Communication methods, communication device, communication system and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to communication methods, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium. A method comprises: a first entity receives a first request sent by a network function service consumer, the first request comprising first information related to a network function service provider, the first information being information obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being in a first network, and the network function service provider being in a second network; and the first entity sends a second request. The embodiments of the present disclosure may improve the communication security.

Description

Communication method, communication device, communication system, and storage medium TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communication, and particularly relates to a communication method, a communication device, a communication system and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] A Non-Public Network (NPN) can be carried by a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). For performance and privacy reasons, NPN users can request to deploy one or more PLMN network functions (NFs) dedicatedly at customer premises. Then, these customer premises PLMN NFs can be regarded as NPN NFs. Among them, deploying dedicated NFs at customer premises, for example, can be sinking NFs to the machine room of customers (such as an enterprise) and the like. For example, a dedicated User Plane Function (UPF) and part of Control Plane (CP) functions can be deployed at customer premises.

[0003] However, there is a problem of mutual distrust between the PLMN and the NPN, which affects the communication security.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] How to improve the security of communication between network devices located in different networks is a technical problem to be solved.

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a communication device, a communication system and a storage medium.

[0007] According to a first aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, and the method comprises: receiving, by a first entity, a first request sent by a network function service consumer, wherein the first request comprises first information related to a network function service provider, and the first information is information processed based on second information of the network function service provider; the network function service consumer is located in a first network, and the network function service provider is located in a second network; and sending, by the first entity, a second request.

[0008] According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The method comprises: sending, by a network function service consumer, a first request to a first entity, the first request comprising first information related to a network function service provider, the first information being information obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network.

[0009] According to a third aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The method comprises: receiving, by a network function service provider, a second request sent by a first entity, the second request being determined based on a first request sent by a network function service consumer to the first entity, the first request comprising first information related to the network function service provider, the first information being information obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The method comprises: receiving, by a network function service provider, a third request sent by a second entity, the third request being determined based on a second request sent by a first entity to the second entity, the second request being determined based on a first request sent by a network function service consumer to the first entity, the first request comprising first information related to the network function service provider, the second request comprising third information related to the network function service provider, the third information being information obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network.

[0011] According to a fifth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The method comprises: receiving, by a second entity, second information of a network function service provider sent by a second NRF, the second information being used to determine first information related to the network function service provider.

[0012] According to a sixth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The method comprises: receiving, by a second entity, a second request sent by a first entity, the second request being determined based on a first request sent by a network function service consumer to the first entity, the first request comprising first information related to a network function service provider, the first information being information obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network; and sending, by the second entity, a third request to the network function service provider.

[0013] According to a seventh aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The method comprises: sending, by a first NRF, first information related to a network function service provider to a network function service consumer, the first information being information processed from second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network.

[0014] According to an eighth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a first entity is provided. The first entity comprises: a transceiver configured to receive a first request sent by a network function service consumer, the first request comprising first information related to a network function service provider, the first information being information processed from second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network; and send a second request.

[0015] According to a ninth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a network function service consumer is provided. The network function service consumer comprises: a transceiver configured to send a first request to a first entity, the first request comprising first information related to a network function service provider, the first information being information processed from second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network.

[0016] According to a tenth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a network function service provider is provided. The network function service provider comprises: a transceiver configured to receive a second request sent by a first entity, the second request being determined based on a first request sent by a network function service consumer to the first entity, the first request comprising first information related to the network function service provider, the first information being information processed from second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network.

[0017] According to an eleventh aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a network function service provider is provided. The network function service provider comprises: a transceiver configured to receive a third request sent by a second entity, the third request being determined based on a second request sent by a first entity to the second entity, the second request comprising third information related to the network function service provider, the third information being information processed from second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network.

[0018] According to a twelfth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a second entity is provided, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive second information of a network function service provider sent by a second NRF, wherein the second information is used to determine first information related to the network function service provider.

