Communication method, communication apparatus, and communication system

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method, a communication apparatus, and a communication system. In the method, a first network element can, in one operation, acquire information of a plurality of network function network elements matching a first parameter, so that, subsequently, if a certain network function network element among the plurality of network function network elements fails, the first network element can use another network function network element, thereby implementing mutual disaster recovery among the plurality of network function network elements and helping to improve the communication quality.

Description

Communication method, communication device and communication system

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on November 14, 2023, with application number 202311520704.7 and application name “Communication Method, Communication Device and Communication System”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, a communication device, and a communication system. Background Art

[0004] To achieve rapid discovery of network function (NF) elements, network storage elements can be deployed in different areas, and NF elements in a certain area can be registered with the network storage elements in that area.

[0005] Subsequently, if a network element (hereinafter referred to as the first network element) located in a certain area (hereinafter referred to as the first area) needs to obtain a network function network element of a certain type (hereinafter referred to as the first type) that meets a certain condition (hereinafter referred to as the first condition), the first network element can request the network storage network element in the first area to obtain the network function network element of the first type that meets the first condition.

[0006] In the current network function network element discovery process, the first network element can obtain information of at most one network function network element from the network storage network element each time. If the network function network element fails, there will be no available network function network element.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present application provides a communication method, a communication device and a communication system for obtaining information of multiple network function network elements that meet the conditions at one time, thereby ensuring mutual disaster recovery among multiple network function network elements.

[0009] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first network storage network element or a chip of the first network storage network element. The method includes: receiving a first request message from a first device, the first request message including a first parameter, the first request message being used to request discovery of a network function network element that matches the first parameter; sending a second request message to multiple network storage network elements corresponding to the first parameter, the second request message including the first parameter, the second request message being used to request a network function network element that matches the first parameter; receiving information about network function network elements that match the first parameter from the multiple network storage network elements; and sending the information about the network function network element to the first device.

[0010] The first device may be a second network storage network element, or a first network element, where the first network element is a network function network element.

[0011] In the above solution, the first network storage network element obtains information about network function network elements that match the first parameter from multiple network storage network elements, and sends the information about the network function network elements to the first device. The first device is the second network storage network element or the network element discovery requester (such as the first network element), so that the first device obtains information about multiple network function network elements that match the first parameter. If the first device is the second network storage network element, the second network storage network element can send the information about the multiple network function network elements to the first network element. Then, when one of the multiple network function network elements fails, the first network element can enable other network function network elements, thereby achieving mutual disaster recovery among the multiple network function network elements.

[0012] In one possible implementation method, sending a second request message to multiple network storage network elements corresponding to the first parameter includes: sending the second request message to the multiple network storage network elements according to local configuration, and the local configuration is used to indicate obtaining network function network elements that match the first parameter.

[0013] The above solution can trigger requests to multiple network storage network elements to obtain network function network elements that match the first parameter based on local configuration, without the need to obtain network function network elements that match the first parameter through signaling instructions, which can save signaling overhead.

[0014] In one possible implementation method, the first request message also includes indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate the acquisition of network function network elements that match the first parameter; sending the second request message to multiple network storage network elements corresponding to the first parameter includes: sending the second request message to the multiple network storage network elements according to the indication information.

[0015] The above solution can trigger requests to multiple network storage network elements to obtain network function network elements that match the first parameter based on the indication information, and can accurately trigger the acquisition of network function network elements that match the first parameter.

[0016] In one possible implementation method, the first parameter includes at least one of the following: a data network name (DNN), type information of a network function, identification information of a terminal device, or identification information of a slice.

[0017] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a second network storage network element or a chip of the second network storage network element. The method includes: receiving a third request message from a first network element, the third request message including a first parameter, the third request message being used to request discovery of a network function network element that matches the first parameter; obtaining information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter, where M is an integer greater than 1; and sending information of the M network function network elements to the first network element.

[0018] With the above solution, the first network element can obtain information of multiple network function network elements that match the first parameter at one time. If one of the network function network elements fails subsequently, the first network element can use other network function network elements, thereby achieving mutual disaster recovery among multiple network function network elements and helping to improve communication quality.

[0019] In one possible implementation method, obtaining information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter includes: sending a first request message to a first network storage network element, the first request message including the first parameter, and the first request message being used to request discovery of a network function network element that matches the first parameter; and receiving information of the M network function network elements from the first network storage network element.

[0020] In one possible implementation method, obtaining information on M network function network elements that match the first parameter includes: sending a first request message to a first network storage network element, the first request message including the first parameter, and the first request message being used to request discovery of a network function network element that matches the first parameter; receiving information on N network function network elements that match the first parameter from the first network storage network element, where N is a positive integer less than M; wherein the information on the M network function network elements includes information on the N network function network elements and information on other MN network function network elements on the second network storage network element that match the first parameter.

[0021] In a possible implementation method, sending the first request message to the first network storage network element includes: sending the first request message to the first network storage network element according to local configuration, and the local configuration is used to indicate obtaining a network function network element that matches the first parameter.

[0022] The above solution can trigger a request to the first network storage network element to obtain the network function network element that matches the first parameter based on local configuration, without the need to obtain the network function network element that matches the first parameter through signaling instructions, which can save signaling overhead.

[0023] In one possible implementation method, the third request message also includes indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate the acquisition of a network function network element that matches the first parameter; sending the first request message to the first network storage network element includes: sending the first request message to the first network storage network element according to the indication information.

[0024] The above solution can trigger a request to the first network storage network element to obtain the network function network element that matches the first parameter based on the indication information, and can accurately trigger the acquisition of the network function network element that matches the first parameter.

[0025] In a possible implementation method, obtaining information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter includes: obtaining information of the M network function network elements that match the first parameter from itself.

[0026] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving a registration request message from each of the M network function network elements respectively, and the registration request message respectively includes the configuration parameters of each of the network function network elements.

[0027] In one possible implementation method, the configuration parameters include at least one of the following: type information of the network function network element, identification information of the network function network element, DNN, identification information of the terminal device or identification information of the slice.

[0028] In a possible implementation method, the M network function network elements serve as backup network function network elements for each other.

[0029] In one possible implementation method, the first parameter includes at least one of the following: DNN, type information of network function, identification information of terminal device or identification information of slice.

[0030] In a third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method that can be performed by a network function network element or a chip of a network function network element. The method comprises: sending a registration request message to multiple network storage network elements, the registration request message including configuration parameters of the network function network elements, the multiple network storage network elements being located in different areas; and receiving registration response messages from the multiple network storage network elements.

[0031] In the above scheme, the same network function network element can be registered to multiple network storage network elements, which can realize disaster recovery of the network function network element, and the network element discovery requester (such as the first network element) can obtain the information of the network function network element from any network storage network element among the multiple network storage network elements, thereby improving the success rate and speed of obtaining the information of the network function network element.

[0032] In one possible implementation method, the configuration parameters include at least one of the following: type information of the network function network element, identification information of the network function network element, DNN, identification information of the terminal device or identification information of the slice.

[0033] In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communications device, which may be a first network storage network element or a chip of the first network storage network element. The device has the function of implementing any of the implementation methods of the first aspect described above. The function may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0034] In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communications device, which may be a second network storage network element or a chip of the second network storage network element. The device has the function of implementing any of the implementation methods of the second aspect described above. The function may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0035] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communications device, which may be a network function element or a chip of a network function element. The device has the function of implementing any of the implementation methods of the third aspect described above. The function may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0036] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a unit or means for executing each step of any implementation method in the above-mentioned first to third aspects.

[0037] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit and execute any of the implementation methods described in the first to third aspects above. The processor comprises one or more.

[0038] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor, the processor being configured to call a program to execute any of the implementation methods in the first to third aspects above. The processor may be one or more.

[0039] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory, which is coupled to the processor and may be located inside or outside the device.

[0040] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor; when the device is running, the processor executes computer instructions to enable the device to execute any implementation method in the above-mentioned first to third aspects.

[0041] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory for storing the computer instructions.

[0042] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are run by a communication device, any implementation method in the above-mentioned first to third aspects is executed.

[0043] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein instructions are stored in the computer-readable storage medium, which, when run on a communication device, enables any implementation method in the above-mentioned first to third aspects to be executed.

[0044] In the thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, comprising: a processor for executing any implementation method in the above-mentioned first to third aspects.

[0045] In the fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including: a first network storage network element, used to receive a first request message from a first device, the first request message including a first parameter, the first request message being used to request discovery of a network function network element that matches the first parameter; sending a second request message to multiple network storage network elements corresponding to the first parameter, the second request message including the first parameter, the second request message being used to request a network function network element that matches the first parameter; receiving information of network function network elements that match the first parameter from the multiple network storage network elements; sending information of the network function network element to the first device; the first device being used to send the first request message to the first network storage network element, and receive information of the network function network element from the first network storage network element.

[0046] Among them, the first network storage network element here can be the communication device of the fourth aspect mentioned above, and the first device here can be the communication device of the fifth aspect mentioned above, or the first network element.

