Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication device. In the method, a first transport server determines to switch the first transport server and determines a second transport server based on first service quality measurement information and / or first service quality monitoring information. The quality of service provided by the second transport server connected to the first transport client via a first access network device and a second user plane function network element satisfies the service quality requirements of an application layer application. In other words, the first transport server may determine whether to switch the first transport server based on QoS information obtained through measurement and UE-RAN QoS information, RAN-UPF QoS information, or UE-RAN-UPF QoS information obtained through 5GC monitoring. In addition, the first transport server may determine a second transport server that satisfies the QoS requirements, so that the first transport server can be switched to the second transport server. This helps ensure QoS.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310019069.8, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on January 6, 2023, entitled "Communication Method and Communication Apparatus," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and a communication device. [Background technology]

[0003] Currently, both the transport server (service enabler architecture layer data delivery server, SEALDD server) and the SEALDD client (SEALDD client) can provide end-to-end (terminal device to SEALDD server) quality of service measurement (QoS measurement). For example, an application layer server (vertical application layer server, VAL server) can request a data transmission service from the SEALDD server, including requirements for performing end-to-end QoS measurement. The SEALDD server and SEALDD client perform QoS measurement and generate a measurement report, where the measurement report includes the measurement results corresponding to the QoS requirements. However, how to perform QoS guarantees when the measured QoS is low remains a problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, in which it can be determined that a transmission server needs to be switched, a second transmission server that satisfies a service quality requirement of an application layer application is selected, and then switching to the second transmission server can be performed to ensure the service quality of the current service.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The method may be executed by a transport server, may be executed by a component of the transport server (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system), or may be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the transport server. For example, the method may be executed by a first transport server. The first transport server determines to switch the first transport server based on first service quality measurement information and / or first service quality monitoring information. The first service quality measurement information includes information about the service quality of a service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via a first user plane function network element and a first access network device. The first service quality monitoring information includes information about the service quality of a path between the first transport client and the first access network device and / or information about the service quality of a path between the first access network device and the first user plane function network element. The first transport server determines a second transport server. The quality of service provided by the second transport server connected to the first transport client via the first access network device and the second user plane function network element satisfies the quality of service requirement of the application layer application. For example, the first transport server may determine whether to switch the first transport server based on the first quality of service measurement information, or may determine whether to switch the first transport server based on the first quality of service measurement information and the first quality of service monitoring information. Optionally, the first user plane function network element and the second user plane function network element may be the same or different. Optionally, determining to switch the first transport server means that an attempt may be made to obtain information about the quality of service of another target transport server for QoS guarantee of the current service, and whether the switch is finally performed depends on whether a second transport server that satisfies the quality of service requirement can be selected.

[0006] In the method, the first transmission server may determine whether to switch the first transmission server based on the QoS information acquired through measurement and the UE-RAN QoS information, RAN-UPF QoS information, or UE-RAN-UPF QoS information acquired through 5GC monitoring (in other words, based on information about the service quality of another target transmission server, further determine whether a second transmission server that satisfies the service quality requirements exists). For example, if transmission between the UE and the RAN is normal but the overall QoS is degraded, the degradation may be caused by abnormal transmission between the RAN and the UPF, abnormal transmission between the UPF and the SEALDD server, or an overload of the SEALDD server, and the service quality can be improved by switching the SEALDD server. In this way, it is determined that the first transmission server needs to be switched. In addition, the first transmission server may determine a second transmission server that satisfies the QoS requirements, so that the first transmission server can be switched to the second transmission server. This helps guarantee QoS.

[0007] In a possible implementation, when the first transmission server determines, based on the first service quality measurement information, that the service quality of the service provided by the first transmission server connected to the first transmission client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not meet the service quality requirements of the application layer application, and / or when the service quality of the path between the first transmission client and the first access network device meets the service quality requirements of the first path, the first transmission server determines to switch the first transmission server.

[0008] In the method, the first transmission server may determine, based on the QoS information obtained through measurement, that the service quality does not meet the service quality requirements of the application layer application (e.g., the QoS of the data flow is degraded). If the QoS information or the transmission between the UE and the RAN is normal (or if the abnormality between the UE and the RAN is not fed back (e.g., reporting is performed based on a threshold, and if the QoS information is below the threshold, it is fed back that an abnormality exists between the UE and the RAN)), it is determined that the first transmission server needs to be switched, which helps guarantee QoS.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the first transport server receives information about available target application layer servers from the first application layer server, where the information about the available target application layer servers is used to determine the available target transport servers. The first transport server sends a first message to the available target transport servers, where the first message is used to obtain at least one of traffic information and load information of the available target transport servers. The available target transport servers include one or more transport servers. For example, the first message is used to subscribe to at least one of traffic information and load information of the available target transport servers. In this case, subsequent QoS measurement results are fed back for the first message by using a notification message. In another example, the first message is used to request at least one of traffic information and load information of the available target transport servers. In this case, subsequent QoS measurement results are fed back for the first message by using a response message.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the first transport server sends a first message to an available target transport server when the service quality of the service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the service quality requirements of the application layer application, and the service quality of the path from the first transport client to the first access network device to the first user plane function network element satisfies the service quality requirements of the second path.

[0011] In the above method, the first transport server may obtain a corresponding available target transport server based on information about available target application layer servers. The first transport server may obtain one or more of traffic information and load information from the available target transport server, which helps the first transport server to determine the second transport server. Optionally, the preconditions for the case in which the first transport server sends the first message to the available target transport server may be as follows: the service quality of the service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the service quality requirement of the application layer application, and the service quality of the path from the first transmission client to the first access network device to the first user plane function network element satisfies the service quality requirement of the second path.

[0012] In a possible implementation, a first transport server determines a quality of service requirement of an application layer application, and the first transport server obtains at least one of traffic information and load information of available target transport servers. Based on at least one of the traffic information and load information of the available target transport servers, the first transport server determines that a second transport server satisfies the quality of service requirement of the application layer application, where the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers.

[0013] In the method, the first transmission server may determine to select the second transmission server based on one or more of the following information: load information and N6 transmission status (i.e., traffic information) obtained from an available target transmission server, so that the first transmission server can switch to the second transmission server, thereby helping to guarantee QoS.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the first transport server receives information about available target application layer servers from the first application layer server, where the information about available target application layer servers is used to determine information about available target transport servers. The first transport server obtains information about the service quality of the available target transport servers.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the first transport server obtains a first location of the first transport client, and the first transport server sends a second message to an available target transport server, where the second message includes information about the first location and / or the available target application layer server.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the second message is used to obtain information about the quality of service of using available target transport servers at the first location, where the available target transport servers include one or more transport servers.

[0017] In the above method, the first transport server may obtain an available target transport server based on information about the available target application layer server, and the first transport server may request to obtain information about QoS using the available target transport server at the first location from the available target transport server, which helps the first transport server to determine the second transport server.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the first transport server obtains a first location of the first transport client, and the first transport server sends a third message to the core network device, where the third message includes one or more of the following information: the first location, information about an available target transport server, or a data network access identifier associated with the available target transport server.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the third message is used to obtain information about the quality of service of using available target transport servers at the first location, where the available target transport servers include one or more transport servers.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the core network device is a network data analysis function network element.

[0021] In the above method, the first transport server may obtain an available target transport server based on one or more of the following information: the first location, information about the available target transport server, or a data network access identifier associated with the available target transport server. In addition, the first transport server may request to obtain information about QoS using the available target transport server at the first location from a core network device, which helps the first transport server determine the second transport server.

[0022] In a possible implementation, a first transport server determines quality of service requirements of an application layer application, obtains information about the quality of service of using available target transport servers at a first location, and determines a second transport server that satisfies the quality of service requirements of the application layer application based on the information about the quality of service, where the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers.

[0023] In the method, the first transport server may select a second transport server based on the obtained information about QoS using an available target transport server at the first location, so that the first transport server can switch to the second transport server, thereby helping to guarantee QoS.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the first transport server sends a fourth message to the core network device, where the fourth message is used to obtain the first service quality monitoring information.

[0025] In the method, the first transport server may obtain first service quality monitoring information from the core network device, which helps to determine whether the first transport server needs to be switched. For example, the first transport server may obtain QoS monitoring information from the core network device by default. Alternatively, when QoS is degraded (when the information about service quality does not satisfy the QoS requirements), the first transport server may send a fourth message to the core network device to obtain QoS monitoring information.

[0026] According to a second aspect, the present application provides another communication method. The method may be executed by a transport server, may be executed by a component of the transport server (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system), or may be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the transport server. For example, the method may be executed by a second transport server. The second transport server receives a first message from a first transport server, where the first message is used to obtain at least one of traffic information and load information of the second transport server. The second transport server transmits at least one of the traffic information and load information of the second transport server to the first transport server, where the at least one of the traffic information and load information of the second transport server is used by the first transport server to determine a transport server that satisfies a quality of service requirement of an application layer application.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers, which are determined by the first transport server based on information about the available target application layer servers.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the second transport server receives a first message from the first transport server when the service quality of the service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the service quality requirements of the application layer application, and the service quality of the path from the first transport client to the first access network device to the first user plane function network element satisfies the service quality requirements of the second path.

[0029] In the above method, if the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers, the first transport server may obtain a corresponding available target transport server based on information about the available target application layer servers, and obtain traffic information and load information of the second transport server, which helps the first transport server to determine the second transport server. Optionally, the preconditions for the case in which the first transport server sends the first message to the available target transport server may be as follows: the service quality of the service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the service quality requirement of the application layer application, and the service quality of the path from the first transmission client to the first access network device and the first user plane function network element satisfies the service quality requirement of the second path.

[0030] According to a third aspect, the present application provides another communication method. The method may be executed by a transport server, may be executed by a component (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system) of the transport server, or may be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the transport server. For example, the method may be executed by a second transport server. The second transport server receives a second message from a first transport server, where the second message includes information about a first location and / or available target application layer servers, where the first location includes a location area where a first transport client served by the first transport server is located, and the information about available target application layer servers is used to determine information about available target transport servers, where the available target transport servers include the second transport server. The second transport server sends information about quality of service of using the second transport server at the first location to the first transport server, where the information about service quality is used by the first transport server to determine a second transport server that satisfies quality of service requirements of the application layer application.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the second message is used to obtain information about the quality of service of using available target transport servers at the first location.

[0032] In the above method, if the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers, the first transport server may obtain information about the available target application layer servers and / or the corresponding available target transport server based on the first location, and obtain information about the QoS of using the available target transport server at the first location, which helps the first transport server to determine the second transport server.

[0033] According to a fourth aspect, the present application provides another communication method. The method may be executed by a transmission server, may be executed by a component of the transmission server (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system), or may be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the transmission server. The transmission server acquires first quality of service requirements. The transmission server acquires information about the quality of service of a transmission client using the transmission server's service at a second location. The transmission server determines second quality of service requirements of the transmission client based on the first quality of service requirements and the information about the quality of service, where the second quality of service requirements include a set of one or more quality of service parameters. For example, the transmission server acquiring the first quality of service requirements may mean that the transmission server directly receives the first quality of service requirements from an application layer server. Alternatively, the transmission server may determine the first quality of service requirements based on related parameters from the application layer server. This is not limited in the present application. In another example, the information about the quality of service of a transmission client using the transmission server's service at the second location may also be referred to as predicted information about the quality of service.

[0034] In the method, after obtaining the first quality of service requirement, the transmission server may determine a second quality of service requirement based on the information about the quality of service and the first quality of service requirement to perform QoS guarantee.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the transmission server sends a fifth message to the network data analysis function network element, where the fifth message is used to obtain information about the service quality based on the information about the transmission client and the service information of the transmission server. The transmission server receives the information about the service quality from the network data analysis function network element.

[0036] In the method, the transmission server may obtain information about the service quality of the transmission client at the second location using the service of the transmission server from the network data analysis function network element, thereby helping the transmission server determine a second service quality requirement and perform QoS guarantee.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the transport server sends a request message to the core network device, where the request message is used to request the core network device to provide a guarantee for a second quality of service requirement, and the second quality of service requirement includes a set of one or more quality of service parameters.

[0038] In the method, the transport server may request the core network device to guarantee alternative QoS requirements, which helps to implement QoS guarantees more comprehensively.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the core network device is a network publishing function network element or a policy control function network element.

[0040] According to a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a transmission server, a device in a transmission server, or a device usable with a transmission server. In a possible implementation, the communication device may include modules in a one-to-one correspondence with the methods / operations / steps / actions described in any one of the first to fourth aspects and possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects. The modules may be hardware circuits, software, or may be implemented by hardware circuits in combination with software. In a possible implementation, the communication device may include a processing unit and a communication unit.

[0041] It may be understood that the communication device may also implement the effects that may be implemented in any one of the first to fourth aspects and possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0042] According to a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communications apparatus comprising a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store instructions. When the instructions are executed by the processor, the communications device is capable of implementing the method of any one of the first to fourth aspects and possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects. Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory.

[0043] According to a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the method of any one of the first to fourth aspects and possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0044] According to an eighth aspect, the present application provides a chip system. The chip system may include a processor and an interface, and may further include a memory configured to implement the method of any one of the first to fourth aspects and possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects. The chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another discrete component.