[0019] According to a thirteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a second entity is provided, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive a second request sent by a first entity, wherein the second request is determined based on a first request sent by a network function service consumer to the first entity, the first request comprises first information related to a network function service provider, the first information is information obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer is located in a first network, and the network function service provider is located in a second network; and send a third request to the network function service provider.

[0020] According to a fourteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first NRF is provided, comprising: a transceiver configured to send first information related to a network function service provider to a network function service consumer, wherein the first information is information obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer is located in a first network, and the network function service provider is located in a second network.

[0021] According to a fifteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first entity is provided, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to execute the communication method of the first aspect.

[0022] According to a sixteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a network function service consumer is provided, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to execute the communication method of the second aspect.

[0023] According to a seventeenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a network function service provider is provided, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to execute the communication method of the third aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0024] According to an eighteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a second entity is provided, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to execute the communication method of the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect.

[0025] According to a nineteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first NRF is provided, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to execute the communication method of the seventh aspect.

[0026] According to a twentieth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising a first entity, a network function service consumer, a network function service provider, a second entity, and a first NRF, wherein the first entity is configured to implement the communication method of the first aspect, the network function service consumer is configured to implement the communication method of the second aspect, the network function service provider is configured to implement the communication method of the third aspect or the fourth aspect, the second entity is configured to implement the communication method of the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, and the first NRF is configured to implement the communication method of the fifth aspect.

[0027] According to a twenty-first aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, which stores instructions, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, causing the communication device to perform any of the communication methods.

[0028] According to a twenty-second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided, which, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform any of the communication methods.

[0029] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the network function service consumer is located in the first network, the network function service provider is located in the second network, and the network function service consumer receives the first request sent by the first entity, wherein the first request comprises the first information processed from the second information of the network function service provider, so that the network function service consumer located in the first network cannot obtain the second information of the network function service provider located in the second network, and the communication security is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following describes the drawings required for the embodiments, and the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not specifically limit the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a PNI-NPN in which customer-side deployment-specific UPF and partial CP functions are deployed.

[0032] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of interactions of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of interactions of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram of interactions of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram of interactions of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 3A is a flow diagram of a communication method, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 3B is a flow diagram of a communication method, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 3C is a flow diagram of a communication method, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 3D is a flow diagram of a communication method, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 3E is a flow diagram of a communication method, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a communication method, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a communication method, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a communication method, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a communication method, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 8 is an interaction diagram of a communication method, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 9A is an interaction diagram of a communication method, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 9B is an interaction diagram of a communication method, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 9C is an interaction diagram of a communication method, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 9D is an interaction diagram of a communication method, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 10A is a structural diagram of a first entity, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 10B is a structural diagram of a network function service consumer, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0053] FIG. 10C is a structural diagram of a network function service provider, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 10D is a structural diagram of a second entity, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0055] FIG. 10E is a structural diagram of a first NRF, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 11A is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 11B is a structural schematic diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The present disclosure provides a communication method, a communication device, a communication system and a storage medium.

[0059] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method, comprising: receiving, by a first entity, a first request sent by a network function service consumer, wherein the first request comprises first information related to a network function service provider, and the first information is information processed based on second information of the network function service provider; and sending, by the first entity, a second request.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the network function service consumer is located in a first network, the network function service provider is located in a second network, and the network function service consumer receives a first request sent by a first entity, wherein the first request comprises first information processed based on second information of the network function service provider, so that the network function service consumer in the first network cannot obtain the second information of the network function service provider in the second network, thereby improving the communication security.

[0061] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first entity sends the second request, comprising: determining, by the first entity, the second information based on the first information; and sending, by the first entity, the second request to the network function service provider based on the second information.

[0062] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises: receiving, by the first entity, second information of the network function service provider sent by a first network storage function (NRF); processing, by the first entity, the second information to obtain the first information; and sending, by the first entity, the first information to the first NRF.

[0063] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first information is obtained by processing the second information of the network function service provider by a first NRF.