[0047] In one possible implementation method, when the first device is a second network storage network element, the communication system also includes a first network element, wherein the first network element is used to send a third request message to the second network storage network element, the third request message including the first parameter, and the third request message is used to request the discovery of a network function that matches the first parameter; and receive information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter from the second network storage network element, where M is an integer greater than 1.

[0048] In one possible implementation method, the first device is a second network storage network element; when the multiple network storage network elements include the second network storage network element, the network storage network elements other than the second network storage network element in the multiple network storage network elements are respectively located in different areas and are located in different areas from the second network storage network element; or, when the multiple network storage network elements do not include the second network storage network element, the multiple network storage network elements are respectively located in different areas.

[0049] In a possible implementation method, the first device is a first network element, and the first network element is a network function network element; the multiple network storage network elements are respectively located in different areas.

[0050] In the fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including: a first network element, used to send a third request message to a second network storage network element, the third request message including a first parameter, and the third request message being used to request discovery of a network function that matches the first parameter; receiving information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter from the second network storage network element, where M is an integer greater than 1; the second network storage network element, used to receive the third request message from the first network element; obtain information of the M network function network elements that match the first parameter; and send information of the M network function network elements to the first network element.

[0051] Among them, the second network storage network element here can be the communication device of the fifth aspect mentioned above.

[0052] In one possible implementation method, the communication system also includes a first network storage network element, which is used to receive a first request message from the second network storage network element, the first request message including the first parameter, and the first request message is used to request the discovery of a network function network element that matches the first parameter; send a second request message to multiple network storage network elements corresponding to the first parameter, the second request message including the first parameter, and the second request message is used to request the network function network element that matches the first parameter; receive information of the network function network element that matches the first parameter from the multiple network storage network elements; and send information of the network function network element that matches the first parameter to the second network storage network element.

[0053] Among them, the first network storage network element here can be the communication device of the fourth aspect mentioned above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] FIG1( a ) is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG1( b ) is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Figure 2(a) is a schematic diagram of the 5G network architecture based on service-oriented architecture;

[0057] Figure 2(b) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a point-to-point interface;

[0058] FIG3( a ) is a schematic diagram of an NRF deployment architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG3( b ) is another schematic diagram of the NRF deployment architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG3( c ) is another schematic diagram of the NRF deployment architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG5 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG6 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG7 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] The present application provides a communication system, referring to FIG1( a ), which includes a first network storage network element and a first device. The first device is a second network storage network element or a first network element.

[0068] The system shown in Figure 1(a) can be used in the 5G network architecture shown in Figure 2(a) or Figure 2(b). Of course, it can also be used in future network architectures, such as the sixth generation (6G) network architecture, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0069] The first network storage network element and the second network storage network element in Figure 1(a) can be network storage function (NRF) network elements in the architecture shown in Figure 2(a) or Figure 2(b), or they can be network elements with the functions of NRF network elements in future communications such as 6G communications. This application does not limit this.

[0070] In one embodiment, the first network storage network element is used to receive a first request message from a first device, the first request message includes a first parameter, and the first request message is used to request to discover a network function network element that matches the first parameter; send a second request message to multiple network storage network elements corresponding to the first parameter, the second request message includes the first parameter, and the second request message is used to request the network function network element that matches the first parameter; receive information about the network function network element that matches the first parameter from the multiple network storage network elements; send the information about the network function network element to the first device; the first device is used to send the first request message to the first network storage network element, and receive the information about the network function network element from the first network storage network element.

[0071] In one possible implementation method, the first network storage network element is used to send a second request message to multiple network storage network elements corresponding to the first parameter, specifically including: sending the second request message to the multiple network storage network elements according to local configuration, and the local configuration is used to indicate obtaining network function network elements that match the first parameter.

[0072] In one possible implementation method, the first request message also includes indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate the acquisition of a network function network element that matches the first parameter; the first network storage network element is used to send a second request message to multiple network storage network elements corresponding to the first parameter, specifically including: sending the second request message to the multiple network storage network elements according to the indication information.

[0073] In one possible implementation method, the first device is a second network storage network element; when the multiple network storage network elements include the second network storage network element, the network storage network elements other than the second network storage network element in the multiple network storage network elements are respectively located in different areas and are located in different areas from the second network storage network element; or, when the multiple network storage network elements do not include the second network storage network element, the multiple network storage network elements are respectively located in different areas.

[0074] In a possible implementation method, the first device is a first network element, and the first network element is a network function network element; the multiple network storage network elements are respectively located in different areas.

[0075] The interaction between the various network elements in the system and the specific execution can be referred to the following method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0076] The present application provides a communication system. Referring to FIG. 1( b ), the system includes a first network element and a second network storage network element.

[0077] The system shown in Figure 1(b) can be used in the 5G network architecture shown in Figure 2(a) or Figure 2(b). Of course, it can also be used in future network architectures, such as 6G network architecture, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0078] The first network element in Figure 1(b) can be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a user plane function (UPF) network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, etc. in the architecture shown in Figure 2(a) or Figure 2(b), or it can be a network element with the functions of an AMF network element, a UPF network element, an SMF network element, and a PCF network element in future communications such as 6G communications. This application does not limit this.

[0079] The second network storage network element in Figure 1(b) can be an NRF network element in the architecture shown in Figure 2(a) or Figure 2(b), or it can be a network element with the function of an NRF network element in future communications such as 6G communications. This application does not limit this.

[0080] In one embodiment, the first network element is used to send a third request message to the second network storage network element, the third request message including a first parameter, and the third request message is used to request discovery of a network function that matches the first parameter; receive information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter from the second network storage network element, where M is an integer greater than 1; the second network storage network element is used to receive the third request message from the first network element; obtain information of the M network function network elements that match the first parameter; and send information of the M network function network elements to the first network element.

[0081] In one possible implementation method, the second network storage network element is used to obtain information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter, specifically including: sending a first request message to the first network storage network element, the first request message including the first parameter, and the first request message being used to request discovery of a network function network element that matches the first parameter; and receiving information of the M network function network elements from the first network storage network element.

[0082] In one possible implementation method, the second network storage network element is used to obtain information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter, specifically including: sending a first request message to the first network storage network element, the first request message including the first parameter, the first request message being used to request discovery of a network function network element that matches the first parameter; receiving information of N network function network elements that match the first parameter from the first network storage network element, where N is a positive integer less than M; wherein the information of the M network function network elements includes information of the N network function network elements and information of other MN network function network elements on the second network storage network element that match the first parameter.

[0083] In one possible implementation method, the second network storage network element is used to send a first request message to the first network storage network element, specifically including: sending the first request message to the first network storage network element according to local configuration, and the local configuration is used to indicate obtaining a network function network element that matches the first parameter.

[0084] In one possible implementation method, the third request message also includes indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate the acquisition of a network function network element that matches the first parameter; the second network storage network element is used to send the first request message to the first network storage network element, specifically including: sending the first request message to the first network storage network element according to the indication information.

[0085] In one possible implementation method, the second network storage network element is used to obtain information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter, specifically including: obtaining information of the M network function network elements that match the first parameter from itself.

[0086] In one possible implementation method, the second network storage network element is also used to receive registration request messages from each of the M network function network elements respectively, and the registration request messages respectively include configuration parameters of each of the network function network elements.

[0087] The interaction between the various network elements in the system and the specific execution can be referred to the following method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0088] To meet the challenges of wireless broadband technology and maintain the leading edge of 3GPP networks, the 3GPP standards group has developed the Next Generation System architecture for mobile communications networks, known as the 5G network architecture. This architecture not only supports access to the 5G core network (CN) using radio access technologies defined by the 3GPP standards group (such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 5G Radio Access Network (RAN)), but also supports access to the core network using non-3GPP access technologies via the non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) or the next generation packet data gateway (ngPDG).

[0089] Figure 2(a) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-oriented architecture. The 5G network architecture shown in Figure 2(a) may include access network equipment and core network equipment. The terminal device accesses the data network (DN) through the access network equipment and the core network equipment. Among them, the core network equipment includes but is not limited to some or all of the following network elements: authentication server function (AUSF) network element (not shown in the figure), unified data management (UDM) network element, unified data repository (UDR) network element, NRF network element (not shown in the figure), network exposure function (NEF) network element (not shown in the figure), application function (AF) network element, PCF network element, AMF network element, SMF network element, UPF network element.

[0090] The terminal device can be user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal device, etc. The terminal device can be widely used in various scenarios, for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a wearable device, a vehicle, an urban air vehicle (such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, a helicopter, etc.), a ship, a robot, a robotic arm, a smart home device, etc. For the sake of convenience, this application uses UE as an example of a terminal device for illustration, and any UE appearing in any subsequent position can be replaced by a terminal device.