[0045] According to a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the method of any one of the first to fourth aspects and possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0046] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram of a communication system according to the present application;

[0047] [Figure 2] 10 is a schematic flow chart of an alternative QoS requirement adjustment;

[0048] [Figure 3]FIG. 1 is a diagram of the SEALDD enforcement layer architecture.

[0049] [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic flowchart of QoS measurement.

[0050] [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram of core network deployment levels.

[0051] [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to the present application;

[0052] [Figure 7] 4 is a schematic flow chart of another communication method according to the present application.

[0053] [Figure 8] 4 is a schematic flow chart of yet another communication method according to the present application.

[0054] [Figure 9] 4 is a schematic flow chart of yet another communication method according to the present application.

[0055] [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram of a communication device according to the present application;

[0056] [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram of another communication device according to the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0057] In the embodiments of the present application, " / " may represent an "or" relationship between related objects. For example, A / B may represent A or B. "And / or" may be used to indicate the existence of three relationships between related objects. For example, A and / or B may represent three cases: when only A is present, when both A and B are present, and when only B is present. A and B may be singular or plural. To facilitate the description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to distinguish technical features with the same or similar functions. Terms such as "first" and "second" do not limit the number and execution order, and terms such as "first" and "second" do not indicate clear differences. In the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "example" or "for example" are used to represent an example, illustration, or explanation. Any embodiment or design concept described with "example" or "for example" should not be described as more preferred or advantageous than another embodiment or design concept. The use of terms such as "example" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a particular manner for ease of understanding.

[0058] The following describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0059] To solve the problem of how to guarantee QoS when the service quality measurement result obtained through the service quality measurement by the transmission server and the transmission client is low, the present application provides a communication method, which can determine a second transmission server that satisfies the service quality requirements of the application layer application, so that switching can be performed, thereby helping to guarantee the service quality.

[0060] The service enabler architecture layer data delivery (SEALDD) service described in this application may be abbreviated as SEALDD service. The service enabler architecture layer data delivery server may be abbreviated as transmission server, or may be abbreviated as SEALDD server. The service enabler architecture layer data delivery client may be abbreviated as transmission client, or may be abbreviated as SEALDD client. The above abbreviations are merely examples, and it may be understood that the SEALDD server / client may each implement the service enabler architecture layer data delivery service described above. In other words, all parts simply referred to as SEALDD in this application may be replaced with service enabler architecture layer data delivery. Optionally, the transmission server in this application may also be referred to as a data transmission enhancement layer server (mainly configured to provide data transmission services and belonging to the enabler layer or enhancement layer).

[0061] The information about quality of service described in this application may refer to quality of service (QoS) or service experience (also referred to as QoE). In other words, all parts briefly referred to as QoS, QoE, and service experience in this application may be replaced with quality of service.

[0062] The communication method provided herein may be applied to the communication system shown in Figure 1. For example, the communication system may be a service enabler architecture layer data delivery service architecture (e.g., referred to as SEALDD service architecture for short). The communication system includes devices such as terminal devices (including SEALDD clients, radio access network (RAN) devices, core network devices, SEALDD servers, and application layer servers (vertical application layer servers, VAL servers)).

[0063] The core network devices may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following devices or network elements: a user plane function (UPF) network element, an application function (AF) network element, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, and the like. The AMF is mainly responsible for mobility management in a mobile network, such as user location update, user registration to a network, and user switching. The SMF is mainly responsible for session management in a mobile network, such as session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions may be, for example, allocating an IP address to a user and selecting a UPF that provides packet forwarding functionality. The PCF is responsible for providing policies, such as QoS policies and slice selection policies, to the AMF and SMF. The AF is responsible for providing services to the network, such as influencing service routing and interacting with the PCF to perform policy control. The UPF is mainly responsible for processing user packets, such as forwarding and charging. The UPF may also be configured to provide mobility during wireless access, in which case the UPF is also referred to as a protocol data unit (PDU) session anchor UPF (PSA UPF).

[0064] The SEALDD client may be used as part of a terminal device and executes on the terminal device in the form of software or a system component. The SEALDD server is deployed between the UPF and an application server (AS) in the form of an independent or integrated server. For example, the SEALDD server may be an independent server and deployed between the UPF and the AS as shown in FIG. 1. In another example, the SEALDD server may integrate its functionality into the UPF, or may integrate its functionality into the AS. Optionally, multiple SEALDD servers may be deployed in a distributed manner based on the deployment status of the UPF and the AS.

[0065] For example, a user plane connection between a SEALDD client and a SEALDD server deployed on a session in a fifth-generation (5G) system can be represented as follows: a UE accesses the network through the air interface of the RAN, and the RAN and UPF are connected through the N3 interface. As a result, the RAN can be connected to UPFs at different levels. Assuming that different SEALDD servers correspond to different cloud platforms, different SEALDD servers are connected to different VAL servers on the cloud platforms. When a UE is connected to SEALDD server 1 through the RAN and UPF1 and performs service interaction with VAL server 1 through SEALDD server 1, if the network detects that data transmission quality is low, the network can be optimized based on different causes. For example, if the low data transmission quality is caused by overload of the SEALDD server or VAL server or abnormal transmission on the N6 interface, the network can be optimized by keeping the RAN and UPF unchanged and switching the SEALDD server and VAL server, thereby improving service quality. In another example, if poor data transmission quality is caused by congestion due to overload of the UPF or overload of the N3 transmission path, the network can be optimized by keeping the RAN unchanged and switching the UPF, the corresponding SEALDD server, and the corresponding VAL server, thereby improving service quality.

[0066] Specifically, the terminal device may be a user equipment (UE), a terminal, a mobile phone, an Internet of Things terminal device (e.g., an in-vehicle device or a wearable device), a terminal device in a 5G network, a terminal device in a future evolved PLMN network, a terminal device in a next-generation (e.g., 6G) network, or the like. The radio access network device may be a device that can communicate with the terminal device. The radio access network device may be a base station (BS), a relay station, or an access point (AP). The base station may be an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB for short) in a long term evolution (LTE) system, a gNodeB in a new radio (NR) network, a wireless device in a next generation radio access network (NG (next generation) RAN), a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, an AP in a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi®) network, a BS in a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX®) network, or the like.

[0067] I. Definitions of relevant terms in this application

[0068] 1. Alternative QoS requirement adjustment procedure:

[0069] Currently, SA2 supports QoS requirement adjustments, including adjustments on parameters such as guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR), packet delay budget (PDB), packet error rate (PER), and the like. When the RAN detects that the QoS requirements cannot be met, the RAN may trigger sending a notification message to the AF. Alternatively, the RAN may trigger an alternative QoS adjustment, reduce the QoS guarantee, and notify the AF. Specifically, the AF may propose an alternative QoS requirement. If the RAN side cannot meet the QoS requirements of the AF, a QoS adjustment may be performed and a corresponding alternative QoS reference may be reported.

[0070] For example, Figure 2 is a schematic flow chart of an alternative QoS requirement adjustment, which includes the following steps:

[0071] Step 1: The AF sends a request message (eg, an AF request) to the PCF (possibly via a network exposure function (NEF)).

[0072] The request message may include one or more of, but is not limited to, an application descriptor, QoS requirement information, QoS notification control (QNC) information, an alternative QoS set (where the alternative QoS set includes multiple QoS requirements, which may be sorted based on priority and satisfied in descending order of priority), and the like. The application descriptor may be an application ID, an IP-5 tuple, or the like. The alternative QoS set may include multiple alternative QoS levels, and the network may preferentially satisfy the QoS with the highest priority based on the priority. If the current network conditions cannot satisfy the QoS, a lower priority QoS is selected and satisfied, and AF is notified. If the lowest priority QoS cannot be satisfied, the service is released and AF is notified.

[0073] Step 2: The PCF determines the QoS flow identifier (QFI) information corresponding to the application data flow based on the QoS requirement information and the application descriptor in the request message, generates the corresponding session management policy (SM policy) information, and sends the session management policy information to the SMF.

[0074] Step 3: The SMF generates configuration information based on the policy information corresponding to the QFI, and sends the configuration information to the RAN. The configuration information includes one or more of the QFI corresponding to the QoS flow, the QoS requirements corresponding to the QFI, and the QNC indication information.

[0075] Step 4: The RAN performs maintenance based on the QoS requirements configured by the SMF.

[0076] The SMF submits a QoS monitoring request to the RAN via the AMF. The RAN detects the uplink and downlink QoS (e.g., delay) on the UE side. If the QoS requirements of the AF cannot be met, the RAN reports to the SMF. Optionally, if the RAN cannot meet the QoS profile parameters provided by the SMF, the RAN may report currently matching alternative QoS profile reference information when sending a QoS notification to the SMF. Optionally, if the RAN does not have a candidate QoS profile and cannot meet the current QoS requirements (e.g., GFBR, PDB, or PER), the RAN sends a notification (RAN-side radio link failure and congestion) to the SMF, indicating that the current QoS requirements cannot be met. The RAN still maintains the QoS flows and releases the resources corresponding to the QoS flows. After the RAN sends the notification to the SMF, the SMF further sends information about the notification to the PCF. Optionally, in an alternative QoS status, when the RAN cannot satisfy the QoS profile parameters, the RAN can report to the SMF the alternative QoS that can be satisfied based on the priority order of the alternative QoS. The RAN can also detect and report the status of the currently satisfied QoS (at a specific time interval). The SMF can further report the alternative QoS satisfaction status to the PCF.

[0077] Optionally, in an inter-base station handover scenario, the source RAN sends the corresponding QoS profile and alternative QoS profile information to the target RAN, and then the target RAN determines whether the QoS requirements can be satisfied and reports to the source RAN. Optionally, in a QoS flow establishment or modification process, the RAN may determine whether the QoS profile and alternative QoS profile can be satisfied and report information about the satisfied alternative QoS to the SMF (e.g., in N2 SM information). Optionally, the SMF may further report the QoS satisfaction status to the PCF. If the PCF has no special instruction, the SMF may indicate the QoS satisfaction status to the UE through NAS information.

[0078] Step 5: When the RAN detects that the current status of the RAN cannot support the corresponding QoS requirements, the RAN sends a QNC notification message to the SMF. The QNC notification message includes information indicating that the current QoS requirements corresponding to the AF cannot be met or information indicating that an alternative QoS adjustment will be performed.

[0079] Step 6: After receiving the QNC notification message, the SMF sends a notification message to the AF. The notification message includes information indicating that the QoS requirements cannot be met or that an alternative QoS adjustment will be performed. In other words, the AF needs to be notified when the QoS cannot be met or the original QoS requirements are adjusted to an alternative QoS.

[0080] 2. QoS monitoring mechanism:

[0081] In the standard protocol for SA2, a QoS monitoring mechanism is used to monitor packet delay. For example, the QoS monitoring mechanism is used to measure / monitor delay between the UE, RAN, and UPF, where the delay can be categorized as delay between the UE and RAN, delay between the RAN and UPF, or delay between the UE, RAN, and UPF. For QoS monitoring requirements, the RAN can detect uplink and downlink delays between the UE and RAN. The delay between the RAN and UPF is measured at the granularity of a terminal device (per UE), a data flow (per QoS flow), or a GPRS tunneling protocol-user plane (GTP-U). The specific measurement granularity depends on the operator configuration, the requirements of a third-party AF, or the policy control of the PCF. This is not a limitation in this application.

[0082] Optionally, when the AF sends a QoS monitoring request, the PCF may generate a corresponding QoS monitoring policy based on the request and add the QoS monitoring policy to a policy and charging control (PCC) rule. The PCC rule may be sent by the PCF to the SMF. For example, the QoS monitoring policy may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following information: QoS parameters that need to be measured (e.g., parameters such as uplink delay, downlink delay, or round-trip delay), measurement reporting periodicity (e.g., when periodic trigger mode is used, a reporting periodicity needs to be set), measurement reporting thresholds (e.g., when event trigger mode is used, an event reporting threshold needs to be set), a QoS measurement reporting path / target entity (e.g., PCF / AF / local NEF where reporting is performed) to which the measurement is reported, a direct measurement reporting indication, and the like. Information such as uplink delay, downlink delay, or round-trip delay monitored by the UPF may be reported to the SMF through the N4 interface, and the SMF then reports the information to the PCF. Optionally, the AF may directly or indirectly subscribe to relevant events from the PCF via the NEF, for example, the AF may subscribe to QoS monitoring and further receive relevant delay measurement results from the PCF, where the delay results obtained by the PCF are obtained from the SMF.

[0083] Optionally, the SMF may send an N1N2MessageTransfer message to the AMF, where the N2 SM information sent to the RAN may carry information such as QoS monitoring indication information and QoS monitoring frequency. After receiving the QoS monitoring indication information sent by the SMF via the AMF, the RAN can start measuring the uplink delay between the UE and the RAN. The specific delay measurement frequency is the QoS monitoring frequency. Optionally, the RAN may refuse to perform QoS monitoring. For example, after the NG-RAN receives an N2 message sent by the SMF via the AMF (the N2 message includes QoS monitoring indication information and the like), the RAN may refuse to perform QoS monitoring due to load conditions and the like. Optionally, the SMF may send a QoS monitoring policy to the UPF. For example, the SMF may send an N4 rule to the UPF through an N4 Session Modify Request message, where the N4 rule includes the QoS monitoring policy.

