] In one optional implementation, the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0399] In one optional implementation, after the transceiver 1305 receives the first message from the T-EES, the transceiver 1305 is further configured to send an EAS discovery response message to the S-EAS.

[0400] In another possible design, the transceiver 1305 is configured to send a first message to the S-EES, the first message being used to determine at least one EAS, the at least one EAS corresponding to the first application.

[0401] In one optional implementation, the first message further indicates a correspondence between at least one EAS and the first application.

[0402] In one optional implementation, before the transceiver 1305 is configured to send the first message to the S-EES, the processor 1301 is further configured to determine an EAS corresponding to the first application based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0403] In one optional implementation, before the transceiver 1305 is configured to transmit the first message to the S-EES, the processor 1301 is further configured to determine an EAS corresponding to the first application based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0404] In one optional implementation, the first message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0405] In one optional implementation, before the transceiver 1305 is configured to send the first message to the S-EES, the transceiver 1305 is further configured to receive an EAS discovery request message from the S-EES, the EAS discovery request message being used to request obtaining at least one EAS from the T-EES, and the first message being an EAS discovery response message.

[0406] In one optional implementation, the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0407] In another possible design, the transceiver 1305 is configured to send a second message to the S-EES, the second message being used to determine at least one EES, an EAS associated with the at least one EES corresponding to the first application, and the at least one EES corresponding to the first application.

[0408] In one optional implementation, the second message further indicates a correspondence between the first application and at least one EAS associated with the EES.

[0409] In one optional implementation, before the transceiver 1305 is configured to transmit the second message to the S-EES, the processor 1301 is further configured to determine, from the at least one EES, an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0410] In one optional implementation, before the transceiver 1305 is configured to transmit the second message to the S-EES, the processor 1301 is further configured to determine, from the at least one EES, an EAS associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0411] In one optional implementation, the second message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES.

[0412] In one optional implementation, before the transceiver 1305 is configured to send the second message to the S-EES, the transceiver 1305 is further configured to receive an EES discovery request message from the S-EES, the EES discovery request message being used to request obtaining at least one EES from the ECS, and the second message being an EES discovery response message.

[0413] In one optional implementation, the EES discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0414] In another possible design, the transceiver 1305 is configured to send an EAS discovery request message to the S-EES, where the EAS discovery request message is used to request obtaining at least one EAS, and the at least one EAS corresponds to the first application.

[0415] In one optional implementation, after the transceiver 1305 is configured to send an EAS discovery request message to the S-EES, the transceiver 1305 is further configured to receive an EAS discovery response message from the S-EES, and the EAS discovery response message is used to determine at least one EAS.

[0416] In one optional implementation, the EAS discovery response message further indicates a correspondence between at least one EAS and the first application.

[0417] In one optional implementation, the EAS discovery response message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0418] In one optional implementation, after the transceiver 1305 is configured to receive an EAS discovery response message from the S-EES, the processor 1301 is further configured to determine an EAS corresponding to the first application from the at least one EAS based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0419] In one optional implementation, after the transceiver 1305 is configured to receive an EAS discovery response message from the S-EES, the processor 1301 is further configured to determine an EAS corresponding to the first application from the at least one EAS based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0420] In one optional implementation, the EAS discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the first application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application.

[0421] In another possible design, the transceiver 1305 is configured to send a third message to the EEC, the third message being used to determine at least one EES, the EAS associated with the at least one EES corresponding to the second application, and the at least one EES corresponding to the second application.

[0422] In one optional implementation, the third message further indicates a correspondence between the second application and an EAS associated with the at least one EES.

[0423] In one optional implementation, before the transceiver 1305 is configured to transmit the third message to the EEC, the processor 1301 is further configured to determine an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on an application identifier of the second application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0424] In one optional implementation, before the transceiver 1305 is configured to transmit the third message to the EEC, the processor 1301 is further configured to determine an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0425] In one optional implementation, the third message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES.