[0091] Access network equipment can be radio access network equipment (RAN equipment) or wired access network equipment. Radio access network equipment includes 3GPP access network equipment, untrusted non-3GPP access network equipment, and trusted non-3GPP access network equipment. 3GPP access network equipment includes, but is not limited to, evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs) in LTE, next-generation NodeBs (gNBs) in 5G mobile communication systems, base stations in future mobile communication systems, or modules or units that perform some of the functions of base stations, such as centralized units (CUs) and distributed units (DUs). Untrusted non-3GPP access network equipment includes, but is not limited to, untrusted non-3GPP access gateways or N3IWFs, untrusted wireless local area network (WLAN) access points (APs), switches, and routers. Trusted non-3GPP access network equipment includes, but is not limited to, trusted non-3GPP access gateways, trusted WLAN APs, switches, and routers. Wired access network equipment includes, but is not limited to, wireline access gateways, fixed-line network equipment, switches, and routers. For ease of explanation, this application uses a base station as an example of an access network device, and any base station appearing at any subsequent location can be replaced by an access network device.

[0092] Base stations and UEs can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; or in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of base stations and UEs.

[0093] The AMF network element performs functions such as mobility management and access authentication / authorization. It is also responsible for transferring user policies between the UE and the PCF.

[0094] The SMF network element includes functions such as performing session management, executing control policies issued by the PCF network element, selecting the UPF network element, or allocating the UE's Internet Protocol (IP) address.

[0095] The UPF network element includes functions such as user plane data forwarding, session / flow-level billing statistics, or bandwidth limitation.

[0096] UDM network elements include functions such as executing and managing contract data or user access authorization.

[0097] UDR includes functions for accessing data such as contract data, policy data, or application data.

[0098] NEF network element is used to support the opening of capabilities and events.

[0099] The AF network element communicates application-side requirements to the network, such as QoS requirements or user status event subscriptions. The AF can be a third-party functional entity or an application service deployed by a carrier, such as the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) voice call service. AF network elements include those within the core network (i.e., the carrier's AF network element) and third-party AF network elements (such as an enterprise's application server).

[0100] The PCF network element includes policy control functions such as billing for sessions and service flow levels, QoS bandwidth guarantee and mobility management, or UE policy decision-making. PCF network elements include access and mobility management policy control function (AM PCF) network element and session management policy control function (SM PCF) network element. Among them, the AM PCF network element is used to formulate AM policy and user policy for UE. The AM PCF network element can also be called a policy control network element that provides services for UE (PCF for a UE). The SM PCF network element is used to formulate session management policy (SMpolicy) for the session. The SM PCF network element can also be called a policy control network element that provides services for protocol data unit (PDU) sessions ((PCF for a PDU session))).

[0101] NRF network elements can be used to provide network element discovery functions, providing network element information corresponding to the network element type based on requests from other network elements. NRF network elements also provide network element management services, such as network element registration, update, deregistration, or network element status subscription and push.

[0102] The AUSF network element is responsible for authenticating users to determine whether users or devices are allowed to access the network.

[0103] A DN is a network located outside of a carrier network. A carrier network can connect to multiple DNs, and a variety of services can be deployed on the DN, providing UEs with data and / or voice services. For example, a DN is the private network of a smart factory. Sensors installed in the workshop can be UEs. The DN houses a control server for these sensors, which can provide services to the sensors. The sensors can communicate with the control server, receive instructions from the control server, and transmit collected sensor data to the control server based on the instructions. Another example is a DN that is a company's internal office network. An employee's mobile phone or computer can be a UE, allowing them to access information and data resources on the company's internal office network.

[0104] In Figure 2(a), Npcf, Nudr, Nudm, Naf, Namf, and Nsmf are the service-oriented interfaces provided by the PCF, UDR, UDM, AF, AMF, and SMF, respectively, for invoking corresponding service-oriented operations. N1, N2, N3, N4, and N6 are interface serial numbers, and their meanings are as follows:

[0105] 1) N1: The interface between the AMF network element and the UE, which can be used to deliver non-access stratum (NAS) signaling (such as QoS rules from the AMF network element) to the UE.

[0106] 2) N2: The interface between the AMF network element and the base station, which can be used to transmit radio bearer control information from the core network side to the base station.

[0107] 3) N3: The interface between the base station and the UPF network element, mainly used to transmit uplink and downlink user plane data between the base station and the UPF network element.

[0108] 4) N4: The interface between the SMF network element and the UPF network element, which can be used to transmit information between the control plane and the user plane, including controlling the issuance of forwarding rules, QoS rules, traffic statistics rules, etc. for the user plane and reporting information on the user plane.

[0109] 5) N6: The interface between UPF network element and DN, used to transmit uplink and downlink user data flows between UPF network element and DN.

[0110] Figure 2(b) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on point-to-point interfaces. The functions of the network elements in Figure 2(a) can be referred to for the functions of the corresponding network elements, and will not be repeated here. The main difference between Figure 2(b) and Figure 2(a) is that the interfaces between the control plane network elements in Figure 2(a) are service-oriented interfaces, while the interfaces between the control plane network elements in Figure 2(b) are point-to-point interfaces.

[0111] In the architecture shown in Figure 2(b), the interface names and functions between the various network elements are as follows:

[0112] 1) For the meanings of the N1, N2, N3, N4 and N6 interfaces, please refer to the above description.

[0113] 2) N5: The interface between the AF network element and the PCF network element, which can be used to issue application service requests and report network events.

[0114] 3) N7: The interface between PCF network element and SMF network element, which can be used to issue PDU session granularity and service data flow granularity control strategy.

[0115] 4) N8: The interface between the AMF network element and the UDM network element, which can be used by the AMF network element to obtain access and mobility management related contract data and authentication data from the UDM network element, and for the AMF to register UE mobility management related information with the UDM.

[0116] 5) N9: User plane interface between UPF network elements, used to transmit uplink and downlink user data flows between UPF network elements.

[0117] 6) N10: The interface between the SMF network element and the UDM network element, which can be used by the SMF network element to obtain session management related contract data from the UDM network element, and the SMF network element to register UE session related information with the UDM.

[0118] 7) N11: The interface between the SMF network element and the AMF network element, which can be used to transmit PDU session tunnel information between the base station and the UPF network element, transmit control messages sent to the UE, transmit radio resource control information sent to the base station, etc.

[0119] 8) N15: The interface between the PCF network element and the AMF network element, which can be used to deliver UE policies and access control related policies.

[0120] 9) N35: The interface between the UDM network element and the UDR network element, which can be used by the UDM network element to obtain user contract data information from the UDR network element.

[0121] 10) N36: Interface between PCF network element and UDR network element, which can be used by PCF network element to obtain policy-related contract data and application data-related information from UDR network element.

[0122] It is understood that the above-mentioned network element or function can be a network element in a hardware device, a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualized function instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). Optionally, the above-mentioned network element or function can be implemented by a single device, or by multiple devices, or can be a functional module within a single device, and this is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0123] The network storage network element in this application can be the NRF network element in the architecture of Figure 2(a) or Figure 2(b), or it can be a network element with the functions of the above-mentioned NRF network element in future communications such as 6G networks. This application is not limited to this. In the embodiments of this application, the NRF network element is described as an example of a network storage network element, and the NRF network element is referred to as NRF for short.

[0124] In order to achieve rapid discovery of network function network elements, network storage network elements can be deployed in different areas respectively, and the NF network elements of a certain area can be registered with the network storage network elements in the same area. Subsequently, if a network element (hereinafter referred to as the first network element) located in a certain area (hereinafter referred to as the first area) needs to obtain a certain type (hereinafter referred to as the first type) of network function network elements that meet a certain condition (hereinafter referred to as the first condition), the first network element can request the network storage network element in the first area to obtain the first type of network function network elements that meet the first condition. In the current network function network element discovery process, the first network element can obtain at most one network function network element from the network storage network element at a time. If the network function network element fails, there will be no available network function network elements.

[0125] In order to obtain multiple network function network elements that meet the conditions at one time, the embodiment of the present application provides a corresponding solution, which is described in detail below.

[0126] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, three different NRF deployment architectures applicable to the embodiments of the method of the present application are first introduced below. It should be noted that these three architectures are only used as examples and may also be applicable to other architectures in actual applications.

[0127] Architecture 1: The NRF deployment architecture includes at least two secondary NRFs and one primary NRF.

[0128] Figure 3(a) is a schematic diagram of the NRF deployment architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application. The architecture includes a primary NRF (the primary NRF is also referred to as the first NRF in the method embodiment of the present application) and at least two secondary NRFs. In the example of Figure 3(a), three secondary NRFs (i.e., secondary NRF#1, secondary NRF#2, and secondary NRF#3) and one primary NRF (i.e., the first NRF) are used as an example. Among them, the secondary NRF#1 is also referred to as the second NRF in the method embodiment of the present application.

[0129] Exemplarily, different secondary NRFs can be deployed in different areas. For example, the secondary NRF#1 in Figure 3(a) is deployed in area A, the secondary NRF#2 is deployed in area B, and the secondary NRF#3 is deployed in area C. Among them, different areas can be divided according to provinces, and each area includes one or more provinces. For example, area A includes Province A and Province B, area B includes Province C, and area C includes Province D, Province E, and Province F. Alternatively, different areas can also be divided according to urban areas, and each area includes one or more urban areas. For example, area A includes City A, area B includes City B and City C, and area C includes City D. Alternatively, different areas can also be divided according to TA, and each area includes one or more TAs. For example, area A includes TA#1 and TA#2, area B includes TA#3, TA#4, and TA#5, and area C includes TA#6. This application does not limit the method of dividing areas, and the examples here are only for illustration.