[0084] Below we describe different scenarios for QoS monitoring.

[0085] Scenario 1: QoS monitoring between NG-RAN and PSA UPF. Measurement granularity is per UE or per QoS flow.

[0086] First, the network performs QoS measurement activation, including end-to-end (UE-RAN-PSA UPF) QoS measurements per QoS flow activated by the SMF in a PDU establishment or modification procedure. For example, the SMF sends a QoS monitoring request message to the PSA UPF over the N4 interface, and the SMF sends a QoS monitoring request message to the NG-RAN over the N2 interface. The QoS monitoring request message includes QoS monitoring parameters determined by the SMF based on a locally configured QoS monitoring policy or a QoS monitoring policy received from the PCF.

[0087] Next, the NG-RAN receives the QoS monitoring request message and starts QoS monitoring. For example, the RAN node starts uplink or downlink delay detection on the RAN side based on the QoS monitoring request message from the SMF. The RAN node may transmit the uplink or downlink delay measurement result obtained through detection by the RAN node to the PSA UPF through an uplink data packet or an uplink null packet. For example, the delay measurement and monitoring between the NG-RAN and the PSA UPF includes the following steps:

[0088] (1) The PSA UPF sends a monitoring data packet to the RAN based on the QoS reporting frequency received from the SMF. For the monitoring data packet, the PSA UPF may include, in the GTP-U header, a QFI identifier, QoS monitoring indication information, a time T1 at which the PSA UPF sends the downlink monitoring data packet, and the like.

[0089] (2) The NG-RAN receives the monitoring data packet from the PSA UPF and records the time T2 when the downlink monitoring data packet is received and the time T1 when the UPF sends the downlink monitoring data packet.

[0090] (3) The NG-RAN receives an uplink data packet from the UE and sends the uplink data packet to the PSA UPF to measure the uplink delay. Alternatively, the NG-RAN directly sends an uplink null packet to the PSA UPF to measure the uplink delay. For example, the NG-RAN may encapsulate the QoS monitoring indication information, the uplink delay result or the downlink delay result obtained through measurement by the RAN, T1, T2, the time T3 at which the NG-RAN sends the uplink monitoring data packet, and the like, in the GTP-U header.

[0091] (4) The PSA UPF receives an uplink monitoring data packet from the NG-RAN and records the time T4 when the uplink monitoring data packet is received. Based on this, the PSA UPF can calculate the round-trip delay between the PSA UPF and the NG-RAN, or the one-way uplink delay or downlink delay. In addition, if the NG-RAN includes the delay between the UE and the NG-RAN measured by the NG-RAN in the GTP-U header, the PSA UPF can obtain the delay status between the UE and the RAN.

[0092] (5) The PSA UPF reports the QoS measurement results. For example, the PSA UPF reports based on the size of the delay measurement results (the delay between the UE and the RAN, or the delay between the UE, the RAN, and the PSA UPF). If the delay measurement results are greater than the delay threshold sent by the SMF, the UPF sends the delay measurement results to the SMF through the N4 interface. Optionally, in a redundant session dual connectivity transmission scenario, the UPF may send the delay measurement results of the two uplink paths to the SMF.

[0093] Scenario 2: QoS monitoring between NG-RAN and PSA UPF. The measurement granularity is GTP-U granularity.

[0094] The SMF may activate the RAN for QoS monitoring on the GTP-U path between the RAN and all UPFs connected to the RAN according to a local configuration policy. For example, if the PCF sends a QoS monitoring policy to the SMF and QoS monitoring is not activated by a differentiated services code point (DSCP) corresponding to 5QI in the PCC rule, the SMF may activate all associated UPFs for the PDU session and the RAN to perform QoS monitoring. For example, when the QoS monitoring includes performing delay monitoring, a GTP-U endpoint (e.g., a GTP-U sender or a GTP-U receiver) may compare the data packet delay obtained through measurement with the PDB parameters (i.e., PDB parameters) according to the QoS monitoring policy received from the SMF. If the data packet delay exceeds the PDB parameters, the UPF may send alarm information to the SMF or operation, administration, and maintenance (OAM), where the alarm information indicates that the data packet delay exceeds the PDB parameters. The RAN may measure and send (e.g., through the N3 interface) the uplink or downlink data packet delay obtained through RAN-side measurements to the UPF. The UPF may calculate the uplink or downlink data packet delay of the N3 interface / N9 interface (where N9 corresponds to when an intermediate UPF (I-UPF) exists). The UPF may then report the QoS monitoring results. For example, the UPF may send the QoS monitoring results to the SMF through the N4 interface, or the UPF may send the QoS monitoring results to the AF via the local NEF.

[0095] 3. N4 interface reporting procedure between UPF and SMF

[0096] The UPF may report related events to the SMF using the N4 reporting procedure. For example, the UPF may send an N4 Session Report message to the SMF. After receiving the N4 Session Report message, the SMF may send an N4 Session Report Acknowledgment message to the UPF. Reporting trigger events on the UPF side are configured and provided by the SMF.

[0097] Optionally, when QoS monitoring is performed, the SMF may configure the UPF to report delay detection results. For example, the UPF may calculate uplink data packet delay or downlink data packet delay (e.g., calculate the delay between the RAN and the UPF, or calculate the delay between the UE and the UPF). If the data packet delay obtained through measurement and calculation exceeds a specified threshold or the reporting period expires, the UPF may report the delay detection result to the SMF, where the delay detection result includes that the data packet delay exceeds a specified threshold or that the reporting period expires. Specifically, the N4 reporting path may be, for example, UPF-SMF-PCF-(NEF)-AF, and the reporting path may be specified by the PCF in the PCC rule. The UPF may report QoS monitoring notifications to the AF through a service-oriented interface. For example, the UPF may feedback and report the QoS monitoring results (e.g., including uplink delay, downlink delay, or round-trip delay) to the AF by using the Nnef_AFsessionWithQoS_Notify service of the NEF network element. Optionally, the QoS monitoring result may be reported to an API corresponding to the AF. For example, the QoS monitoring result (including uplink delay, downlink delay, round trip delay, or the like) may be fed back to the AF by using the Nnef_AFsessionWithQoS_Notify service of the NEF network element.

[0098] 4. SEALDD Strengthening Layer Architecture

[0099] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the SEALDD enforcement layer architecture. The SEALDD enforcement layer includes a SEALDD client and a SEALDD server. The SEALDD client runs on the UE as part of the UE, in the form of software or a system component. The SEALDD server shown in FIG. 3 can alternatively be deployed between the UPF and the AS. The interface structure between modules shown in FIG. 3 includes: the VAL client communicates with the SEALDD client through the SEALDD-C interface, and the VAL server communicates with the SEALDD server through the SEALDD-S interface. User plane data transmission between the SEALDD client and the SEALDD server is performed through the SEALDD-UU interface. The SEALDD-UU interface is maintained on a user plane session established by the 3GPP network system. The SEALDD server can perform control plane message communication with the PCF through the N33 / N5 interface. For example, the N5 interface is the interface between the AF and the PCF. The N33 interface is the interface between the AF and the NEF. The AF can indirectly communicate with the PCF via the NEF. The SEALDD server may send AF requests to the 5GC or subscribe to notifications from the 5GC. The SEALDD server may also perform user plane data transmission with the UPF through the N6 interface. SEALDD servers interact with each other through the SEALDD-E interface, including control plane context transmission and user plane data forwarding. It may be understood that the VAL client may be an AC in the UE. The VAL server may be an EAS or an AS. It may be further understood that when the VAL has the capability to support the SEALDD service, the SEALDD enhancement layer architecture shown in Figure 3 is used, so that the VAL can implement functions related to the SEALDD service. Specifically, during uplink transmission of user plane data, the VAL client first sends an application data packet to the SEALDD client.The SEALDD client encapsulates a data packet and sends the encapsulated data packet to the SEALDD server. The SEALDD server parses the data packet and then sends the parsed data packet to the VAL server. Downlink transmission of user plane data can be understood to be a similar procedure.

[0100] It should be noted that when the data plane and the control plane are not distinguished, the AS and the AF can be used together or can replace each other. In other words, the AS and the AF can be physically deployed on the same server. Alternatively, when the data plane and the control plane are distinguished, the AS and the AF are configured to perform different functions. For example, an AS in 5GC can perform user plane data transmission with the UPF over the N6 interface. In another example, an AF in 5GC can perform control plane message communication with the PCF over the N5 interface or the N33 interface.

[0101] 5. Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) Network elements collect statistics on QoS, service experience, and the like, and evaluate and predict them.

[0102] Currently, the NWDAF can collect network performance information, such as statistics about the QoS, service experience, and the like of a specified UE using a specific service in a specific area, and can evaluate and predict them. In addition, the NWDAF can further transmit the results of the statistics, evaluation, and prediction to the AF, so that the AF can select a data network access identifier (DNAI).

[0103] Specifically, information that may be collected by the NWDAF may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0104] (1) The NWDAF may collect performance status of a specified UE at a specific location for a specific period of time from the AF when the UE is connected to the address of an APP server of a specific application at a specific location. The performance data information may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following information: average delay, average packet loss rate, average throughput, and the like. For example, the NWDAF may obtain corresponding performance data based on information such as a UE ID, a UE location, an application ID, an application location, and an application server instance address.

[0105] (2) The NWDAF may collect the air interface status of a designated UE in a specific cell at a specific time from the OAM, where the air interface status includes information such as reference signal received power (RSRP) and signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR). For example, the NWDAF may obtain the corresponding air interface status based on information such as UE ID, UE location, timestamp, and cell ID.

[0106] (3) The NWDAF may collect information such as the QFI to which the UE session belongs in a specific APP service (IP filter) corresponding to the specified DNAI, and the rate, data packet delay, and data packet retransmission rate of the QFI from the SMF and UPF. For example, the NWDAF may obtain the following information: a. Information about mobility management (MM) collected from the AMF, such as UE location and UE identifier; b. SM-related information collected from the SMF, such as single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI), application ID information, DNAI, IP packet filtering information, and UPF information of session services; and c. Information about data packet measurements collected from the UPF, such as QoS flow packet bit rate, QoS flow data packet delay, number of data packet transmissions, and number of data packet retransmissions.

[0107] (4) The granularity of the service experience provided by the NWDAF can be determined as a specific software (application ID), and the service (S-NSSAI) is acquired by a specific slice. When the UE acquires a service in a specific area (target area, TA granularity) based on a specific DNAI via the UPF, the corresponding service experience status of the UE's service can be recognized.

[0108] For example, for information collected by the NWDAF from the AF, OAM, 5GC, and the like, the NWDAF can publish information about the service experience to the AF. For example, the AF can subscribe to service experience filtering information (e.g., analysis filter information) from the NWDAF, where the analysis filter information includes an application ID, a DNAI, an area of ​​interest, and the like. The service experience information includes slice service experience information, application service experience information, and the like.

[0109] (5) The NWDAF may disclose statistics or predictions of the service experience of the UE performing the APP service by accessing the network based on the DNAI at a specific location to another network element or an external AF. The statistics or predictions may be used for DNAI selection.

[0110] 6. QoS measurement

[0111] Currently, both the SEALDD server and the SEALDD client can provide end-to-end QoS measurement from the UE to the SEALDD server. For example, Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of QoS measurement, where QoS measurement is implemented through interactions between the VAL client, the SEALDD client, the SEALDD server, and the VAL server. The following steps are included:

[0112] Step 1: The VAL server sends a service subscription request message to the SEALDD server, where the service subscription request message is used to request a data transmission service. The service subscription request message may include requirement information for performing end-to-end QoS measurement, SEALDD connection information designated for performing QoS measurement, and the like.

[0113] Step 2: The SEALDD server sends a service subscription response message to the VAL server, where the service subscription response message is used to feedback the response.

[0114] Step 3: Establish a SEALDD connection and establish a data transmission connection from the SEALDD client to the SEALDD server. Note that step 3 is an optional condition. In another possible implementation, before step 1, a data transmission connection is established between the SEALDD client and the SEALDD server.

[0115] Step 4: The SEALDD server sends the downlink data packet to the SEALDD client and includes timestamp information in the downlink data packet (eg, packet header).

[0116] Step 5: The SEALDD client receives the downlink data packet sent by the SEALDD server, performs measurements, and records the timestamp information of the SEALDD client. The SEALDD client sends an uplink data packet to the SEALDD server, where the uplink data packet holds the receiving time of the downlink data packet and the sending time of the uplink data packet.

[0117] Step 6: The SEALDD server may calculate transmission delay based on the uplink data packets sent by the SEALDD client, collect statistics such as packet loss rate, bandwidth information, and the like of the data packets, and generate a measurement report.

[0118] Step 7: The SEALDD server sends the measurement report to the VAL server.

[0119] 7. Core Network Deployment Level:

[0120] For example, Figure 5 is a diagram of core network deployment levels, where the deployment levels can be specifically classified into metro core, provincial backbone core, and regional / national backbone core. Each level has an equipment room where an independent UPF is deployed and may have a different DNAI for UPF selection. For example, different provinces may each have an independent UPF, and the independent UPFs may be connected to different data networks (DNs), resulting in different DNAIs. Furthermore, specific deployments at levels below the metro core relate to the distribution of RANs and access rings. Each RAN node is connected to an access ring and to the core network via an aggregation ring. Through the hierarchical deployment of RAN nodes and UPF nodes, it can be seen that the RAN can be connected to a UPF at a different level via the aggregation ring, for example, an area-level UPF, a provincial-level UPF, or a regional-level UPF. UPFs at different levels are distinguished by their DNAIs. When a UE does not move, the RAN node does not change. The UE can access the network by changing its DNAI and switching to a UPF at a different level.