[0064] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving, by the first entity, third information related to the network function service provider sent by a second entity, the first entity being located in the first network, the second entity being located in the second network, the third information being information processed based on the second information of the network function service provider; processing, by the first entity, the third information to obtain the first information; and sending, by the first entity, the first information to the network function service consumer through the first NRF.

[0065] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving, by the first entity, first information of the network function service provider sent by a second entity, the first information being information processed based on the second information of the network function service provider; and sending, by the first entity, the first information to the network function service consumer through the first NRF.

[0066] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the sending, by the first entity, the second request includes: obtaining, by the first entity, the third information based on the first information; sending, by the first entity, a second request to the second entity, the second request including the third information; and using, by the second entity, the third information to obtain the second information and sending, by the second entity, a third request to the network function service provider according to the second information.

[0067] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving, by the first entity, first information sent by a second entity, the first information being processed by the second entity based on second information of a network function service provider; and sending, by the first entity, the first information to a network function service consumer.

[0068] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving, by the first entity, a discovery request sent by a first NRF, the first NRF being located in the first network; sending, by the first entity, the discovery request to a second NRF, the second NRF being located in the second network; receiving, by the first entity, second information of a network function service provider sent by the second NRF; processing, by the first entity, the second information to obtain the first information; and sending, by the first entity, the first information to the first NRF.

[0069] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises: receiving, by the first entity, a discovery request sent by the network function service consumer, the first entity being located in the first network; sending, by the first entity, the discovery request to a second entity, the second entity being configured to obtain second information of network function service providers from a second NRF and process the second information to obtain third information, the second entity being located in the second network, the second NRF being located in the second network; receiving, by the first entity, the third information sent by the second entity; processing, by the first entity, the third information to obtain the first information; and sending, by the first entity, the first information to the network function service consumer.

[0070] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises: receiving, by the first entity, a discovery request sent by the network function service consumer, the first entity being located in the first network; sending, by the first entity, the discovery request to a second entity, the second entity being configured to obtain second information of network function service providers from a second NRF and process the second information to obtain the first information, the second entity being located in the second network, the second NRF being located in the second network; receiving, by the first entity, the first information sent by the second entity; and sending, by the first entity, the first information to the network function service consumer.

[0071] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first request further comprises fourth information of the network function service consumer; the method further comprises: processing, by the first entity, the fourth information to obtain fifth information related to the network function service consumer; and sending, by the first entity, a second request, the second request comprising the fifth information.

[0072] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second entity is configured to process the fifth information to obtain sixth information and send a third request to the network function service provider, the third request comprising the sixth information.

[0073] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises: receiving, by the first entity, a first message sent by the network function service provider or receiving, by the first entity through a second entity, a first message sent by the network function service provider, the first message comprising the fifth information; and sending, by the first entity, the first message to the network function service consumer according to the fifth information.

[0074] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving, by the first entity, a SUPI (Subscriber Permanent Identifier) sent by the network function service consumer; obtaining, by the first entity, a GPSI (Generic Public Subscriber Identifier) based on the SUPI; and sending, by the first entity, the GPSI.

[0075] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving, by the first entity, a GPSI sent by the network function service consumer, the GPSI being obtained by the network function service consumer based on a SUPI via a UDM (Unified Data Management); and sending, by the first entity, the GPSI.

[0076] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: determining, by the first entity, whether to authorize the first request based on a predefined rule.

[0077] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the predefined rule comprises at least one of: whether a network function service consumer in the first network is allowed to request a service or a resource or information of a network function service provider in the second network; and whether a network function service consumer of a first network function type in the first network is allowed to request a service or a resource or information of a network function service provider in the second network.

[0078] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, the method comprising: sending, by a network function service consumer, a first request to a first entity, the first request comprising first information related to a network function service provider, the first information being information obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network.

[0079] In the above embodiments, the network function service consumer is located in the first network, the network function service provider is located in the second network, the network function service consumer receives the first request sent by the first entity, and the first request comprises the first information obtained by processing the second information of the network function service provider, so that the network function service consumer in the first network does not obtain the second information of the network function service provider in the second network, and the communication security is improved.