[0130] Among them, the first-level NRF can be connected to each second-level NRF, and the communication between different second-level NRFs can be relayed through the first-level NRF. The first-level NRF can be understood as the manager of multiple second-level NRFs. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the deployment location of the first-level NRF. For example, the first-level NRF can be deployed in the same area as a second-level NRF, or in a different area from that of each second-level NRF.

[0131] Architecture 2: The NRF deployment architecture includes at least two secondary NRFs and at least two primary NRFs.

[0132] Figure 3(b) is another schematic diagram of the NRF deployment architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application. The NRFs in this architecture include at least two first-level NRFs and at least two second-level NRFs. In the example of Figure 3(b), there are a total of 6 NRFs, namely NRF#1, NRF#2, NRF#3, NRF#4, NRF#5 and NRF#6. Among them, NRF#1 and NRF#2 are both first-level NRFs, and NRF#3, NRF#4, NRF#5 and NRF#6 are all second-level NRFs. Here, only two first-level NRFs are used as an example, and other first-level NRFs can also be included in practice. Different first-level NRFs can communicate with each other. Each first-level NRF manages one or more second-level NRFs, and different first-level NRFs manage different second-level NRFs. For example, the first-level NRF#1 in Figure 3(b) manages the second-level NRF#3 and second-level NRF#4, and the first-level NRF#2 manages the second-level NRF#5 and second-level NRF#6. The secondary NRFs managed by different primary NRFs cannot communicate directly with each other and need to be transferred through the primary NRF. For example, the secondary NRF#3 and the secondary NRF#5 cannot communicate directly. Different secondary NRFs managed by the same primary NRF can communicate directly or through the primary NRF, without limitation. In the method embodiment of the present application, the secondary NRF#3 is also referred to as the second NRF, and the primary NRF#1 is referred to as the first NRF.

[0133] Exemplarily, different secondary NRFs are deployed in different areas. For example, secondary NRF#3 in Figure 3(b) is deployed in area A, secondary NRF#4 is deployed in area B, secondary NRF#5 is deployed in area C, and secondary NRF#6 is deployed in area D. Among them, different areas can be divided according to provinces, and each area includes one or more provinces. For example, area A includes Province A and Province B, area B includes Province C, area C includes Province D, Province E and Province F, and area D includes Province G. Alternatively, different areas can also be divided according to urban areas, and each area includes one or more urban areas. For example, area A includes City A, area B includes City B and City C, area C includes City D, and area D includes City E. Alternatively, different areas can also be divided according to TA, and each area includes one or more TAs. For example, area A includes TA#1 and TA#2, area B includes TA#3, TA#4 and TA#5, area C includes TA#6, and area D includes TA#7. This application does not limit the method of dividing areas, and the examples here are only for illustration.

[0134] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the deployment location of the primary NRF. For example, the primary NRF can be deployed in the same area as a secondary NRF, or in a different area from that of each secondary NRF.

[0135] Architecture 3: The NRF deployment architecture includes at least two NRFs and has no level division.

[0136] Figure 3(c) is another schematic diagram of the NRF deployment architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application. The levels or hierarchies of the NRFs in this architecture are the same, and there is no division in the form of primary NRF and secondary NRF. In the example of Figure 3(c), there are a total of 4 NRFs, namely NRF#1, NRF#2, NRF#3 and NRF#4. Different NRFs can communicate with each other. In the method embodiment of the present application, NRF#1 is also referred to as the first NRF.

[0137] For example, different NRFs in the example of Figure 3(c) can be deployed in different areas, for example, NRF#1 is deployed in area A, NRF#2 is deployed in area B, NRF#3 is deployed in area C, and NRF#4 is deployed in area D. Among them, different areas can be divided according to provinces, each area includes one or more provinces, for example, area A includes Province A and Province B, area B includes Province C, area C includes Province D, Province E and Province F, and area D includes Province G. Alternatively, different areas can also be divided according to urban areas, each area includes one or more urban areas, for example, area A includes City A, area B includes City B and City C, area C includes City D, and area D includes City E and City F. Alternatively, different areas can also be divided according to TA, each area includes one or more TAs, for example, area A includes TA#1 and TA#2, area B includes TA#3, TA#4 and TA#5, area C includes TA#6, and area D includes TA#7. This application does not limit the method of dividing areas, and the examples here are only for example.

[0138] The following describes the discovery methods of network function network elements under the above three different architectures in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the subsequent method embodiments of this application are only illustrated using the architectures shown in Figures 3(a) to 3(c) as examples. In practical applications, any example that meets the characteristics of the above three architectures is applicable to the present invention. Among them, the characteristics of the three architectures refer to: the characteristics of architecture 1 are that it includes at least two secondary NRFs and one primary NRF, the characteristics of architecture 2 are that it includes at least two secondary NRFs and at least two primary NRFs, and the characteristics of architecture 3 are that it includes at least two NRFs and has no level division.

[0139] With respect to the above-mentioned Architecture 1 and Architecture 2, this application introduces corresponding method embodiments in conjunction with FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 .

[0140] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by a first network element (or a chip of the first network element) and a second NRF (or a chip of the second NRF). Optionally, the method is also performed by the first NRF (or a chip of the first NRF). The following description takes the first network element, the second NRF, and the first NRF as an example to illustrate the method.

[0141] In conjunction with the example shown in Figure 3(a), the first NRF and the second NRF are respectively the primary NRF and the secondary NRF#1 in Figure 3(a). In conjunction with the example shown in Figure 3(b), the first NRF and the second NRF are respectively the primary NRF#1 and the secondary NRF#3 in Figure 3(b).

[0142] The method comprises the following steps:

[0143] Step 401: The first network element sends a third request message to the second NRF. Correspondingly, the second NRF receives the third request message.

[0144] The third request message includes the first parameter, and the third request message is used to request discovery of a network function network element that matches the first parameter.

[0145] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific information included in the first parameter. Exemplarily, the first parameter includes at least one of the following: DNN, network function type information (NF type), UE identification information, or slice identification information. The slice identification information may be, for example, single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI).

[0146] The first network element and the second NRF may be located in the same area, for example, in the same province, the same urban area, or the same tracking area (TA), etc. That is, the first network element sends a third request message to the second NRF in the same area as the first network element to request discovery of a network function network element that matches the first parameter.

[0147] Exemplarily, if the first network element is an AMF network element, the third request message may be used to request discovery of at least one of an SMF network element, a UDM network element or an AUSF network element that matches the first parameter.

[0148] Exemplarily, if the first network element is an SMF network element, the third request message may be used to request discovery of at least one of a PCF network element, a UPF network element, a UDM network element or an AUSF network element that matches the first parameter.

[0149] Exemplarily, if the first network element is an access network device (such as a gNB or eNB, etc.), the third request message can be used to request the discovery of an AMF network element that matches the first parameter.

[0150] In the embodiment of FIG. 4 , the third request message may also be referred to as a service discovery request or a service discovery request message, which will be described uniformly here and will not be elaborated on later.

[0151] Step 402: The second NRF obtains information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter, where M is an integer greater than 1.

[0152] Exemplarily, the M network function network elements serve as backup network function network elements for each other.

[0153] Among them, the information of the network function network element includes but is not limited to at least one of the following: identification information of the network function network element (such as address information or identification), DNN, type information of the network function network element (NF type), identification information of the slice (such as single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI)) or identification information of the UE.

[0154] Here, matching the first parameter may also be referred to as corresponding to the first parameter, or satisfying the first parameter, etc.

[0155] Step 403: The second NRF sends information of the M network function network elements to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the information of the M network function network elements.

[0156] Exemplarily, the second NRF may send a response message to the first network element, where the response message includes identification information of the M network functions. The response message may also be referred to as a service discovery response or a service discovery response message.

[0157] With the above solution, the first network element can obtain information of multiple network function network elements that match the first parameter at one time. If one of the network function network elements fails subsequently, the first network element can use other network function network elements, thereby achieving mutual disaster recovery among multiple network function network elements and helping to improve communication quality.

[0158] A network function element (such as SMF, UPF, AMF, UDM, or AUSF) can register with one or more NRFs. The following describes two different registration methods, using the example shown in Figure 3(a). These two registration methods are also applicable to the examples shown in Figures 3(b) and 3(c).

[0159] Registration method 1: The network function NE only registers with the NRF in the same area.

[0160] For example, the network function network element in area A sends a registration request message to the secondary NRF#1 in area A. The registration request message includes the configuration parameters of the network function network element, which include but are not limited to at least one of the following: type information of the network function network element (NF type), identification information of the network function network element, DNN, UE identification information or slice identification information. Correspondingly, the secondary NRF#1 sends a registration response message to the network function network element in area A.

[0161] Similarly, the network function network element in area B sends a registration request message to the secondary NRF#2 in area B. Correspondingly, the secondary NRF#2 sends a registration response message to the network function network element in area B. The configuration parameters of the network function network element carried in the registration request message can refer to the above description.