[0121] II. COMMUNICATION METHODS PROVIDED HEREIN

[0122] Example 1: Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to the present application. The communication method is applied to the communication system shown in Figure 1. For example, the communication method can be performed by a transmission server (e.g., a first transmission server), and includes the following steps:

[0123] S101: A first transmission server determines to switch the first transmission server based on first service quality measurement information and / or first service quality monitoring information.

[0124] The first service quality measurement information includes information about the service quality of the service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device. The first transport client is a terminal device (including a SEALDD client) served by the first transport server. Specifically, the first service quality measurement information includes information about the service quality obtained through measurement by the first SEALDD client and / or analysis information from a network data analysis function network element. The information about the service quality obtained through measurement by the first SEALDD client may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following information: delay, throughput, packet loss rate, and the like. Specifically, the SEALDD server may measure UE (or SEALDD client)-RAN-UPF-SEALDD server QoS information. For example, the first SEALDD client may perform measurements by using the QoS measurement steps described in Section 6 above to obtain UE-RAN-UPF-SEALDD server QoS information (e.g., obtain the delay, throughput, packet loss rate, and the like of the above path through measurements). For analysis information from the Network Data Analysis Function network element NWDAF, please refer to the information that can be collected by the NWDAF described in Section 5 above. For example, the NWDAF can collect the performance status (e.g., including average delay, average packet loss rate, and average throughput) of a specified UE at a specific location for a specific period of time when the UE is connected to the address of an APP server of a specific application at a specific location from a SEALDD server (e.g., a first SEALDD client). This is not a limitation in this application.

[0125] The first service quality monitoring information includes a path between the first transmission client and the access network device, and / or a path between the first access network device and the first user plane function network element. Specifically, the first service quality monitoring information may include QoS measurement information of the path (e.g., information such as delay, throughput, and packet loss rate of the path between the first transmission client and the access network device), or the first service quality monitoring information is indication information indicating whether the QoS information of the path exceeds a threshold (in other words, whether there is a QoS abnormality). For example, in the current SA2 mechanism, the AF (i.e., the SEALDD server in this application) may request QoS monitoring from the 5GC and feedback UE-RAN QoS measurement information, RAN-UPF QoS measurement information, or UE-RAN-UPF QoS measurement information, or feedback whether the UE-RAN QoS information, RAN-UPF QoS measurement information, or UE-RAN-UPF QoS measurement information exceeds a threshold (in other words, whether there is a QoS abnormality). For specific implementation details, please refer to the description of the QoS monitoring mechanism in Section 2 above. The details will not be explained again here.

[0126] Specifically, S101 includes the following cases:

[0127] Case 1: When the first transmission server determines, based on the first service quality measurement information, that the service quality of the service provided by the first transmission server connected to the first transmission client through the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the service quality requirement of the application layer application, the first transmission server determines to switch the first transmission server. In other words, the first transmission server may determine whether to switch the first transmission server based on the first service quality measurement information.

[0128] For example, when the first service quality measurement information includes QoS information obtained by the first SEALDD client by measuring the UE-RAN-UPF-SEALDD server path and the first SEALDD client determines that the QoS information does not meet the service quality requirements of the application layer application, the first SEALDD client determines that the service quality of the data flow is degraded.

[0129] Satisfying the quality of service requirements of application layer applications described in this application may specifically be satisfying the quality of service requirements of VAL applications, including, for example:

[0130] a. The QoS requirements received from the VAL server, i.e., the QoS optimization or guarantee service (including the QoS requirements) requested by the VAL server from the SEALDD server, are satisfied. For example, the first VAL server may send a QoS request message to the first SEALDD client, where the QoS request message includes the QoS requirements and / or information about available VAL servers (when the QoS requirements are not satisfied, the SEALDD server is switched, and the network may also reselect a target VAL server from the available VAL servers to satisfy the QoS requirements).

[0131] b. The QoS requirements obtained by the SEALDD server are satisfied through calculations based on the service type (API type information) subscribed by the VAL or parameters held in the subscription.

[0132] Optionally, the quality of service requirements of the application layer application may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following requirements: delay requirement (e.g., when the delay is less than a predetermined delay threshold, the QoS requirement is met; or when the delay is greater than or equal to the predetermined delay threshold, the QoS requirement is deemed not to be met), packet loss rate requirement (e.g., when the packet loss rate is less than a predetermined packet loss rate threshold, the QoS requirement is met; or when the packet loss rate is greater than or equal to the predetermined packet loss rate threshold, the QoS requirement is deemed not to be met), throughput requirement (e.g., when the throughput is greater than a predetermined throughput threshold, the QoS requirement is met; or when the throughput is less than or equal to the predetermined throughput threshold, the QoS requirement is deemed not to be met), and the like.

[0133] Case 2: When the service quality of the service provided by the first transmission server connected to the first transmission client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the service quality requirement of the application layer application, and the service quality of the path between the first transmission client and the first access network device satisfies the service quality requirement of the first path, the first transmission server determines to switch the first transmission server. Alternatively, when the service quality of the service provided by the first transmission server connected to the first transmission client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the service quality requirement of the application layer application, and the service quality of the path between the first transmission client and the first access network device satisfies the service quality requirement of the first path, the first transmission server determines to switch. In other words, the first transmission server needs to comprehensively consider the first service quality measurement information and the first service quality monitoring information to determine whether to switch the first transmission server. The service quality requirement of the first path is a requirement parameter value for determining whether there is a fault between the UE and the RAN. The quality of service requirement of the first path may be provided by the SEALDD server, may be determined by a core network device (e.g., PCF) based on the QoS requirement, or may be determined by a core network device (e.g., PCF) based on the configuration of the core network device, which is not limited in this application.

[0134] For example, when the UE-RAN QoS measurement information is normal but the service quality of the data flow is degraded, the possible causes are that the UE-RAN is normal but the RAN-UPF-SEALDD server side is abnormal, or that the UE-RAN-UPF side is normal but the N6 path, SEALDD server load, or the like is abnormal. The above two abnormalities can be resolved by switching the SEALDD server. For example, when the UE-RAN-UPF side is normal but the N6 path, SEALDD server load, or the like is abnormal (e.g., poor data transmission quality is caused by an overload of the SEALDD server or VAL server in the equipment room), the RAN and UPF can remain unchanged, and the SEALDD server and / or VAL server can be switched to improve the service quality. In another example, when the UE-RAN is normal but the RAN-UPF-SEALDD server side is abnormal (e.g., poor data transmission quality is caused by UPF overload or congestion generated due to overload of the N3 path), the RAN may remain unchanged, and the UPF and corresponding SEALDD server and VAL server are switched to improve service quality.

[0135] Optionally, the service quality of the path between the first transmission client and the first access network device satisfying the service quality requirement of the first path can also be expressed as the transmission on the path between the first transmission client and the first access network device being normal. For example, when the service quality of the path between the first transmission client and the first access network device satisfies the service quality requirement of the first path, there are the following two cases:

[0136] a. The first transmission server does not receive feedback of an abnormality between the UE and the RAN. For example, the UE-RAN QoS information does not exceed the threshold. Therefore, the abnormality information is not reported by the core network device. Correspondingly, the abnormality information is not received by the SEALDD server.

[0137] b. The first transmission server receives normal QoS information. For example, the SEALDD server receives the QoS information and determines based on the QoS information that the UE-RAN QoS information does not exceed the threshold. In other words, the SEALDD server receives normal QoS information.

[0138] S102: The first transmission server determines the second transmission server.

[0139] The quality of service provided by the second transport server connected to the first transmission client via the first access network device and the second user plane function network element satisfies the quality of service requirement of the application layer application. In other words, when the first transport server cannot satisfy the QoS requirement, the first transport server may select another transport server (e.g., the second transport server) and perform service switchover to the second transport server, so that the first transmission client is served by the second transport server.

[0140] Specifically, the first transmission server determines the second transmission server in the following cases:

[0141] Case 1: When the UE-RAN-UPF side is normal but the overall QoS is degraded, it can be estimated that the degradation is caused by an abnormality in the N6 path, SEALDD server load, or the like (for example, poor data transmission quality is caused by an overload of the SEALDD server or VAL server in the equipment room). In this case, the RAN and UPF may remain unchanged, and the SEALDD server and / or VAL server may be switched. Optionally, before selecting the second transmission server, the first transmission server may obtain one or more of load information and traffic information of available target transmission servers in advance, and determine that the second transmission server meets the service requirements based on the load information and traffic information of the available target transmission server. In this case, the first transmission server and the second transmission server have the same DNAI. Optionally, when QoS degradation occurs but UE-RAN-UPF transmission is normal, the first transmission server may also obtain one or more of load information and traffic information of available target transmission servers, and determine a second transmission server that meets service requirements based on the load information and traffic information of the available target transmission servers.

[0142] Case 2: When the UE-RAN is normal but the overall QoS is degraded, it can be assumed that the degradation is caused by an abnormality on the RAN-UPF-SEALDD server side (for example, the low data transmission quality is caused by congestion due to UPF overload or N3 path overload). In this case, the RAN may remain unchanged, and the UPF and the corresponding SEALDD server and VAL server are switched. Optionally, before selecting the second transmission server, the first transmission server may obtain information about the service quality of using an available target transmission server at the first location in advance, and determine the second transmission server that satisfies the service requirements based on the information about the service quality of the available target transmission server. In this case, the first transmission server and the second transmission server have different DNAIs or the same DNAI.

[0143] Optionally, when the first transmission server performs service switching to the second transmission server, the connection relationship between devices may include the following cases:

[0144] Case 1: A terminal device is connected to a first access network device, which is connected to a first user plane function network element, and the first user plane function network element is connected to a second transmission server (UE-RAN1-UPF1-SEALDD Server 2). In other words, only the first transmission server is replaced, and the connection relationships between other devices remain unchanged, continuing to provide VAL services to the terminal device. In Case 1, the second user plane function network element and the first user plane function network element are the same network element.

[0145] Case 2: The terminal device is connected to a first access network device, the first access network device is connected to a second user plane function network element, and the second user plane function network element is connected to a second transport server (UE-RAN1-UPF2-SEALDDServer2). In other words, the first transport server and the first user plane function network element are replaced, and the connection relationships between other devices remain unchanged, continuing to provide VAL services to the terminal. In Case 2, the second user plane function network element and the first user plane function network element are different network elements.

[0146] Case 3: The terminal device is connected to a second access network device, which is connected to a second user plane function network element, and the second user plane function network element is connected to a second transport server (UE-RAN2-UPF2-SEALDDServer2). In other words, the first transport server, the first user plane function network element, and the first access network device are replaced and continue to provide VAL services to the terminal. In Case 3, the second user plane function network element and the first user plane function network element are different network elements.

[0147] In this example, the first transmission server may determine whether to switch the first transmission server based on the QoS information acquired through measurement and the QoS information acquired through 5GC monitoring between the UE and the RAN, between the RAN and the UPF, or between the UE, the RAN, and the UPF. If switching is necessary, the first transmission server may determine a second transmission server that satisfies the QoS requirements, so that the first transmission server may be switched to the second transmission server, thereby helping to guarantee QoS.

[0148] The following further describes Example 1 by using two specific examples including interaction procedures between the SEALDD server and the 5GC, RAN, and SEALDD client.

[0149] 7 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method according to the present application. For example, the communication method may be implemented through interactions between a SEALDD server (e.g., including a first transmission server and a second transmission server), a VAL server (e.g., including a first application layer server and a second application layer server), a 5GC, and a SEALDD client (e.g., including a first transmission client), and includes the following steps:

[0150] S201: A first transport server determines information about the quality of service requirements of an application layer application and available target application layer servers.

[0151] The manner in which the first transport server determines the quality of service requirements of the application layer application may include, but is not limited to, the following manners:

[0152] Method 1: The first application layer server directly sends the quality of service requirements of the application layer application to the first transport server. Correspondingly, the first transport server receives the quality of service requirements of the application layer application from the first application layer server. For example, the first VAL server sends a QoS request message (e.g., a QoS requirement subscription) to the first SEALDD client, where the QoS request message includes the QoS requirements and information about available target application layer servers (available target VAL servers) (e.g., identification information and location information of the available target VAL servers).

[0153] Method 2: The first transmission server obtains the quality of service requirements of the application layer application through calculation. For example, the first application layer server does not directly send the quality of service requirements of the application layer application to the first transmission server, but includes the API type or other related parameters in the request message sent. In this way, the first transmission server can obtain the quality of service requirements of the application layer application through calculation based on the API type or other related parameters in the request message.

[0154] Determining (also referred to as obtaining) information about available target application layer servers by the first transmission server may specifically involve receiving information about the target application layer servers from the first application layer server.

[0155] Optionally, after S201, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0156] (1) The first transmission client establishes a connection with the first transmission server, and the first transmission server can obtain address information and location information of the current terminal device (including the first transmission client).