[0426] In one optional implementation, before the transceiver 1305 is configured to send the third message to the EEC, the transceiver 1305 is further configured to receive an edge computing platform discovery request message from the EEC, where the edge computing platform discovery request message is used to request obtaining at least one EES from the ECS, and the third message is an edge computing platform discovery response message.

[0427] In one optional implementation, the edge computing platform discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the second application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application.

[0428] In another possible design, the transceiver 1305 is configured to send a fourth message to the EES, the fourth message including EAS information of the EAS, and the EAS information including at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0429] In another possible design, the transceiver 1305 is configured to receive a fourth message from the at least one EAS, the fourth message including EAS information, and the EAS information including at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0430] In another possible design, the transceiver 1305 is configured to send a fifth message to the ECS, the fifth message including EES information, the EES information including EAS information of an EAS associated with the EES, and the EAS information including at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0431] In another possible design, the transceiver 1305 is configured to receive a fifth message from at least one EES, the fifth message including EES information, the EES information including EAS information of an EAS associated with the EES, and the EAS information including at least one of an application identifier corresponding to the EAS and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS.

[0432] In another possible design, the processor 1301 may include a transceiver configured to perform transmission and reception functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit configured to perform transmission and reception functions may be separate or integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be configured to read and write code / data. Alternatively, the transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be configured to transmit or forward signals.

[0433] In yet another possible design, the processor 1301 may optionally store instructions 1303, which may be executed on the processor 1301, such that the edge application server discovery device 1300 can perform the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The instructions 1303 may be embedded in the processor 1301. In this case, the processor 1301 may be implemented using hardware.

[0434] In yet another possible design, the edge application server discovery device 1300 may include circuitry that can perform the transmitting, receiving, or communication functions in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processors and transceivers described in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented in an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed-signal IC, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, or the like. The processors and transceivers may alternatively be fabricated using various IC technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), n-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS), p-type metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), and gallium arsenide (GaAs).

[0435] This embodiment of the present application and the method shown in Figures 3A to 10 are based on the same concept, and the technical effects brought about by this embodiment of the present application and the method shown in Figures 3A to 10 are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the preceding embodiment. Details will not be described.

[0436] The embodiment of the present application further provides another edge application server discovery apparatus 1400, as shown in Fig. 14. The apparatus 1400 may be an EEC, or may be a chip, a chip system, a processor, etc. that supports the EEC in implementing the aforementioned method. The apparatus may be configured to implement the method described in the aforementioned method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description of the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0437] The device 1400 may include one or more processors 1401. The processor may be configured to perform some or all of the functions of the EEC by using logic circuits or by executing a computer program. The processor 1401 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor may be a baseband processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor may be configured to process communication protocols and communication data. The central processing unit may be configured to control a device (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal, a terminal chip, a DU, or a CU), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0438] Optionally, the device 1400 may include one or more memories 1402, which may store instructions 1404, which may be executed on the processor 1401, such that the edge application server discovery device 1400 performs the methods described in the foregoing method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 1402 may further store data. The processor 1401 and the memory 1402 may be located separately or integrated.

[0439] The memory 1402 may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), ROM or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc.

[0440] Optionally, the edge application server discovery apparatus 1400 may further include a transceiver 1405 and an antenna 1406. The transceiver 1405 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver device, transceiver circuit, etc., and is configured to perform a transceiver function. The transceiver 1405 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be referred to as a receiver or receiving circuit, etc., and is configured to perform a receiving function. The transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or transmitting circuit, etc., and is configured to perform a transmitting function.

[0441] In one possible design, the transceiver 1405 is configured to receive a third message from the ECS, the third message being used to determine at least one EES, an EAS associated with the at least one EES corresponding to the second application, and the at least one EES corresponding to the second application.

[0442] In one optional implementation, the third message further indicates a correspondence between the second application and an EAS associated with the at least one EES.