[0162] Similarly, the network function network element in area C sends a registration request message to the secondary NRF#3 in area C. Correspondingly, the secondary NRF#3 sends a registration response message to the network function network element in area C. The configuration parameters of the network function network element carried in the registration request message can be referred to the above description.

[0163] As an example, for the above-mentioned registration method 1, the following Table 1 gives an example of the information of the secondary NRF stored on the primary NRF shown in Figure 3(a). This example is presented in a tabular form, and the specific storage form is not limited in actual application. It should be noted that if the registration method 1 is applied to the example of Figure 3(b), the information of the registered NFs of the secondary NRF#3 and secondary NRF#4 is stored on the primary NRF#1, and the information of the registered NFs of the secondary NRF#5 and secondary NRF#6 is stored on the primary NRF#2.

[0164] Table 1

[0165] Registration method 2: The network function NE registers with NRFs in multiple areas.

[0166] For example, the network function network element in area A sends a registration request message to the secondary NRFs (e.g., secondary NRF#1, secondary NRF#2, and secondary NRF#3) of multiple areas respectively. The registration request message includes the configuration parameters of the network function network element, which configuration parameters include but are not limited to at least one of the following: type information of the network function network element, identification information of the network function network element, DNN, UE identification information, or slice identification information. Accordingly, each secondary NRF sends a registration response message to the network function network element in area A respectively.

[0167] Similarly, the network function network element in area B sends registration request messages to the secondary NRFs (e.g., secondary NRF#1, secondary NRF#2, and secondary NRF#3) in multiple areas respectively. Correspondingly, each secondary NRF sends a registration response message to the network function network element in area B. The configuration parameters of the network function network element carried in the registration request message can be referred to the above description.

[0168] Similarly, the network function network element in area C sends registration request messages to the secondary NRFs (e.g., secondary NRF#1, secondary NRF#2, and secondary NRF#3) in multiple areas. Correspondingly, each secondary NRF sends a registration response message to the network function network element in area C. The configuration parameters of the network function network element carried in the registration request message can be referred to the above description.

[0169] After the network function network element is registered with the secondary NRF, each secondary NRF may further send secondary NRF information to the primary NRF, where the NRF information is used to indicate information of the network function network element registered on the NRF.

[0170] As an example, for the above-mentioned registration method 2, the following Table 2 gives an example of the information of the secondary NRF stored on the primary NRF shown in Figure 3(a). This example is presented in a tabular form, and the specific storage form is not limited in actual application. It should be noted that if the registration method 2 is applied to the example of Figure 3(b), the information of the registered NFs of the secondary NRF#3 and secondary NRF#4 is stored on the primary NRF#1, and the information of the registered NFs of the secondary NRF#5 and secondary NRF#6 is stored on the primary NRF#2.

[0171] Table 2

[0172] The following specifically describes different implementation methods for the second NRF to obtain the information of M network function network elements in the above step 402, in combination with the examples of Figures 3(a) and 3(b). Referring to Figure 3(a), the first network element sends a third request message to the secondary NRF#1 (i.e., the second NRF) to request the discovery of a network function network element that matches the first parameter. After receiving the third request message, the second NRF executes the above step 402. Referring to Figure 3(b), the first network element sends a third request message to the secondary NRF#3 (i.e., the second NRF) to request the discovery of a network function network element that matches the first parameter. After receiving the third request message, the second NRF executes the above step 402.

[0173] For the above registration method 1, there are two different scenarios: Scenario 1 and Scenario 2.

[0174] In scenario 1, the above step 402 is specifically as follows: the second NRF obtains information of M network function network elements from the first NRF.

[0175] The specific implementation process of scenario 1 is described below with reference to FIG5 .

[0176] FIG5 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps:

[0177] Step 500: The first network element sends a third request message to the second NRF. Correspondingly, the second NRF receives the third request message.

[0178] This step 500 is the same as step 401 in the embodiment of FIG. 4 , and reference may be made to the aforementioned description.

[0179] Step 501: The second NRF sends a first request message to the first NRF. Correspondingly, the first NRF receives the first request message.

[0180] The first request message includes a first parameter, and the first request message is used to request to discover a network function network element that matches the first parameter. The first parameter is the first parameter in the aforementioned step 401.

[0181] Step 502: The first NRF sends a second request message to multiple NRFs corresponding to the first parameter. In response, the multiple NRFs receive the second request message.

[0182] The second request message includes a first parameter, and the second request message is used to request a network function network element that matches the first parameter. The parameter is the first parameter in the aforementioned step 401.

[0183] Among them, the multiple NRFs are located in different areas. FIG5 exemplarily shows that the multiple NRFs include NRF1 to NRFn, where n is an integer greater than 1. Taking the example of FIG3(a) as an example, the multiple NRFs include any two or three of the secondary NRF#1, the secondary NRF#2, or the secondary NRF#3. Taking the example of FIG3(b) as an example, the multiple NRFs include any two or three of the secondary NRF#3, the secondary NRF#4, or the primary NRF#2.

[0184] In one implementation method, a first NRF sends a second request message to multiple NRFs based on a local configuration, where the local configuration is used to instruct to obtain network function network elements that match the first parameter. It can be understood that the first NRF decides to enable the aggregation function based on the local configuration to obtain information about the network function network elements that match the first parameter, and aggregates the acquired information about the network function network elements and sends it to the second NRF.

[0185] In another implementation method, the above-mentioned first request message also includes indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate the acquisition of network function network elements that match the first parameter. Then, the specific step 502 is: the first NRF sends a second request message to multiple NRFs based on the indication information. It can be understood that the first NRF decides to enable the aggregation function based on the indication information to obtain information about network function network elements that match the first parameter, and aggregates the information of the obtained network function network elements and sends it to the second NRF. Exemplarily, the indication information can be carried in the third request message, so the second NRF obtains the indication information from the third request message, and carries the indication information in the first request message and sends it to the first NRF.

[0186] In step 503, the multiple NRFs respectively send information of network function elements matching the first parameter to the first NRF. Correspondingly, the first NRF receives the information of network function elements matching the first parameter.

[0187] It should be noted that the first NRF sends a second request message to multiple NRFs, and receives information about network function network elements that match the first parameter from multiple NRFs. In a specific implementation, the first NRF may send a second request message to multiple NRFs at the same time, or may send a second request message to multiple NRFs in sequence. As a specific example, the first NRF sends a second request message to a certain NRF, and after receiving the information about the network function network element that matches the first parameter returned by the NRF, it sends a second request message to the next NRF, and then after receiving the information about the network function network element that matches the first parameter, it sends a second request message to another NRF, and so on. This application does not limit the specific timing of the first NRF sending the second request message to multiple NRFs.

[0188] Step 504: The first NRF sends information about the M network function network elements to the second NRF. Correspondingly, the second NRF receives the information about the M network function network elements.

[0189] In one implementation method, the above-mentioned multiple NRFs do not include the second NRF, and the above-mentioned step 501 is specifically: the second NRF receives the third request message, determines that there is no information of the network function network element matching the first parameter on the second NRF, and then sends the first request message to the first NRF; the above-mentioned step 502 is specifically: the first NRF sends the second request message to multiple NRFs corresponding to the first parameter except the second NRF. For example, taking Figure 3(a) as an example, the second NRF receives a third request message from the first network element, and determines that there is no information about the network function network element that matches the first parameter on the second NRF, then sends a first request message to the first NRF, and then the first NRF determines the NRF corresponding to the first parameter other than the second NRF, for example, including secondary NRF#2 and secondary NRF#3, and then sends a second request message to secondary NRF#2 and secondary NRF#3 respectively, and then secondary NRF#2 and secondary NRF#3 respectively send information about the network function network element that matches the first parameter to the first NRF, so that the first NRF receives information about M network function network elements that match the first parameter, and the information of the M network function network elements includes information about the network function network element from secondary NRF#2 and information about the network function network element from secondary NRF#3. Taking Table 1 above as an example, assuming that the first parameter includes NF type and DNN#1, where the NF type is SMF, the first NRF determines that the NRF corresponding to the first parameter includes secondary NRF#2 and secondary NRF#3, so that the first NRF sends a second request message to secondary NRF#2 and secondary NRF#3, secondary NRF#2 sends SMF#3 information to the first NRF, secondary NRF#3 sends SMF#5 information to the first NRF, and then the first NRF sends SMF#3 information and SMF#5 information to the second NRF. Based on this example, the multiple NRFs in Figure 5 include secondary NRF#2 and secondary NRF#3 in Figure 3(a).For another example, taking Figure 3(b) as an example, the second NRF receives the third request message from the first network element, and determines that there is no information of the network function network element matching the first parameter on the second NRF, then sends the first request message to the first NRF, and then the first NRF determines the NRF corresponding to the first parameter other than the second NRF, for example, including the secondary NRF#4 and the primary NRF#2, and then sends the second request message to the secondary NRF#4 and the primary NRF#2 respectively, and then the secondary NRF#4 sends the information of the network function network element matching the first parameter to the first NRF, and the primary NRF#2 sends the second request message according to the second request message. , requests the secondary NRF#5 corresponding to the first parameter to obtain the identification information of the network function network element that matches the first parameter, and then the secondary NRF#5 sends the identification information of the network function network element that matches the first parameter to the primary NRF#2, and the primary NRF#2 sends the identification information of the network function network element that matches the first parameter to the primary NRF#1, so that the first NRF receives the information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter, and the information of the M network function network elements includes the information of the network function network element from the secondary NRF#4 and the information of the network function network element from the secondary NRF#5. Based on this example, the multiple NRFs in Figure 5 include the primary NRF#2 and the secondary NRF#4 in Figure 3(b).