[0157] (2) The first transport server determines information about available target transport servers based on information about available target application layer servers. The information about available target transport servers may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following information: a transport server identifier, an application service identifier, a transport server address, an application service address, and the like. For example, the first SEALDD client may discover information about available SEALDD servers (e.g., including information about one or more SEALDD servers) through a Common API (application programming interface) framework (CAPIF) or an edge enable layer (EEL), and obtain information about available target transport servers through querying the information about available SEALDD servers by using information about the target VAL server (VAL server 2) or VAL server ID information (or VAL service information) as an index. The first transport server determines available target transport servers based on information about available target application layer servers. The available target transport servers include one or more transport servers (e.g., including the second transport server). In this example, the available target transport servers are transport servers with the same DNAI. In other words, the available target transport server and the first transport server access the same data network and are connected to the same UPF.

[0158] S202: The first transmission server sends a first message to an available target transmission server, where the first message is used to obtain at least one of traffic information and load information of the available target transmission server.

[0159] For example, the first transmission server sends a first message to the second transmission server to obtain at least one of traffic information and load information of the second transmission server. The traffic information of the available target transmission server includes information such as the bandwidth of the N6 path corresponding to the available target transmission server (e.g., including the bandwidth of the N6 path between UPF1 and SEALDD server 2 shown in FIG. 1). The load information of the available target transmission server includes the usage status of the processing resources (e.g., computing resources) of the available target transmission server, for example, the usage status of the computing resources of SEALDD server 2 shown in FIG. 1.

[0160] For example, the first message includes information about the target VAL server (VAL server 2) or VAL server ID information (or VAL service information), and the first transmission server can obtain at least one of traffic information and load information of the corresponding target SEALDD server based on the above information.

[0161] Optionally, a precondition for the first transport server to send the first message to an available target transport server may be that the service quality of the service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the service quality requirement of the application layer application, and the service quality of the path from the first transport client to the first access network device to the first user plane function network element satisfies the service quality requirement of the second path. For example, the first transport server may determine, based on the first service quality measurement information, that the service quality is abnormal (the service quality requirement of the application layer application is not satisfied) but that the UE-RAN-UPF in the first service quality monitoring information is normal (the service quality requirement of the second path is satisfied). In this case, the first transport server may determine a second transport server that can be selected based on load information and traffic information, and may send the first message to the second transport server and obtain at least one of traffic information and load information of the second transport server.

[0162] Optionally, after S202, the method further includes the following steps:

[0163] (3) After the available target transmission server receives the first message from the first transmission server, an authority check is performed to determine whether the target transmission server is available.

[0164] (4) The available target transmission server that passes the authority check sends a first response message to the first transmission server based on the authority check status.

[0165] For specific implementations of the above steps (3) and (4), please refer to the descriptions in existing protocol standards, which are not limited in this application.

[0166] S203: The first transmission server sends a fourth message to the core network device, where the fourth message is used to obtain first service quality monitoring information.

[0167] For a description of the first service quality monitoring information, please refer to the corresponding description in Example 1. Details will not be described again here. For example, the first SEALDD client subscribes to a QoS monitoring notification from the 5GC. The first SEALDD client may perform the subscription through a network element such as an NRM server or an NEF. The QoS monitoring notification includes a SEALDD traffic descriptor and QoS requirements. Optionally, the fourth message may be used to subscribe to traffic information of the N3 path, for example, to obtain traffic information of the N3 path between the RAN and UPF1 shown in FIG. 1. Optionally, the QoS requirements in S203 may be different from the QoS requirements sent by the VAL server 1 in S201. Specifically, the format or indicator of the QoS requirements may be different.

[0168] Optionally, after S203, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0169] (5) The first transmission server and the first transmission client perform QoS measurements on the SEALDD traffic transmission.

[0170] For the specific implementation of step (5), please refer to the description of QoS measurements in Section 6 above. The details will not be repeated here.

[0171] Optionally, the execution order of S202 and S203 is not limited in the present application. For example, S202 may be executed first, and then S203 may be executed. In another example, S203 may be executed first, and then S202 may be executed.

[0172] S204: Based on the first service quality measurement information, the first transmission server determines that the service quality of the service provided by the first transmission server connected to the first transmission client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the service quality requirements of the application layer application.

[0173] For the specific implementation of S204, please refer to the corresponding description in Example 1. The details will not be described again here.

[0174] Optionally, the execution order of the above S202, S203, and S204 is not limited in the present application. For example, S202 and S203 may be executed first, and then S204 is executed. In another example, S204 may be executed first, and then S202 and S203 are executed (in this way, it is possible to avoid continuously sending request messages to 5GC to perform QoS monitoring; instead, QoS monitoring is performed only after the target SEALDD server is discovered and QoS degradation occurs).

[0175] S205: The first transport server obtains at least one of traffic information and load information of available target transport servers.

[0176] For example, the first transport server receives traffic information and load information from the second transport server, where the traffic information and load information may include a current load status and a total traffic transport load status of the second transport server (e.g., including a data flow load status of all services across the second transport server), and the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers.

[0177] S206: The first transport server determines a second transport server that satisfies the service quality requirement of the application layer application based on at least one of traffic information and load information of the available target transport servers.

[0178] For example, if the first SEALDD client determines based on the QoS monitoring information that no abnormality occurs between the UE, the RAN, and the UPF, it indicates that the transmission quality degradation is caused by the abnormal operation status of the first SEALDD client and / or abnormal transmission on the N6 interface. For the purpose of QoS guarantee, the first SEALDD client may select a second transmission server from the available target transmission servers that can meet the service quality requirements of the application based on the load and traffic status of the available target transmission servers.

[0179] Optionally, after S206, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0180] (6) A transition from the first transmission server to the second transmission server is performed.

[0181] For example, if the SEALDD service is migrated from a first transport server to a second transport server, the VAL server also changes from a first application layer server corresponding to the first transport server to a second application layer server corresponding to the second transport server. For specific implementation details, please refer to the descriptions in existing protocol standards. Details will not be described again here.

[0182] In this example, the SEALDD server subscribes to both the QoS monitoring results of 5GC and the load information and / or traffic information of another SEALDD server with the same DNAI. If the SEALDD server detects that the current QoS measurement is degraded and determines that no abnormality occurs between the UE, RAN, and UPF based on the QoS monitoring information, the SEALDD server can perform QoS guarantee by switching to another SEALDD server with the same DNAI.

[0183] Example 3: Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method according to the present application. For example, the communication method may be implemented through interactions between a SEALDD server (e.g., including a first transmission server and a second transmission server), a VAL server (e.g., including a first application layer server), a 5GC, and a SEALDD client (e.g., including a first transmission client), and includes the following steps:

[0184] S301: A first transport server determines information about the quality of service requirements of an application layer application and available target application layer servers.

[0185] The manner in which the first transport server determines the quality of service requirements of the application layer application may include, but is not limited to, the following manners:

[0186] Method 1: The first application layer server directly sends the quality of service requirements of the application layer application to the first transport server. Correspondingly, the first transport server receives the quality of service requirements of the application layer application from the first application layer server. For example, the first VAL server sends a QoS request message (e.g., a QoS requirement subscription) to the first SEALDD client, where the QoS request message includes the QoS requirements and information about available target application layer servers (available target VAL servers) (e.g., identification information and location information of the available target VAL servers).

[0187] Method 2: The first transmission server obtains the quality of service requirements of the application layer application through calculation. For example, the first application layer server does not directly send the quality of service requirements of the application layer application to the first transmission server, but includes the API type or other related parameters in the request message sent. In this way, the first transmission server can obtain the quality of service requirements of the application layer application through calculation based on the API type or other related parameters in the request message.

[0188] Determining (also referred to as obtaining) information about available target application layer servers by the first transmission server may specifically involve receiving information about the target application layer servers from the first application layer server.

[0189] Optionally, after S301, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0190] (1) The first transmission client establishes a connection with the first transmission server, and the first transmission server can obtain address information and location information of the current terminal device (including the first transmission client).

[0191] (2) The first transport server obtains information about available target transport servers based on information about available target application layer servers. For example, the first SEALDD client may discover information about available SEALDD servers (e.g., including information about one or more SEALDD servers) through a Common API (application programming interface) framework (CAPIF) or EEL, and obtain information about available target transport servers through querying the information about available SEALDD servers by using information about the target VAL server (VAL server 2) or VAL server ID information (or VAL service information) as an index. The first transport server determines available target transport servers based on the information about available target application layer servers. The available target transport servers include one or more transport servers (e.g., including the second transport server). In this example, the available target transport servers may be transport servers with different DNAIs. In other words, the available target transport servers and the first transport server access different data networks and are connected to different UPFs. Optionally, when selecting a different DNAI, the first transport server needs to further consider the level of the physical location (topological connection) represented by the DNAI. Optionally, in this example, the available target transport server may alternatively be a transport server with the same DNAI. In other words, the available target transport server and the first transport server access the same data network and are connected to the same UPF.

[0192] S302: The first transmission server obtains the first location of the first transmission client.

[0193] The first location includes a location area where a first transmission client served by the first transmission server is located. For example, the first location includes the target area 1 shown in FIG. 1. Optionally, the first location may be information such as a geographical location, a geographical area, a cell identifier, or a DNAI of the UE. This is not limited in the present application.

[0194] In Example 3, the first transport server may request to obtain information about the service quality of available target transport servers from different devices. For example, the following cases are included:

[0195] Case 1: As shown in S303a, the first transport server requests to obtain information about the service quality of the available target transport server from the available target transport server.

[0196] S303a: The first transport server sends a second message to an available target transport server, where the second message includes information about the first location and / or the available target application layer server.

[0197] For example, the first transport server may send a second message to the second transport server, where the second message includes information about the first location and / or available target application layer servers. In other words, after determining the available target transport server and obtaining the first location, the first transport server may send a second message to the available target transport server. The second message is used to obtain information about the quality of service of using the available target transport server at the first location. For example, the first SEALDD client may send a second message to the second SEALDD server, where the second message is used to subscribe to QoS measurement notifications. The second message includes information about the target VAL server or information about the VAL service, and further includes the first location (e.g., UE location information). In another example, the first SEALDD client may send a request message to the second SEALDD server, where the request message is used to request obtaining information about the quality of service of using the available target transport server at the first location. In response, the second SEALDD server sends a response message to the first SEALDD client, where the response message includes information about the quality of service of using an available target transport server at the first location.

[0198] Case 2: As shown in S303b, the first transport server requests to obtain information about the service quality of available target transport servers from the core network device 5GC.

[0199] S303b: The first transmission server sends a third message to the core network device, where the third message includes one or more of the following information: the first location, information about an available target transmission server, or a data network access identifier associated with the available target transmission server.

[0200] The third message is used to obtain information about the quality of service of using an available target transport server at the first location. Optionally, the core network device is an NWDAF. For example, the first SEALDD client subscribes to QoS measurement notifications from the NWDAF, where the QoS measurement notifications include information about the target VAL server or information about the VAL service, and further include the first location (e.g., UE location information) and the target DNAI.

[0201] Optionally, the information about service quality obtained in S303a and S303b may specifically be information about service quality of an end-to-end link, for example, information about service quality of an end-to-end link: UE (SEALDD client)-RAN-UPF-SEALDD server is obtained.

[0202] It can be understood that S303a and S303b are two possible implementations of one step, and during a specific implementation, only one of the two steps needs to be selected for execution.

[0203] Optionally, after S303a or S303b, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0204] (3) After the available target transmission server receives the second message from the first transmission server, an authority check is performed to determine whether the target transmission server is available.

[0205] (4) The available target transmission server that passes the authority check sends a second response message to the first transmission server based on the authority check status.

[0206] For specific implementations of the above steps (3) and (4), please refer to the descriptions in existing protocol standards, which are not limited in this application.

[0207] S304: The first transmission server sends a fourth message to the core network device, where the fourth message is used to obtain first service quality monitoring information.

[0208] For the specific implementation of S304, please refer to the explanation in S203, and the details will not be explained again here.

[0209] Optionally, after S304, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0210] (5) The first transmission server and the first transmission client perform QoS measurements on the SEALDD traffic transmission.

[0211] For the specific implementation of step (5), please refer to the description of QoS measurements in Section 6 above. The details will not be repeated here.

[0212] S305: The first transmission server determines, based on the first service quality measurement information, that the service quality of the service provided by the first transmission server connected to the first transmission client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the service quality requirements of the application layer application.

[0213] For the specific implementation of S305, please refer to the corresponding description in Example 1. The details will not be described again here.

[0214] Optionally, the execution order of the above S303a / S303b, S304, and S305 is not limited in the present application. For example, S303a / S303b and S304 may be executed first, and then S305 may be executed. In another example, S305 may be executed first, and then S303a / S303b and S304 may be executed (in this way, it is possible to avoid continuously sending request messages to 5GC to perform QoS monitoring; instead, QoS monitoring is performed only after the target SEALDD server is discovered and QoS degradation occurs).

[0215] S306: The first transport server obtains information about the service quality of using the available target transport server at the first location.