[0443] In one optional implementation, the third message includes at least one of an application identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to an EAS associated with the at least one EES.

[0444] In one optional implementation, after the transceiver 1405 is configured to receive the third message from the ECS, the processor 1401 is configured to determine, from the at least one EES, an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on an application identifier of the second application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0445] In one optional implementation, after the transceiver 1405 is configured to receive the third message from the ECS, the processor 1401 is further configured to determine, from the at least one EES, an EAS associated with the EAS corresponding to the second application based on the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES.

[0446] In one optional implementation, before the transceiver 1405 is configured to receive the third message from the ECS, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to send an edge computing platform discovery request message to the ECS, where the edge computing platform discovery request message is used to request obtaining at least one EES from the ECS, and the third message is an edge computing platform discovery response message.

[0447] In one optional implementation, the edge computing platform discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: an application identifier of the second application, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the second application.

[0448] In another possible design, the processor 1401 may include a transceiver configured to perform transmission and reception functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit configured to perform transmission and reception functions may be separate or integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be configured to read and write code / data. Alternatively, the transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be configured to transmit or forward signals.

[0449] In yet another possible design, the processor 1401 may optionally store instructions 1403, which may be executed on the processor 1401 to enable the edge application server discovery device 1400 to perform the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The instructions 1403 may be embedded in the processor 1401. In this case, the processor 1401 may be implemented using hardware.

[0450] In yet another possible design, the edge application server discovery device 1400 may include circuitry that can perform the transmitting, receiving, or communication functions in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processors and transceivers described in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented in an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed-signal IC, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, or the like. The processors and transceivers may alternatively be fabricated using various IC technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), n-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS), p-type metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), and gallium arsenide (GaAs).

[0451] This embodiment of the present application and the method shown in Figures 3A to 10 are based on the same concept, and the technical effects brought about by this embodiment of the present application and the method shown in Figures 3A to 10 are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the preceding embodiment. Details will not be described.

[0452] Those skilled in the art can further understand that the various illustrative logic blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by using electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination thereof. Whether a function is implemented using hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design requirements of the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functions using various methods for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to go beyond the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0453] The present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium configured to store computer software instructions, which, when executed by an edge application server discovery device, perform the functions of any one of the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0454] The present application further provides a computer program product configured to store computer software instructions, which, when executed by an edge application server discovery device, perform the functions of any one of the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0455] The present application further provides a computer program, which, when run on a computer, performs the functions of any one of the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0456] All or part of the above-described embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When an embodiment is implemented using software, all or part of the embodiment may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded into a computer and executed, the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated, in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio wave, or microwave) transmission. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer, or may be a data storage device integrating one or more available media, such as a server or data center. The media that can be used may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, or magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), solid-state media (e.g., SSDs), and the like.

[0457] The above description is merely a specific implementation of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any modifications or replacements that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0458] 110 EDN 111 EAS 112 EAS 113 EAS 114 EAS 120 EDN 122 EAS 123 EAS 101 AC 102 AC 2000 Communication Systems 1100 Edge Application Server Discovery Device 1101 Communication unit 1102 Processing Unit 1103 Storage Unit 1200 Edge Application Server Discovery Device 1201 Communication Unit 1202 Processing Unit 1203 Memory Unit 1300 Edge Application Server Discovery Device 1301 processor 1302 memory 1304 Instructions 1305 Transceiver 1306 Antenna 1303 Command 1400 Edge Application Server Discovery Device 1401 processor 1402 memory 1404 Instructions 1405 Transceiver 1406 Antenna 1403 Command

Claims

1. 1. A method for discovering an edge application server, the method comprising: sending, by an edge configuration server ECS, a second message to a source edge enabler server S-EES, wherein the second message is used to determine at least one edge enabler server EES, an edge application server EAS associated with the at least one EES corresponds to a first application, the at least one EES corresponds to the first application, and the second message includes an application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the at least one EES; An edge application server discovery method comprising:

2. Prior to the step of sending, by the ECS, a second message to the S-EES, the method further comprises: determining, by the ECS, from the at least one EES, an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on an EAS bundle identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES, or based on an application identifier of the first application and an application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

3. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second message further includes at least one of an indication of a correspondence between the first application and the EAS associated with the at least one EES, and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the at least one EES.