[0190] In another implementation method, the above-mentioned multiple NRFs may include a second NRF, and the above-mentioned step 501 is specifically as follows: when the second NRF receives the third request message, it sends the first request message to the first NRF; and the above-mentioned step 502 is specifically as follows: the first NRF sends a second request message to multiple NRFs corresponding to the first parameter. If the second NRF corresponds to the first parameter, the multiple NRFs include the second NRF; if the second NRF does not correspond to the first parameter, the multiple NRFs do not include the second NRF. For example, taking Figure 3(a) as an example, the second NRF receives the third request message from the first network element, and sends the first request message to the first NRF. Then, the first NRF determines that the secondary NRFs corresponding to the first parameter include the second NRF, secondary NRF#2, and secondary NRF#3, and sends the second request message to the second NRF, secondary NRF#2, and secondary NRF#3, respectively. Then the second NRF, secondary NRF#2 and secondary NRF#3 respectively send information of network function network elements that match the first parameters to the first NRF, so that the first NRF receives information of M network function network elements that match the first parameters, and the information of the M network function network elements includes information of network function network elements from the second NRF, information of network function network elements from secondary NRF#2 and information of network function network elements from secondary NRF#3. Taking Table 1 above as an example, assuming that the first parameter includes NF type and DNN#1, where the NF type is SMF, the first NRF determines that the NRF corresponding to the first parameter includes the second NRF, secondary NRF#2, and secondary NRF#3, so that the first NRF sends a second request message to the second NRF, secondary NRF#2, and secondary NRF#3 respectively, the second NRF sends SMF#1 information to the first NRF, secondary NRF#2 sends SMF#3 information to the first NRF, secondary NRF#3 sends SMF#5 information to the first NRF, and then the first NRF sends SMF#1 information, SMF#3 information, and SMF#5 information to the second NRF. Based on this example, the multiple NRFs in Figure 5 include the second NRF (i.e., secondary NRF#1), secondary NRF#2, and secondary NRF#3 in Figure 3(a). For another example, taking Figure 3(b) as an example, the second NRF receives the third request message from the first network element, and then sends the first request message to the first NRF. Then the first NRF determines that the secondary NRFs corresponding to the first parameter include the second NRF, the secondary NRF#4 and the primary NRF#2, and then sends the second request message to the second NRF, the secondary NRF#4 and the primary NRF#2 respectively.Then the second NRF and the secondary NRF#4 respectively send information about the network function network element that matches the first parameter to the first NRF, and the primary NRF#2 determines to request the secondary NRF#5 corresponding to the first parameter to obtain the identification information of the network function network element that matches the first parameter based on the first parameter in the second request message. Then the secondary NRF#5 sends the identification information of the network function network element that matches the first parameter to the primary NRF#2, and the primary NRF#2 sends the identification information of the network function network element that matches the first parameter to the primary NRF#1, so that the first NRF receives information about M network function network elements that match the first parameter, and the information of the M network function network elements includes information about the network function network element from the second NRF, information about the network function network element from the secondary NRF#4, and information about the network function network element from the secondary NRF#5. Based on this example, the multiple NRFs in Figure 5 include the second NRF (i.e., secondary NRF#3), primary NRF#2, and secondary NRF#4 in Figure 3(b).

[0191] Step 505: The second NRF sends information of the M network function network elements to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the information of the M network function network elements.

[0192] This step 505 is the same as step 403 in the embodiment of FIG. 4 , and reference may be made to the aforementioned description.

[0193] It can be understood that the embodiment of Figure 5 is a specific implementation of the embodiment of Figure 4 above. Specifically, step 500 is the same as the aforementioned step 401, step 505 is the same as the aforementioned step 403, and steps 501 to 504 are a specific implementation of step 402 of the embodiment of Figure 4 above.

[0194] In the above solution, the first NRF obtains information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter from multiple NRFs, and sends the information of the M network function network elements to the second NRF, so that the second NRF obtains information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter.

[0195] In scenario 2, the above step 402 is specifically as follows: the second NRF obtains information of N network function network elements that match the first parameter from the first NRF, and obtains information of other MN network function network elements that match the first parameter from the second NRF.

[0196] The specific implementation process of scenario 2 is described below in conjunction with Figure 6. Figure 6 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps:

[0197] Step 600: The first network element sends a third request message to the second NRF. Correspondingly, the second NRF receives the third request message.

[0198] This step 600 is the same as step 401 in the embodiment of FIG. 4 , and reference may be made to the aforementioned description.

[0199] Step 601: The second NRF obtains information of N network function network elements matching the first parameter from the first NRF.

[0200] After receiving the third request message, the second NRF sends the first request message to the first NRF, and the first NRF sends the second request message to multiple NRFs corresponding to the first parameter except the second NRF. For example, taking Figure 3(a) as an example, the second NRF receives the third request message from the first network element, and then sends the first request message to the first NRF. Then the first NRF determines that the secondary NRFs corresponding to the first parameter include the second NRF, secondary NRF#2, and secondary NRF#3, and then sends the second request message to secondary NRF#2 and secondary NRF#3 respectively, and does not send the second request message to the second NRF. Then, secondary NRF#2 and secondary NRF#3 respectively send information about the network function network element that matches the first parameter to the first NRF, so that the first NRF receives information about N network function network elements that match the first parameter, and the information of the N network function network elements includes information about the network function network element from secondary NRF#2 and information about the network function network element from secondary NRF#3. Taking Table 1 above as an example, assuming that the first parameter includes the NF type and DNN#1, where the NF type is SMF, the first NRF determines that the NRFs corresponding to the first parameter include the second NRF, the secondary NRF#2, and the secondary NRF#3, so that the first NRF sends a second request message to the secondary NRF#2 and the secondary NRF#3 respectively, the secondary NRF#2 sends the information of SMF#3 to the first NRF, the secondary NRF#3 sends the information of SMF#5 to the first NRF, and then the first NRF sends the information of SMF#3 and SMF#5 to the second NRF. For another example, taking Figure 3(b) as an example, the second NRF receives the third request message from the first network element, and then sends the first request message to the first NRF. Then the first NRF determines that the secondary NRFs corresponding to the first parameter include the second NRF, the secondary NRF#4, and the primary NRF#2, and then sends the second request message to the secondary NRF#4 and the primary NRF#2 respectively, and does not send the second request message to the second NRF. Then the secondary NRF#4 sends the identification information of the network function network element that matches the first parameter to the primary NRF#1, and the primary NRF#2 requests the secondary NRF#5 corresponding to the first parameter to obtain the identification information of the network function network element that matches the first parameter based on the first parameter in the second request message. Then the secondary NRF#5 sends the identification information of the network function network element that matches the first parameter to the primary NRF#2, and the primary NRF#2 sends the identification information of the network function network element that matches the first parameter to the primary NRF#1, so that the first NRF receives the information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter, and the information of the M network function network elements includes the information of the network function network element from the secondary NRF#4 and the information of the network function network element from the secondary NRF#5.

[0201] In one implementation method, the above step 601 is specifically as follows: the second NRF sends a first request message to the first NRF according to the local configuration, where the local configuration is used to instruct to obtain the network function network element that matches the first parameter, and then the first NRF sends the information of N network function network elements that match the first parameter to the second NRF. It can be understood that the second NRF decides to enable the aggregation function based on the local configuration to obtain the information of the network function network elements that match the first parameter, and aggregates the acquired information of the network function network elements and sends it to the first network element.

[0202] In another implementation method, the third request message further includes indication information, where the indication information is used to instruct to obtain the network function network element that matches the first parameter. Then, step 601 is specifically as follows: the second NRF sends the first request message to the first NRF based on the indication information, and then the first NRF sends the information of N network function network elements that match the first parameter to the second NRF. It can be understood that the second NRF decides to enable the aggregation function based on the indication information to obtain the information of the network function network elements that match the first parameter, and aggregates the acquired information of the network function network elements and sends it to the first network element.

[0203] Step 602: The second NRF obtains information of other MN network function network elements that match the first parameter from itself.

[0204] In combination with the architecture of Figure 3(a), taking the above Table 1 as an example, assuming that the first parameter includes NF type and DNN#1, where the NF type is SMF, the information of the network function network element that matches the first parameter obtained by the second NRF from itself includes the information of SMF#1.

[0205] Step 603: The second NRF sends information of the M network function network elements to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the information of the M network function network elements.