[0216] For example, the first transport server receives a QoS measurement report from the second transport server. Specifically, the QoS measurement report may be specific information about the QoS of the second transport server serving the UE in the first area for the second application layer server (specific VAL service). Optionally, the information about the service quality further includes a load status and a total traffic transport load status of the second SEALDD server (e.g., including a data flow load status of all services across the second transport server). The second transport server is one of the available target transport servers.

[0217] S307: The first transport server determines a second transport server that satisfies the service quality requirements of the application layer application based on the information about the service quality of using the available target transport server at the first location.

[0218] For example, the first SEALDD client may not receive a QoS monitoring report from the 5GC and determine that the data transmission on the RAN side is normal. This indicates that the transmission quality degradation is caused by at least one of the following abnormalities: an abnormal operation status of the first SEALDD client, an abnormal operation of the RAN-UPF, and an abnormal operation of the UPF-SEALDD server. For the purpose of QoS guarantee, the first SEALDD client may determine a second transmission server based on information about the service quality of using an available target transmission server at the first location.

[0219] Optionally, after S307, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0220] (6) A transition from the first transmission server to the second transmission server is performed.

[0221] For example, if the SEALDD service is migrated from a first transport server to a second transport server, the VAL server also changes from a first application layer server corresponding to the first transport server to a second application layer server corresponding to the second transport server. For specific implementation details, please refer to the descriptions in existing protocol standards. Details will not be described again here.

[0222] In this example, the SEALDD server subscribes to both the QoS monitoring results of 5GC and the results of QoS measurements for a particular UE location performed by a SEALDD server (e.g., a SEALDD server with a different DNAI). If the SEALDD server detects that the current QoS measurements are degraded but does not receive the QoS monitoring result degradation notification sent by the 5GC, the SEALDD server may perform SEALDD server switching across DNAIs to guarantee QoS.

[0223] Optionally, corresponding steps may be performed separately in Example 2 and Example 3, or Example 2 and Example 3 may be combined into one example to perform corresponding steps. For example, the first transmission server may obtain both information about service quality corresponding to the same DNAI and information about service quality corresponding to different DNAI, and help determine whether to perform switching between SEALDD servers having the same DNAI or different DNAI for QoS guarantee.

[0224] Example 4: Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method according to the present application. The communication method is applied to the communication system shown in Figure 1. For example, the communication method can be implemented through interactions between a transmission server (SEALDD server), an application layer server (VAL server), a 5GC, and a transmission client (SEALDD client), and includes the following steps:

[0225] S401: A transmission server obtains a first quality of service requirement.

[0226] The manner in which the transmission server obtains the first quality of service requirement may include, but is not limited to, the following manners:

[0227] Method 1: The application layer server directly sends the first quality of service requirement to the transport server. Correspondingly, the transport server may receive the first quality of service requirement from the application layer server. For example, the first VAL server may send a QoS request message to the first SEALDD client, where the QoS request message includes the QoS requirement used to request QoS optimization or guaranteed service.

[0228] Method 2: The transmission server obtains the first quality of service requirement through calculation. For example, the application layer server does not directly send the first quality of service requirement to the transmission server, but includes the API type or other related parameters in the request message sent. In this way, the transmission server can obtain the first quality of service requirement through calculation based on the API type or other related parameters in the request message. For a description of the quality of service requirement, please refer to the corresponding description in S101. Details will not be described again here.

[0229] Optionally, after S401, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0230] (1) The transmission client establishes a connection with the transmission server, and the transmission server can obtain the address information and location information of the current terminal device (including the transmission client).

[0231] For the specific implementation of the above step (1), please refer to the corresponding description in the existing protocol standard, which is not limited in this application.

[0232] S402: The transmission server obtains information about the service quality of the terminal device using the service of the transmission server at the second location.

[0233] The information about the service quality of the terminal device using the service of the transmission server at the second location may also be referred to as predicted information about the service quality. The second location is a specific location area. For example, the second location may be a location area where the terminal device is located, and the location area may be a location area of ​​the terminal device determined based on the identification information of the terminal device. For a specific description of the information about the service quality, please refer to the corresponding description in Example 1. Details will not be described again here.

[0234] Specifically, S402 includes the following steps:

[0235] The transmission server sends a fifth message to the NWDAF, where the fifth message is used to obtain information about the service quality based on the information about the terminal device and the service information of the transmission server.

[0236] The transport server receives information about the quality of service from the NWDAF.

[0237] For example, the transmission server sends a fifth message to the NWDAF, where the fifth message includes information about the terminal device (e.g., UE ID), information about the SEALDD server, information about the SEALDD service, or the like. In this way, the NWDAF can obtain information about the service quality of the terminal device's use of the transmission server's service at the second location based on the above information. The NWDAF sends a fifth response message to the transmission server, where the fifth response message includes the information about the service quality.

[0238] Optionally, the manner in which the transmission server sends the fifth message to the NWDAF may include, but is not limited to, the transmission server sending the fifth message to the NWDAF via the NEF, or the transmission server sending the fifth message directly to the NWDAF.

[0239] S403: The transmission server determines a second quality of service requirement of the terminal device based on the first quality of service requirement and the information about the service quality.

[0240] The second quality of service requirement includes a set of one or more quality of service parameters. For example, the SEALDD server calculates the second QoS requirement that the UE should have based on the first QoS requirement of the VAL server and the service experience information fed back by the NWDAF. The second quality of service requirement may be a combination of multiple levels of QoS requirements. For example, the second quality of service requirement includes a combination of a bandwidth requirement and a delay requirement. In other words, satisfying the second quality of service requirement includes satisfying a bandwidth requirement and a delay requirement. Optionally, the second QoS requirement includes an adjustable alternative QoS requirement. For example, the second quality of service requirement includes any combination of multiple bandwidth requirements and multiple delay requirements.

[0241] Optionally, the SEALDD server may further interact with the VAL server to determine whether the second QoS requirements meet the service requirements of the VAL server. If the second QoS requirements meet the service requirements of the VAL server, the service procedure continues to be executed; or if the second QoS requirements do not meet the service requirements of the VAL server, the service is released.

[0242] Optionally, after S403, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0243] (2) The transport server sends a request message to the core network device, where the request message is used to request the core network device to provide a guarantee for the second quality of service requirement.

[0244] The core network device is a NEF or a PCF. For example, a transport server may send an AF request to a PCF, where the AF request includes a second quality of service requirement. The second quality of service requirement may be a specified parameter (e.g., a combination of a specified bandwidth requirement and a specified delay requirement), or may be an adjustable alternative QoS requirement (e.g., including any combination of multiple bandwidth requirements and multiple delay requirements). Optionally, the set of multiple quality of service parameters includes the QoS requirement parameter and other optional QoS requirement parameters, where the other optional QoS requirement parameters have a priority order.

[0245] (3) Core network devices maintain alternative QoS.

[0246] For specific implementations of step (3), please refer to the description of alternative QoS requirements in Section 1 above; details will not be repeated here.

[0247] In this example, after receiving the first service quality requirement of the VAL server, the transmission server can determine the second service quality requirement based on the information about service quality and the first service quality requirement, and perform QoS guarantee for the UE.

[0248] To implement the functions of the methods provided herein, the apparatus or device provided herein may include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and may implement the functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module. Whether the functions in the functions are 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. The module division in this application is an example and is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may exist. In addition, the functional modules in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into one processor, may exist physically alone, or two or more modules may be integrated into one module. The integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware or a software functional module.

[0249] Figure 10 is a diagram of a communication device according to the present application. The device may include modules with a one-to-one correspondence with the methods / operations / steps / actions described in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 6 through 9. The modules may be hardware circuits, may be software, or may be implemented by hardware circuits in combination with software.

[0250] The apparatus 1000 comprises a processing unit 1001 and a communication unit 1002 configured to implement the methods performed by the devices in the above embodiments.

[0251] In a possible implementation, the device is a transport server or is located in the transport server. Specifically, the processing unit 1001 is configured to determine to switch the first transport server based on first service quality measurement information and / or first service quality monitoring information. The first service quality measurement information includes information about the service quality of a service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device. The first service quality monitoring information includes information about the service quality of a path between the first transport client and the first access network device and / or information about the service quality of a path between the first access network device and the first user plane function network element. The processing unit 1001 is further configured to determine a second transport server, where the service quality of the service provided by the second transport server connected to the first transport client via the first access network device and the second user plane function network element satisfies a service quality requirement of an application layer application.

[0252] Optionally, the processing unit 1001 being configured to determine to switch the first transmission server based on the first service quality measurement information and / or the first service quality monitoring information includes:

[0253] When it is determined based on the first service quality measurement information that the service quality of the service provided by the first transmission server connected to the first transmission client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the service quality requirements of the application layer application, and / or the service quality of the path between the first transmission client and the first access network device satisfies the service quality requirements of the first path, the processor 1102 determines to switch the first transmission server.

[0254] Optionally, the communication unit 1002 is configured to receive information about available target application layer servers from the first application layer server, where the information about the available target application layer servers is used to determine an available target transmission server, and the available target transmission server and the first transmission server access the same data network.

[0255] The communication unit 1002 is further configured to send a first message to an available target transmission server, where the first message is used to obtain at least one of traffic information and load information of the available target transmission server.

[0256] The available target transport servers include one or more transport servers.

[0257] Optionally, the processing unit 1001 being configured to determine the second transmission server includes:

[0258] The processor 1102 determines quality of service requirements of the application layer application.

[0259] The processing unit 1001 obtains at least one of traffic information and load information of available target transport servers via the communication unit 1002 .

[0260] The processor 1102 determines, based on at least one of traffic information and load information of the available target transmission servers, that the second transmission server satisfies the service quality requirements of the application layer application, where the second transmission server is one of the available target transmission servers.

[0261] Optionally, the communication unit 1002 is further configured to receive information about available target application layer servers from the first application layer server, where the information about the available target application layer servers is used to determine information about available target transmission servers.

[0262] The communication unit 1002 is further configured to obtain a first location of the first transmitting client.

[0263] The communication unit 1002 is further configured to send a second message to an available target transport server, where the second message includes information about the first location and / or the available target application layer server.

[0264] Optionally, the communication unit 1002 is further configured to receive information about available target application layer servers from the first application layer server, where the information about the available target application layer servers is used to determine information about available target transmission servers.

[0265] The communication unit 1002 is further configured to obtain a first location of the first transmitting client.

[0266] The communication unit 1002 is further configured to send a third message to the core network device, where the third message includes one or more of the following information: the first location, information about an available target transmission server, or a data network access identifier associated with the available target transmission server.

[0267] Optionally, the core network device is a network data analysis function network element.

[0268] Optionally, the second message or the third message is used to obtain information about the quality of service of using available target transport servers at the first location.

[0269] The available target transport servers include one or more transport servers.

[0270] Optionally, the processing unit 1001 being configured to determine the second transmission server includes:

[0271] The processor 1102 determines quality of service requirements of the application layer application.

[0272] The processing unit 1001 obtains, via the communication unit 1002, information about the quality of service of using available target transport servers at a first location.

[0273] The processor 1102 determines a second transport server that satisfies the service quality requirements of the application layer application based on information about the service quality of the available target transport servers, where the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers.

[0274] Optionally, the communication unit 1002 is further configured to send a fourth message to the core network device, where the fourth message is used to obtain the first service quality monitoring information.

[0275] For specific execution procedures of the processing unit 1001 and the communication unit 1002 in this implementation, please refer to the corresponding descriptions in the above method embodiments. Details will not be repeated here. In the communication method implemented by the device, whether to perform a switchover can be determined based on the QoS information obtained through measurement and the UE-RAN QoS information, RAN-UPF QoS information, or UE-RAN-UPF QoS information obtained through 5GC monitoring. If a switchover is necessary, in the communication method implemented by the device, a second transmission server that meets the QoS requirements can be determined, so that the first transmission server can be switched to the second transmission server, which helps guarantee QoS.

[0276] In another possible implementation, the device is a transport server or is located in a transport server. Specifically, the communication unit 1002 is configured to receive a first message from the first transport server, where the first message is used to obtain at least one of traffic information and load information of a second transport server. The processing unit 1001 is configured to send at least one of the traffic information and load information of the second transport server to the first transport server via the communication unit 1002, where the at least one of the traffic information and load information of the second transport server is used by the first transport server to determine a transport server that satisfies a quality of service requirement of an application layer application.

[0277] Optionally, the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers, which are determined by the first transport server based on information about the available target application layer servers.

[0278] For specific execution procedures of the processing unit 1001 and the communication unit 1002 in this implementation, please refer to the corresponding descriptions in the above method embodiments. Details will not be repeated here. In the communication method implemented by the device, if the second transmission server is one of the available target transmission servers, the first transmission server may obtain a corresponding available target transmission server based on information about the available target application layer servers, and subscribe to at least one of traffic information and load information of the available target transmission server, thereby helping the first transmission server determine a second transmission server that meets QoS requirements based on at least one of traffic information and load information of the available target transmission server.

[0279] In another possible implementation, the device is a transport server or is located at a transport server. Specifically, the communication unit 1002 is configured to receive a second message from the first transport server, where the second message includes information about a first location and / or available target application layer servers, where the first location includes a location area where a first transport client served by the first transport server is located, and the information about available target application layer servers is used to determine information about available target transport servers, where the available target transport servers include a second transport server. The processing unit 1001 is configured to send information about the quality of service of using the second transport server at the first location to the first transport server via the communication unit 1002, where the information about the quality of service is used by the first transport server to determine a transport server that meets the quality of service requirements of the application layer application.