4. Prior to the step of sending, by the ECS, a second message to the S-EES, the method further comprises: receiving, by the ECS, an EES discovery request message from the S-EES, the EES discovery request message including at least one of an application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application, and used to request obtaining the at least one EES from the ECS; further comprising the second message is an EES discovery response message; The method of claim 1.

5. 1. A method for discovering an edge application server, the method comprising: sending a fifth message by an edge enabler server EES to an edge configuration server ECS, the fifth message including EES information, the EES information including EAS information of an EAS associated with the EES, and the EAS information including an application identifier corresponding to the EAS; An edge application server discovery method comprising:

6. 1. A method for discovering an edge application server, the method comprising: receiving, by a source edge enabler server S-EES, a first message from a target edge enabler server T-EES, the first message being used to determine at least one edge application server EAS, the at least one EAS corresponding to a first application, the first message including an application identifier corresponding to the EAS; An edge application server discovery method comprising:

7. After the step of receiving, by the S-EES, a first message from the T-EES, the method further comprises: determining, by the S-EES, an EAS corresponding to the first application from the at least one EAS based on an application identifier of the first application and the application identifier corresponding to the EAS; 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

8. Prior to the step of receiving, by the S-EES, a first message from the T-EES, the method further comprises: sending, by the S-EES, an EAS discovery request message to the T-EES, the EAS discovery request message including at least one of the application identifier of the first application and an EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application, and being used to request obtaining the at least one EAS from the T-EES; further comprising the first message is an EAS discovery response message; The method of claim 6.

9. Before the step of sending an EAS discovery request message to the T-EES by the S-EES, the method includes: receiving, by the S-EES, a second message from an edge configuration server ECS, wherein the second message is used to determine at least one edge enabler server EES, an EAS associated with the at least one EES corresponds to the first application, the at least one EES corresponds to the first application, the at least one EES includes the T-EES, and the second message includes an application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the at least one EES.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

10. After the step of receiving, by the S-EES, a second message from an ECS, the method further comprises: determining, by the S-EES, from the at least one EES, an EES associated with the EAS corresponding to the first application based on the application identifier of the first application and the application identifier corresponding to the EAS associated with the EES; 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

11. Prior to the step of receiving, by the S-EES, a second message from an ECS, the method further comprises: sending, by the S-EES, an EES discovery request message to the ECS, the EES discovery request message including at least one of the application identifier of the first application and the EAS bundle identifier corresponding to the first application, and used to request obtaining the at least one EES from the ECS; further comprising the second message is an EES discovery response message; The method of claim 9.

12. 1. A method for discovering an edge application server, the method comprising: receiving, by an edge configuration server ECS, a fifth message from at least one edge enabler server EES, the fifth message including EES information, the EES information including EAS information of an EAS associated with the EES, and the EAS information including an application identifier corresponding to the EAS; An edge application server discovery method comprising:

13. 13. An edge application server discovery system, the system being configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 4, or to perform the method of claim 5, or to perform the method of any one of claims 6 to 11, or to perform the method of claim 12.

14. An edge application server discovery device comprising a memory and a processor, the memory is configured to store instructions or computer programs; The processor is configured to execute the computer program or the instructions stored in the memory, such that the device performs the method of any one of claims 1 to 4, or the method of claim 5, or the method of any one of claims 6 to 11, or the method of claim 12. Edge application server discovery device.

15. 12. A computer program comprising computer program code which, when executed, performs the method of any one of claims 1 to 4, or the method of claim 5, or the method of any one of claims 6 to 11, or the method of claim 12.

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