[0206] This step 603 is the same as the step 403 in the embodiment of FIG. 4 , and reference may be made to the aforementioned description.

[0207] It can be understood that the embodiment of Figure 6 is a specific implementation of the embodiment of Figure 4 above. Specifically, step 600 is the same as the aforementioned step 401, step 603 is the same as the aforementioned step 403, and steps 601 to 602 are a specific implementation of step 402 of the embodiment of Figure 4 above.

[0208] In the above scheme, the first NRF obtains information of N network function network elements that match the first parameter from multiple NRFs, and sends the information of the N network function network elements to the second NRF, and the second NRF obtains information of other MN network function network elements that match the first parameter from the second NRF, so that the second NRF obtains information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter.

[0209] With respect to the second registration method, the above step 402 is specifically as follows: the second NRF obtains information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter from itself.

[0210] Based on the above-mentioned registration method 2, since each network function network element is registered with the secondary NRFs in all areas, the information of the network function network elements stored on each secondary NRF is the same. Therefore, the first network element can obtain all the information of the network function network elements that match the first parameter by sending the above-mentioned third request message to any secondary NRF. Therefore, when the first network element sends the third request message to the second NRF, the second NRF can obtain the information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter from the second NRF, and there is no need to request the first NRF to obtain the information of the network function network elements that match the first parameter, that is, there is no need to send the aforementioned first request message to the first NRF.

[0211] Among them, before the second NRF obtains the information of the M network function network elements that match the first parameter from the second NRF, the M network function network elements respectively send registration request messages to the second NRF, and the registration request messages respectively include the configuration parameters of each network function network element in the network function network element. In combination with the architecture of Figure 3(a), taking Table 2 as an example, assuming that the M network function network elements include SMF#1, SMF#3 and SMF5, then SMF#1 sends a registration request message to the second NRF, and the registration request message includes the configuration parameters of SMF#1, SMF#3 sends a registration request message to the second NRF, and the registration request message includes the configuration parameters of SMF#3, and SMF#5 sends a registration request message to the second NRF, and the registration request message includes the configuration parameters of SMF#5. Of course, SMF#1, SMF#3 and SMF5 also send registration request messages to the secondary NRF#2 and the secondary NRF#3 respectively.

[0212] In the above scheme, the second NRF obtains the information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter from the second NRF without requesting the first NRF to obtain the information of the network function network elements that match the first parameter, which can improve the speed of obtaining the information of the network function network elements.

[0213] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, any two or three of the third request message, the first request message, and the second request message may be the same message or different messages. For example, the third request message, the first request message, and the second request message are different from each other, or the third request message, the first request message, and the second request message are all the same, or the third request message is the same as the first request message and different from the second request message.

[0214] With respect to the above-mentioned architecture 3, this application introduces a corresponding method embodiment in conjunction with FIG7 .

[0215] FIG7 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. In conjunction with the example shown in FIG3(c), the first NRF in the embodiment of FIG7 may be NRF#1 in the example of FIG3(c).

[0216] The method comprises the following steps:

[0217] Step 701: A first network element sends a first request message to a first NRF. Correspondingly, the first NRF receives the first request message.

[0218] The first request message includes a first parameter, and the first request message is used to request discovery of a network function network element that matches the first parameter.

[0219] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific information included in the first parameter. Exemplarily, the first parameter includes at least one of the following: DNN, network function type information, UE identification information, or slice identification information. The slice identification information may be, for example, S-NSSAI.

[0220] The first network element and the first NRF may be located in the same area, such as the same province, the same urban area, or the same TA, etc. That is, the first network element sends a first request message to the first NRF in the same area as the first network element to request discovery of a network function network element matching the first parameter.

[0221] Exemplarily, if the first network element is an AMF network element, the first request message may be used to request discovery of at least one of an SMF network element, a UDM network element or an AUSF network element that matches the first parameter.

[0222] Exemplarily, if the first network element is an SMF network element, the first request message may be used to request discovery of at least one of a PCF network element, a UPF network element, a UDM network element, or an AUSF network element that matches the first parameter.

[0223] Exemplarily, if the first network element is an access network device (such as a gNB or eNB, etc.), the first request message can be used to request the discovery of an AMF network element that matches the first parameter.

[0224] In the embodiment of FIG. 7 , the first request message may also be referred to as a service discovery request or a service discovery request message, which are uniformly described here and will not be elaborated on later.

[0225] Step 702: The first NRF sends a second request message to multiple NRFs corresponding to the first parameter. In response, the multiple NRFs receive the second request message.

[0226] The second request message includes a first parameter, and the second request message is used to request a network function network element that matches the first parameter. The parameter is the first parameter in the aforementioned step 701.

[0227] FIG7 exemplarily shows that the multiple NRFs include NRF1 to NRFn, where n is an integer greater than 1. Taking the example of FIG3(c) as an example, the multiple NRFs include any two or three of NRF#2, NRF#3, or NRF#4.

[0228] In one implementation method, a first NRF sends a second request message to multiple NRFs based on a local configuration, where the local configuration is used to instruct to obtain network function network elements that match the first parameter. It can be understood that the first NRF decides to enable the aggregation function based on the local configuration to obtain information about the network function network elements that match the first parameter, and aggregates the acquired information about the network function network elements and sends it to the first network element.

[0229] In another implementation method, the first request message further includes indication information, where the indication information is used to instruct the acquisition of network function network elements that match the first parameters. In this case, step 702 specifically includes: the first NRF sends a second request message to multiple NRFs based on the indication information. This can be understood as the first NRF deciding to enable the aggregation function based on the indication information to acquire information about network function network elements that match the first parameters, and aggregating the acquired information about the network function network elements and sending it to the first network element.

[0230] In step 703, the multiple NRFs respectively send information of network function elements that match the first parameter to the first NRF. Correspondingly, the first NRF receives the information of network function elements that match the first parameter.

[0231] It should be noted that the first NRF sends a second request message to multiple NRFs, and receives information about network function network elements that match the first parameter from multiple NRFs. In a specific implementation, the first NRF may send a second request message to multiple NRFs at the same time, or may send a second request message to multiple NRFs in sequence. As a specific example, the first NRF sends a second request message to a certain NRF, and after receiving the information about the network function network element that matches the first parameter returned by the NRF, it sends a second request message to the next NRF, and then after receiving the information about the network function network element that matches the first parameter, it sends a second request message to another NRF, and so on. This application does not limit the specific timing of the first NRF sending the second request message to multiple NRFs.

[0232] Step 704: The first NRF sends information about the network function network element that matches the first parameter to the first network element. The first network element receives the information about the network function network element that matches the first parameter.

[0233] The first network element receives two or more pieces of information about network function network elements that match the first parameter.

[0234] Exemplarily, the first NRF receives information about two network function network elements from NRF1, receives information about one network function network element from NRF2, and receives information about one network function network element from NRF3, and then the first NRF sends the information about the four network function network elements to the first network element.

[0235] In the above solution, the first NRF obtains information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter from multiple NRFs, and sends the information of the M network function network elements to the first network element, so that the first network element obtains information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter.

[0236] For the architecture shown in Figure 3(c), there can also be two registration methods for the network function network element to register with the NRF. For details, refer to the registration method one described in the previous embodiment (that is, the network function network element only registers with the NRF in the same area) and registration method two (that is, the network function network element registers with all NRFs).

[0237] For the architecture shown in Figure 3(c), if registration method 1 is adopted, each NRF can record the registration status of the network function network elements of other NRFs, and the recorded information is similar to the format shown in Table 1 above. Based on this, when a certain NRF (such as the first NRF) receives the first request message, it can determine which NRFs should send the second request message based on the first parameter in the first request message. Taking Figure 3(c) as an example, the first NRF receives the first request message from the first network element and determines that the NRFs corresponding to the first parameter include NRF#2 and NRF#3. It then sends the second request message to NRF#2 and NRF#3 respectively. Then, NRF#2 and NRF#3 respectively send the information of the network function network element that matches the first parameter to the first NRF, so that the first NRF receives the information of N network function network elements that match the first parameter. The information of the N network function network elements includes the information of the network function network element from NRF#2 and the information of the network function network element from NRF#3.

[0238] For the architecture shown in Figure 3(c), if registration method 2 is adopted, after receiving the first request message, a certain NRF (such as the first NRF) does not need to send a second request message to other NRFs, but can obtain the identification information of all network function network elements that match the first parameter from itself and return it to the first network element.

[0239] It is understandable that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the first network element, the first network storage network element, or the second network storage network element includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that, in combination with the units and method steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or in a manner driven by computer software depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0240] Figures 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams of the structures of possible communication devices provided in the embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the first network element, the first network storage network element, or the second network storage network element in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be the first network element, the first network storage network element, or the second network storage network element, or can be a module (such as a chip) applied to the first network element, the first network storage network element, or the second network storage network element.

[0241] The communication device 800 shown in Figure 8 includes a processing unit 810 and a transceiver unit 820. The communication device 800 is used to implement the functions of the first network element, the first network storage network element or the second network storage network element in the above method embodiment.