[0280] Optionally, the second message is used to obtain information about the quality of service of using available target transport servers at the first location.

[0281] For specific execution procedures of the processing unit 1001 and the communication unit 1002 in this implementation, please refer to the corresponding descriptions in the above method embodiments. Details will not be repeated here. In the communication method implemented by the device, if the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers, the first transport server may obtain information about the available target application layer servers and / or the corresponding available target transport server based on the first location, and subscribe to information about the QoS of using the available target transport server at the first location, thereby helping the first transport server determine the second transport server from the available target transport servers.

[0282] In another possible implementation, the device is a transmission server or is located in the transmission server. Specifically, the processing unit 1001 is configured to obtain a first quality of service requirement. The processing unit 1001 is configured to obtain, via the communication unit 1002, information about the quality of service of a terminal device at a second location using the service of the transmission server. The processing unit 1001 is further configured to determine a second quality of service requirement of the terminal device based on the first quality of service requirement and the information about the quality of service, where the second quality of service requirement includes a set of one or more quality of service parameters.

[0283] Optionally, the processing unit 1001 is further configured to send a fifth message to the network data analysis function network element via the communication unit 1002, where the fifth message is used to obtain information about service quality based on the information about the terminal device and the service information of the transmission server. The communication unit 1002 is further configured to receive information about service quality from the network data analysis function network element.

[0284] Optionally, the processing unit 1001 is further configured to send a request message to the core network device via the communication unit 1002, where the request message is used to request the core network device to provide a guarantee for the second quality of service requirement.

[0285] Optionally, the core network device is a network publishing function network element or a policy control function network element.

[0286] For the specific execution procedures of the processing unit 1001 and the communication unit 1002 in this implementation, please refer to the corresponding description in the above method embodiment. Details will not be repeated here. In the communication method implemented by the device, after receiving the first quality of service requirement of the VAL server, the transmission server can determine the second quality of service requirement based on the information about the service quality and the first quality of service requirement, and perform QoS guarantee.

[0287] 11 is a diagram of another communication device according to the present application. The communication device is configured to implement the communication method in the above method embodiment. The device 1100 may be a chip system or may be a device described in the above method embodiment.

[0288] The device 1100 includes a communication interface 1101 and a processor 1102. The communication interface 1101 may be, for example, a transceiver, an interface, a bus, a circuit, or a device capable of implementing a transceiver function. The communication interface 1101 is configured to communicate with another device via a transmission medium, thereby enabling the device 1100 to communicate with another device. The processor 1102 is configured to perform processing-related operations.

[0289] In a possible implementation, the apparatus 1100 may be a transport server or may be located in the transport server. Specifically, the processor 1102 is configured to determine to switch the first transport server based on first service quality measurement information and / or first service quality monitoring information. The first service quality measurement information includes information about the service quality of a service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device. The first service quality monitoring information includes information about the service quality of a path between the first transport client and the first access network device and / or information about the service quality of a path between the first access network device and the first user plane function network element. The processor 1102 is further configured to determine a second transport server, where the service quality of the service provided by the second transport server connected to the first transport client via the first access network device and the second user plane function network element satisfies a service quality requirement of an application layer application.

[0290] Optionally, being configured by the processor 1102 to determine to switch the first transmission server based on the first service quality measurement information and / or the first service quality monitoring information includes:

[0291] When it is determined based on the first service quality measurement information that the service quality of the service provided by the first transmission server connected to the first transmission client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the service quality requirements of the application layer application, and / or the service quality of the path between the first transmission client and the first access network device satisfies the service quality requirements of the first path, the processor 1102 determines to switch the first transmission server.

[0292] Optionally, the communication interface 1101 is configured to receive information about available target application layer servers from the first application layer server, wherein the information about the available target application layer servers is used to determine an available target transport server, and the available target transport server and the first transport server access the same data network.

[0293] The communication interface 1101 is further configured to send a first message to an available target transmission server, where the first message is used to obtain at least one of traffic information and load information of the available target transmission server.

[0294] The available target transport servers include one or more transport servers.

[0295] Optionally, the processor 1102 being configured to determine the second transport server includes:

[0296] The processor 1102 determines quality of service requirements of the application layer application.

[0297] The processor 1102 acquires at least one of traffic information and load information of available target transport servers through the communication interface 1101 .

[0298] The processor 1102 determines, based on at least one of traffic information and load information of the available target transmission servers, that the second transmission server satisfies the service quality requirements of the application layer application, where the second transmission server is one of the available target transmission servers.

[0299] Optionally, the communication interface 1101 is further configured to receive information about available target application layer servers from the first application layer server, wherein the information about the available target application layer servers is used to determine information about available target transport servers.

[0300] The communication interface 1101 is further configured to obtain a first location of the first transmitting client.

[0301] The communication interface 1101 is further configured to send a second message to an available target transport server, where the second message includes information about the first location and / or the available target application layer server.

[0302] Optionally, the communication interface 1101 is further configured to receive information about available target application layer servers from the first application layer server, wherein the information about the available target application layer servers is used to determine information about available target transport servers.

[0303] The communication interface 1101 is further configured to obtain a first location of the first transmitting client.

[0304] The communication interface 1101 is further configured to send a third message to the core network device, where the third message includes one or more of the following information: the first location, information about an available target transmission server, or a data network access identifier associated with the available target transmission server.

[0305] Optionally, the core network device is a network data analysis function network element.

[0306] Optionally, the second message or the third message is used to obtain information about the quality of service of using available target transport servers at the first location.

[0307] The available target transport servers include one or more transport servers.

[0308] Optionally, the processor 1102 being configured to determine the second transport server includes:

[0309] The processor 1102 determines quality of service requirements of the application layer application.

[0310] The processor 1102 obtains, via the communication interface 1101, information about the quality of service of using available target transport servers at a first location.

[0311] The processor 1102 determines a second transport server that satisfies the service quality requirements of the application layer application based on information about the service quality of the available target transport servers, where the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers.

[0312] Optionally, the communication interface 1101 is further configured to send a fourth message to the core network device, where the fourth message is used to obtain the first service quality monitoring information.

[0313] For specific execution procedures of the communication interface 1101 and the processor 1102 in this implementation, please refer to the description in the above method embodiment. Details will not be repeated here. In the communication method implemented by the device, whether to perform a switchover can be determined based on QoS information obtained through measurement and UE-RAN QoS information, RAN-UPF QoS information, or UE-RAN-UPF QoS information obtained through 5GC monitoring. If a switchover is necessary, in the communication method implemented by the device, a second transmission server that meets QoS requirements can be determined, so that the first transmission server can be switched to the second transmission server. This helps guarantee QoS.

[0314] In another possible implementation, the apparatus 1100 may be a transport server or may be located in a transport server. Specifically, the communication interface 1101 is configured to receive a first message from a first transport server, where the first message is used to obtain at least one of traffic information and load information of a second transport server. The processor 1102 is configured to send at least one of the traffic information and load information of the second transport server to the first transport server through the communication interface 1101, where the at least one of the traffic information and load information of the second transport server is used by the first transport server to determine a transport server that satisfies a quality of service requirement of an application layer application.

[0315] Optionally, the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers, which are determined by the first transport server based on information about the available target application layer servers.

[0316] For specific execution procedures of the communication interface 1101 and the processor 1102 in this implementation, please refer to the description in the above method embodiment. Details will not be described again here. In the communication method implemented by the device, if the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers, the first transport server may obtain a corresponding available target transport server based on information about the available target application layer servers, and subscribe to at least one of traffic information and load information of the available target transport server, thereby helping the first transport server determine the second transport server based on at least one of traffic information and load information of the available target transport server.

[0317] In another possible implementation, the device 1100 may be a transport server or may be located at the transport server. Specifically, the communication interface 1101 is configured to receive a second message from the first transport server, where the second message includes information about a first location and / or available target application layer servers, where the first location includes a location area where a first transport client served by the first transport server is located, and the information about available target application layer servers is used to determine information about available target transport servers, where the available target transport servers include a second transport server. The processor 1102 is configured to send information about quality of service of using the second transport server at the first location to the first transport server through the communication interface 1101, where the information about service quality is used by the first transport server to determine a transport server that satisfies quality of service requirements of the application layer application.

[0318] Optionally, the second message is used to obtain information about the quality of service of using available target transport servers at the first location.

[0319] For specific execution procedures of the communication interface 1101 and the processor 1102 in this implementation, please refer to the description in the above method embodiment. Details will not be described again here. In the communication method implemented by the device, if the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers, the first transport server may obtain information about the available target application layer servers and / or the corresponding available target transport server based on the first location, and subscribe to information about the QoS of using the available target transport server at the first location, thereby helping the first transport server determine the second transport server from the available target transport servers.

[0320] In another possible implementation, the apparatus 1100 may be a transmission server or may be located in the transmission server. Specifically, the communication interface 1101 is configured to acquire a first quality of service requirement. The processor 1102 is configured to acquire, through the communication interface 1101, information about the quality of service of a terminal device at a second location using the service of the transmission server. The processor 1102 is further configured to determine second quality of service requirements for the terminal device based on the first quality of service requirement and the information about the quality of service, where the second quality of service requirements include a set of one or more quality of service parameters.

[0321] Optionally, the processor 1102 is further configured to send a fifth message to the network data analysis function network element through the communication interface 1101, where the fifth message is used to obtain information about service quality based on the information about the terminal device and the service information of the transmission server. The communication interface 1101 is further configured to receive information about service quality from the network data analysis function network element.

[0322] Optionally, the processor 1102 is further configured to send a request message to the core network device via the communication interface 1101, where the request message is used to request the core network device to provide a guarantee for the second quality of service requirement.

[0323] Optionally, the core network device is a network publishing function network element or a policy control function network element.

[0324] For the specific execution procedures of the communication interface 1101 and the processor 1102 in this implementation, please refer to the description in the above method embodiment. Details will not be described again here. In the communication method implemented by the device, after receiving the first quality of service requirement of the VAL server, the transmission server can determine the second quality of service requirement based on the information about the service quality and the first quality of service requirement, and perform QoS guarantee.

[0325] Optionally, the device 1100 may further comprise at least one memory 1103 configured to store program instructions and / or data. In implementations, the memory is coupled to the processor. A coupling in this application refers to an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which may be electrical, mechanical, or in another form, and is used for information exchange between the devices, units, and modules. The processor may perform operations in conjunction with the memory. The processor may execute program instructions stored in the memory. At least one memory and the processor are integrated together.

[0326] The specific connection medium between the communication interface, the processor, and the memory is not limited in this application. For example, the memory, the processor, and the communication interface are connected through a bus. The bus 1104 is represented by using a thick line in FIG. 11. The connection manner between other components is merely an example for explanation and is not limited thereto. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. For ease of representation, the bus is represented by using only one thick line in FIG. 11. However, it does not indicate that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0327] In this application, a processor may be a general-purpose 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, or a discrete hardware component, capable of implementing or executing the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the methods disclosed herein may be implemented directly by a hardware processor, or may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in a processor.

[0328] In this application, memory may be non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), or volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM). Memory is any medium that can hold or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this. Memory in this application may alternatively be a circuit or any other device that can implement a storage function and is configured to store program instructions and / or data.

[0329] The present application provides another communication device. The device includes a processor coupled to a memory. The processor is configured to read and execute computer instructions stored in the memory to implement the communication method of any of the embodiments shown in Figures 6-9.

[0330] The present application provides a communication system, which includes one or more of the devices in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 6-9.

[0331] The present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed on a computer, the computer can execute the communication method in any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 to 9.

[0332] The present application provides a computer program product, which includes instructions, which, when executed on a computer, can cause the computer to perform the communication method in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 9.

[0333] The present application provides a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes at least one processor and an interface. The interface and the at least one processor are interconnected through wiring. The at least one processor is configured to execute computer programs or instructions to perform the communication method in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 9.

[0334] The interface within the chip may be an input / output interface, a pin, a circuit or the like.

[0335] The chip system may be a system on chip (SoC), a baseband chip, or the like. The baseband chip may include a processor, a channel encoder, a digital signal processor, a modem, and an interface module, and the like.

[0336] In implementation, the chip or chip system described above in this application further includes at least one memory for storing instructions, which may be a storage unit within the chip, such as a register or cache, or may be a storage unit of the chip (e.g., a read-only memory or a random access memory).

[0337] The technical solutions provided herein may be implemented in whole or in part by using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement the technical solutions, the technical solutions may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the procedures or functions according to 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, a network device, a terminal device, or another programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from a computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. 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 a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio waves, or microwave) method. A computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, or a data storage device, such as a server or data center, that consolidates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disk drives, or magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), semiconductor media, or the like.

[0338] In this application, embodiments may be cross-referenced when there is no logical contradiction. For example, methods and / or terms in method embodiments may be cross-referenced, and functions and / or terms in apparatus embodiments may be cross-referenced. For example, functions and / or terms between apparatus embodiments and method embodiments may be cross-referenced.