[0242] When the communication device 800 is used to implement the function of the first network storage network element in the above method embodiment, the processing unit 810 is used to control the transceiver unit 820 to receive a first request message from the first device, the first request message includes a first parameter, and the first request message is used to request to discover a network function network element that matches the first parameter; send a second request message to multiple network storage network elements corresponding to the first parameter, the second request message includes the first parameter, and the second request message is used to request the network function network element that matches the first parameter; receive information of the network function network element that matches the first parameter from the multiple network storage network elements; and send the information of the network function network element to the first device.

[0243] In one possible implementation method, the processing unit 810 is used to control the transceiver unit 820 to send a second request message to multiple network storage network elements corresponding to the first parameter, specifically including: controlling the transceiver unit 820 to send the second request message to the multiple network storage network elements according to the local configuration, and the local configuration is used to indicate the acquisition of the network function network element that matches the first parameter.

[0244] In one possible implementation method, the first request message also includes indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate the acquisition of a network function network element that matches the first parameter; the processing unit 810 is used to control the transceiver unit 820 to send a second request message to multiple network storage network elements corresponding to the first parameter, specifically including: controlling the transceiver unit 820 to send the second request message to the multiple network storage network elements according to the indication information.

[0245] When the communication device 800 is used to implement the function of the second network storage network element in the above method embodiment, the transceiver unit 820 is used to receive a third request message from the first network element, and the third request message includes a first parameter, and the third request message is used to request to discover a network function network element that matches the first parameter; the processing unit 810 is used to obtain information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter, where M is an integer greater than 1; the transceiver unit 820 is also used to send the information of the M network function network elements to the first network element.

[0246] In one possible implementation method, the processing unit 810 is used to obtain information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter, specifically including: sending a first request message to the first network storage network element through the transceiver unit 820, the first request message including the first parameter, and the first request message being used to request discovery of the network function network element that matches the first parameter; receiving information of the M network function network elements from the first network storage network element.

[0247] In one possible implementation method, the processing unit 810 is used to obtain information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter, specifically including: sending a first request message to the first network storage network element through the transceiver unit 820, the first request message including the first parameter, and the first request message being used to request discovery of a network function network element that matches the first parameter; receiving information of N network function network elements that match the first parameter from the first network storage network element, where N is a positive integer less than M; wherein the information of the M network function network elements includes information of the N network function network elements and information of other MN network function network elements on the second network storage network element that match the first parameter.

[0248] In one possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 820 is used to send a first request message to the first network storage network element, specifically including: sending the first request message to the first network storage network element according to the local configuration, and the local configuration is used to indicate the acquisition of the network function network element that matches the first parameter.

[0249] In one possible implementation method, the third request message also includes indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate the acquisition of a network function network element that matches the first parameter; the transceiver unit 820 is used to send a first request message to the first network storage network element, specifically including: sending the first request message to the first network storage network element according to the indication information.

[0250] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 810 is used to obtain information of M network function network elements that match the first parameter, specifically including: obtaining information of the M network function network elements that match the first parameter from itself.

[0251] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 820 is further used to receive a registration request message from each of the M network function network elements respectively, and the registration request message respectively includes the configuration parameters of each of the network function network elements.

[0252] When the communication device 800 is used to implement the function of the first network element in the above method embodiment, the processing unit 810 is used to control the transceiver unit 820 to send a registration request message to multiple network storage network elements, where the registration request message includes the configuration parameters of the network function network element, and the multiple network storage network elements are located in different areas respectively; and receive registration response messages from the multiple network storage network elements.

[0253] A more detailed description of the processing unit 810 and the transceiver unit 820 can be directly obtained by referring to the relevant description in the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0254] The communication device 900 shown in Figure 9 includes a processor 910 and an interface circuit 920. The processor 910 and the interface circuit 920 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 920 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 900 may also include a memory 930 for storing instructions executed by the processor 910, or storing input data required by the processor 910 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 910 executes instructions.

[0255] When the communication device 900 is used to implement the above method embodiment, the processor 910 is used to implement the functions of the above processing unit 810 , and the interface circuit 920 is used to implement the functions of the above transceiver unit 820 .

[0256] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0257] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disk, mobile hard disk, CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in an access network device or a terminal device. Of course, the processor and storage medium can also exist in the access network device or the terminal device as discrete components.

[0258] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, an access network device, a terminal device, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The 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 integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disk; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0259] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0260] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the text description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next related objects are in an "or" relationship; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " indicates that the previous and next related objects are in a "division" relationship.

[0261] It is understood that the various numbers used in the embodiments of this application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily imply a specific order of execution; the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Receiving a first request message from a first device, where the first request message includes a first parameter, and the first request message is used to request discovery of a network function network element matching the first parameter; Sending a second request message to multiple network storage network elements corresponding to the first parameter, where the second request message includes the first parameter, and the second request message is used to request a network function network element matching the first parameter; Receiving information of network function network elements matching the first parameter from the plurality of network storage network elements; Send the information of the network function network element to the first device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The sending a second request message to a plurality of network storage network elements corresponding to the first parameter includes: The second request message is sent to the multiple network storage network elements according to the local configuration, where the local configuration is used to instruct to obtain the network function network elements matching the first parameter.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first request message further includes indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate obtaining a network function network element matching the first parameter; The sending a second request message to a plurality of network storage network elements corresponding to the first parameter includes: According to the indication information, the second request message is sent to the multiple network storage network elements.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first parameter includes at least one of the following: a data network name DNN, type information of a network function, identification information of a terminal device, or identification information of a slice.

5. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving a third request message from the first network element, the third request message including a first parameter, the third request message being used to request discovery of a network function network element matching the first parameter; Obtain information of M network function network elements matching the first parameter, where M is an integer greater than 1; Send information of the M network function network elements to the first network element.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The acquiring information of M network function network elements matching the first parameter includes: Sending a first request message to a first network storage network element, where the first request message includes the first parameter, and the first request message is used to request discovery of a network function network element that matches the first parameter; Receive information of the M network function network elements from the first network storage network element.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The acquiring information of M network function network elements matching the first parameter includes: Sending a first request message to a first network storage network element, where the first request message includes the first parameter, and the first request message is used to request discovery of a network function network element that matches the first parameter; Receiving information of N network function network elements matching the first parameter from the first network storage network element, where N is a positive integer less than M; The information of the M network function network elements includes the information of the N network function network elements and the information of other MN network function network elements matching the first parameter.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The sending a first request message to the first network storage network element includes: The first request message is sent to the first network storage network element according to a local configuration, where the local configuration is used to instruct to obtain a network function network element that matches the first parameter.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The third request message further includes indication information, where the indication information is used to instruct to obtain a network function network element matching the first parameter; The sending a first request message to the first network storage network element includes: According to the indication information, the first request message is sent to the first network storage network element.

10. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The acquiring information of M network function network elements matching the first parameter includes: Obtain information of the M network function network elements that match the first parameter from itself.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: A registration request message is received from each of the M network function network elements respectively, and the registration request message includes a configuration parameter of each of the network function network elements respectively.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The configuration parameters include at least one of the following: type information of the network function network element, identification information of the network function network element, data network name DNN, identification information of the terminal device or identification information of the slice.

13. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that The M network function network elements are backup network function network elements for each other.

14. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 13, characterized in that The first parameter includes at least one of the following: DNN, type information of network function, identification information of terminal device or identification information of slice.

15. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or the method according to any one of claims 5 to 14.

16. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a processor, the processor is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, or execute the method according to any one of claims 5 to 14.

17. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device, the method described in any one of claims 1 to 4 or the method described in any one of claims 5 to 14 is implemented.

18. A communication system, characterized in that: include: A first network storage network element, configured to receive a first request message from a first device, the first request message including a first parameter, the first request message being used to request discovery of a network function network element matching the first parameter; send a second request message to a plurality of network storage network elements corresponding to the first parameter, the second request message including the first parameter, the second request message being used to request a network function network element matching the first parameter; and receive information of the network function network element matching the first parameter from the plurality of network storage network elements; Sending the information of the network function network element to the first device; The first device is used to send the first request message to the first network storage network element, and receive information about the network function network element from the first network storage network element.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein: The first device is a second network storage network element; when the plurality of network storage network elements include the second network storage network element, the network storage network elements other than the second network storage network element in the plurality of network storage network elements are respectively located in different areas and are located in a different area from the second network storage network element; or, In the case that the plurality of network storage network elements do not include the second network storage network element, the plurality of network storage network elements are respectively located in different areas.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein: The first device is a first network element, and the first network element is a network function network element; The multiple network storage network elements are located in different areas respectively.

21. A communication system, characterized in that: include: The first network element is configured to send a third request message to the second network storage network element, the third request message including a first parameter, and the third request message is used to request discovery of a network function matching the first parameter; and receive information of M network function network elements matching the first parameter from the second network storage network element, where M is an integer greater than 1; The second network storage network element is used to receive the third request message from the first network element; and obtain information of the M network function network elements matching the first parameter; And sending the information of the M network function network elements to the first network element.

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