[0339] It is clear that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. As long as these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of protection defined by the following claims and their equivalent technologies, the present application is intended to cover these modifications and variations. 。 [Other possible items] [Item 1] 1. A communication method comprising: determining, by a first transmission server, to switch the first transmission server according to the first service quality measurement information and the first service quality monitoring information; The first service quality measurement information includes information about the service quality of the service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via a first user plane function network element and a first access network device; and The first service quality monitoring information includes information about the service quality of a path between the first transmission client and the first access network device, and information about the service quality of a path between the first access network device and the first user plane function network element; and determining a second transport server by the first transport server, wherein the quality of service provided by the second transport server connected to the first transport client via the first access network device and a second user plane function network element satisfies the quality of service requirement of an application layer application; A method for providing [Item 2] The step of determining, by the first transmission server, to switch the first transmission server based on the first service quality measurement information and / or the first service quality monitoring information includes: determining, by the first transport server, to switch the first transport server when the first transport server determines, based on the first service quality measurement information, that the service quality of the service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the service quality requirement of the application layer application, and / or when the service quality of the path between the first transport client and the first access network device satisfies the service quality requirement of the first path, wherein: The quality of service requirements of the first path are determined by the first transport server or a core network device; Item 1. The method according to item 1, comprising: [Item 3] acquiring, by a first transmission server, first service quality measurement information and first service quality monitoring information, wherein the first service quality measurement information includes information about the service quality of a service provided by the first transmission server connected to a first transmission client via a first user plane function network element and a first access network device; and the first service quality monitoring information includes information about the service quality of a path between the first transmission client and the first access network device, and information about the service quality of a path between the first access network device and the first user plane function network element; determining, by the first transport server, based on the first service quality measurement information and the first service quality monitoring information, that the degradation of the service quality of the data flow is caused by an abnormal load of the first transport server or an abnormality in a path between the first transport server and the first user plane function network element; and determining a second transmission server by the first transmission server, wherein the quality of service provided by the second transmission server to the first transmission client satisfies the quality of service requirements of an application; A communication method comprising: [Item 4] The step of determining a second transmission server by the first transmission server includes: determining, by the first transport server, the second transport server that satisfies the quality of service requirements of the application based on at least one of N6 transport status and load information of available target transport servers; Item 3. The method according to item 3, comprising: [Item 5] The method further comprises: receiving, by the first transport server, information about available target application layer servers from a first application layer server, wherein the information about the available target application layer servers is used to determine the available target transport server, and the available target transport server and the first transport server access the same data network; and sending a first message by the first transport server to the available target transport server, wherein the first message is used to obtain at least one of traffic information and the load information of the available target transport server; Equipped with; the available target transport servers include one or more transport servers; 5. The method according to any one of items 1 to 4. [Item 6] The step of transmitting a first message by the first transport server to the available target transport server comprises: transmitting the first message to the available target transport server by the first transport server when the quality of service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the quality of service requirement of the application layer application, and the quality of service of a first transport client-first access network device-first user plane function network element path satisfies the quality of service requirement of a second path. Item 6. The method according to item 5, comprising: [Item 7] The step of determining a second transmission server by the first transmission server includes: determining, by the first transport server, the quality of service requirements of the application layer application; obtaining, by the first transport server, at least one of the traffic information and the load information of the available target transport server; and determining, by the first transport server, the second transport server that satisfies the quality of service requirement of the application layer application based on at least one of the traffic information and the load information of the available target transport servers, wherein the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers; Item 6. The method according to item 5, comprising: [Item 8] The method further comprises: receiving, by the first transport server, information about available target application layer servers from a first application layer server, wherein the information about the available target application layer servers is used to determine information about available target transport servers; and obtaining, by the first transport server, information about the quality of service of the available target transport server; The method of item 1, comprising: [Item 9] The step of obtaining information about the quality of service of the available target transport servers by the first transport server comprises: obtaining, by the first transmission server, a first location of the first transmission client; and sending, by the first transport server, a second message to the available target transport server, wherein the second message includes at least one of the first location and the information about the available target application layer server; Item 9. The method according to item 8, comprising: [Item 10] The step of obtaining information about the quality of service of the available target transport servers by the first transport server comprises: obtaining, by the first transmission server, a first location of the first transmission client; and sending, by the first transport server, a third message to a core network device, wherein the third message includes one or more of the following information: the first location, the information about the available target transport server, or a data network access identifier associated with the available target transport server; Item 9. The method according to item 8, comprising: [Item 11] The second message or the third message is used to obtain information about the quality of service of using the available target transport server at the first location, wherein: the available target transport servers include one or more transport servers; Item 11. The method according to item 9 or 10. [Item 12] Item 11. The method of item 10, wherein the core network device is a network data analysis function network element. [Item 13] The step of determining a second transmission server by the first transmission server includes: determining, by the first transport server, the quality of service requirements of the application layer application; obtaining, by the first transport server, information about the quality of service of using the available target transport server at the first location; and determining, by the first transport server, the second transport server that satisfies the quality of service requirements based on the information about the quality of service of the available target transport servers, wherein the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers; 11. The method according to any one of items 8 to 10, comprising: [Item 14] The method further comprises: sending, by the first transport server, a fourth message to a core network device, wherein the fourth message is used to obtain the first service quality monitoring information; or sending a fourth message by the first transport server to a core network device when the quality of service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the quality of service requirement of the application layer application, wherein the fourth message is used to obtain the first quality of service monitoring information; The method of item 1, comprising: [Item 15] 1. A communication method comprising: receiving, by a second transport server, a first message from a first transport server, wherein the first message is used to obtain at least one of traffic information and load information of the second transport server; and transmitting, by the second transport server, at least one of the traffic information and the load information of the second transport server to the first transport server, wherein the at least one of the traffic information and the load information of the second transport server is used by the first transport server to determine a transport server that satisfies a quality of service requirement of an application layer application; A method for providing [Item 16] Item 16. The method according to item 15, wherein the second transport server is one of available target transport servers, and the available target transport server is determined by the first transport server based on information about available target application layer servers. [Item 17] The step of receiving, by the second transmission server, the first message from the first transmission server includes: receiving, by the second transport server, the first message from the first transport server when the quality of service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the quality of service requirement of the application layer application, and the quality of service of the path of the first transport client-first access network device-first user plane function network element satisfies the quality of service requirement of the second path; Item 16. The method according to item 15, comprising: [Item 18] receiving, by a second transport server, a second message from the first transport server, wherein the second message includes information about a first location and / or available target application layer servers, the first location including a location area in which a first transport client served by the first transport server is located, and the information about the available target application layer servers is used to determine information about available target transport servers, the available target transport servers including the second transport server; and transmitting, by the second transport server, information about the quality of service of using the second transport server at the first location to the first transport server, wherein the information about the quality of service is used by the first transport server to determine the second transport server that satisfies the quality of service requirements of an application layer application. A communication method comprising: [Item 19] Item 19. The method according to item 18, wherein the second message is used to obtain information about the quality of service of using the available target transport server at the first location. [Item 20] obtaining, by a transmission server, a first quality of service requirement; obtaining, by the transmission server, information about the quality of service of a transmission client at a second location using the service of the transmission server; and determining, by the transmission server, second quality of service requirements of the transmission client based on the first quality of service requirements and the information about the quality of service, wherein the second quality of service requirements include a set of one or more quality of service parameters; A communication method comprising: [Item 21] The step of obtaining, by the transmission server, information about the service quality of a transmission client at a second location using the service of the transmission server includes: sending, by the transmission server, a fifth message to a network data analysis function network element, wherein the fifth message is used to obtain the information about the service quality based on information about the transmission client and service information of the transmission server; and receiving, by the transport server, the information about the quality of service from the network data analysis function network element; Item 21. The method according to Item 20, comprising: [Item 22] The method further comprises: sending, by the transport server, a request message to a core network device, wherein the request message is used to request the core network device to provide a guarantee for the second quality of service requirement; 21. The method of claim 20, comprising: [Item 23] 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the core network device is a network publication function network element or a policy control function network element. [Item 24] 24. A communication device comprising a processing unit and a communication unit, wherein the processing unit and the communication unit are configured to perform the method according to any one of items 1 to 23. [Item 25] 24. A communication apparatus comprising a processor and a memory, the memory configured to store instructions; when the instructions are executed by the processor, the communication device is capable of performing the method of any one of items 1 to 23. [Item 26] 24. A computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium storing instructions; when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is capable of performing the method of any one of items 1 to 23. [Item 27] 24. A chip system comprising a processor, a memory, and an interface, the processor and the interface configured to execute the method of any one of items 1 to 23. [Item 28] 24. A communication system comprising a communication device, the communication device being configured to perform the method of any one of items 1 to 23. [Item 29] 24. A computer program product comprising instructions, which when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the method according to any one of items 1 to 23.

Claims

1. 1. A communication method comprising: determining, by a first transmission server, to switch the first transmission server according to the first service quality measurement information and the first service quality monitoring information; The first service quality measurement information includes information about the service quality of a service provided by the first transport server connected to a first transport client via a first user plane function network element and a first access network device; and The first service quality monitoring information includes information about the service quality of a path between the first transmission client and the first access network device, and information about the service quality of a path between the first access network device and the first user plane function network element; and determining, by the first transport server, a second transport server, wherein the quality of service provided by the second transport server connected to the first transport client via the first access network device and a second user plane function network element satisfies the quality of service requirement of an application layer application; A method for providing the above.

2. The step of determining, by the first transmission server, to switch the first transmission server based on the first service quality measurement information and / or the first service quality monitoring information includes: determining, by the first transport server, to switch the first transport server when the first transport server determines, based on the first service quality measurement information, that the service quality of the service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the service quality requirement of the application layer application, and / or when the service quality of the path between the first transport client and the first access network device satisfies the service quality requirement of the first path, wherein: the quality of service requirements of the first path are determined by the first transport server or a core network device; The method of claim 1 , comprising:

3. The method further comprises: receiving, by the first transport server, information about available target application layer servers from a first application layer server, wherein the information about the available target application layer servers is used to determine the available target transport server, and the available target transport server and the first transport server access the same data network; and sending a first message by the first transport server to the available target transport server, wherein the first message is used to obtain at least one of traffic information and load information of the available target transport server; Provided with: the available target transport servers include one or more transport servers; The method of claim 1.

4. The step of transmitting a first message by the first transport server to the available target transport server comprises: transmitting the first message to the available target transport server by the first transport server when the quality of service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the quality of service requirement of the application layer application, and the quality of service of a first transport client-first access network device-first user plane function network element path satisfies the quality of service requirement of a second path. The method of claim 3, comprising:

5. The step of determining a second transmission server by the first transmission server includes: determining, by the first transport server, the quality of service requirements of the application layer application; obtaining, by the first transport server, at least one of the traffic information and the load information of the available target transport server; and determining, by the first transport server, the second transport server that satisfies the quality of service requirements of the application layer application based on at least one of the traffic information and the load information of the available target transport servers, wherein the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers; The method of claim 3, comprising:

6. The method further comprises: receiving, by the first transport server, information about available target application layer servers from a first application layer server, wherein the information about the available target application layer servers is used to determine information about available target transport servers; and obtaining, by the first transport server, information about the quality of service of the available target transport server; The method of claim 1 , comprising:

7. The step of obtaining information about the quality of service of the available target transport server by the first transport server comprises: obtaining, by the first transmission server, a first location of the first transmission client; and sending, by the first transport server, a second message to the available target transport server, wherein the second message includes at least one of the first location and the information about the available target application layer server; The method of claim 6, comprising:

8. The step of obtaining information about the quality of service of the available target transport server by the first transport server comprises: obtaining, by the first transmission server, a first location of the first transmission client; and sending, by the first transport server, a third message to a core network device, wherein the third message includes one or more of the following information: the first location, the information about the available target transport server, or a data network access identifier associated with the available target transport server; The method of claim 6, comprising:

9. The second message or the third message is used to obtain information about the quality of service of using the available target transport server at the first location, wherein: the available target transport servers include one or more transport servers; The method of claim 7.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the core network device is a network data analysis function network element.

11. The step of determining a second transmission server by the first transmission server includes: determining, by the first transport server, the quality of service requirements of the application layer application; obtaining, by the first transport server, information about the quality of service of using the available target transport server at the first location of the first transport client; and determining, by the first transport server, the second transport server that satisfies the quality of service requirements based on the information about the quality of service of the available target transport servers, wherein the second transport server is one of the available target transport servers; The method of claim 6, comprising:

12. The method further comprises: sending, by the first transport server, a fourth message to a core network device, wherein the fourth message is used to obtain the first service quality monitoring information; or sending a fourth message by the first transport server to a core network device when the quality of service provided by the first transport server connected to the first transport client via the first user plane function network element and the first access network device does not satisfy the quality of service requirement of the application layer application, wherein the fourth message is used to obtain the first quality of service monitoring information; The method of claim 1 , comprising:

13. 1. A communication method comprising: receiving, by a second transport server, a first message from the first transport server, wherein the first message is used to obtain at least one of traffic information and load information of the second transport server; and transmitting, by the second transport server, at least one of the traffic information and the load information of the second transport server to the first transport server, wherein the at least one of the traffic information and the load information of the second transport server is used by the first transport server to determine a transport server that satisfies a quality of service requirement of an application layer application; A method for providing the above.

14. A communication device comprising a processing unit and a communication unit, said processing unit and said communication unit being configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A computer program for causing a computer to execute a method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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