[0080] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is obtained by processing the second information of the network function service provider by the first entity or a first NRF.

[0081] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving, by the network function service consumer, the first information sent by the first NRF.

[0082] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending, by the network function service consumer, a discovery request to the first NRF.

[0083] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first request further includes fourth information of the network function service consumer, and the first entity is configured to process the fourth information to obtain fifth information of the network function service consumer.

[0084] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving, by the network function service consumer, the first message of the network function service provider sent by the first entity.

[0085] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, including: receiving, by a network function service provider, a second request sent by a first entity, the second request being determined based on a first request sent by a network function service consumer to the first entity, the first request including first information related to the network function service provider, the first information being information processed from second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network.

[0086] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is processed by the first entity or a first NRF from the second information of the network function service provider.

[0087] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the second request further includes fifth information related to the network function service consumer, the fifth information being obtained by the first entity by processing fourth information of the network function service consumer.

[0088] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending, by the network function service provider, a first message to the first entity.

[0089] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, which includes: receiving, by a network function service provider, a third request sent by a second entity, the third request being determined based on a second request sent by a first entity to the second entity, the second request being determined based on a first request sent by a network function service consumer to the first entity, the first request including first information related to the network function service provider, the second request including third information related to the network function service provider, the third information being information obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network.

[0090] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is obtained by processing the second information of the network function service provider by the second entity.

[0091] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending, by the network function service provider, a first message to the second entity.

[0092] In a fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, which includes: receiving, by a second entity, second information of a network function service provider sent by a second NRF, the second information being used to determine first information related to the network function service provider.

[0093] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: obtaining, by the second entity, third information by processing the second information of the network function service provider; and sending, by the second entity, the third information to a first entity, the first entity being used to obtain the first information by processing the third information.

[0094] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: obtaining, by the second entity, first information by processing the second information of the network function service provider; and sending, by the second entity, the first information to a first entity.

[0095] In a sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, which includes: receiving, by a second entity, a second request sent by a first entity, the second request being determined based on a first request sent by a network function service consumer to the first entity, the first request including first information related to a network function service provider, the first information being information obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network; and sending, by the second entity, a third request to the network function service provider.

[0096] In some embodiments combined with the sixth aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is obtained by the first entity or the first NRF by processing the second information of the network function service provider.

[0097] In some embodiments combined with the sixth aspect, in some embodiments, the second request further comprises fifth information related to the network function service consumer, the fifth information being obtained by the first entity by processing fourth information of the network function service consumer.

[0098] In some embodiments combined with the sixth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving, by the second entity, a first message sent by the network function service provider; and sending, by the second entity, the first message to the first entity.

[0099] In some embodiments combined with the sixth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving, by the second entity, a discovery request sent by the first entity; sending, by the second entity, the discovery request to a second NRF, the second NRF being located in the second network; receiving, by the second entity, second information of the network function service provider sent by the second NRF; processing, by the second entity, the second information to obtain third information; and sending, by the second entity, the third information to the first entity.

[0100] In the seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, which comprises: sending, by a first NRF, first information related to a network function service provider to a network function service consumer, the first information being information obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network.

[0101] In some embodiments combined with the seventh aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is obtained by a first entity or the first NRF by processing the second information of the network function service provider.

[0102] In some embodiments combined with the seventh aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: sending, by the first NRF, the second information of the network function service provider to a first entity; and receiving, by the first NRF, the first information sent by the first entity.

[0103] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first entity, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive a first request sent by a network function service consumer, the first request comprising first information related to a network function service provider, the first information being information processed based on second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network; and send a second request.

[0104] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network function service consumer, comprising: a transceiver configured to send a first request to a first entity, the first request comprising first information related to a network function service provider, the first information being information processed based on second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network.

[0105] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network function service provider, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive a second request sent by a first entity, the second request being determined based on a first request sent by a network function service consumer to the first entity, the first request comprising first information related to the network function service provider, the first information being information processed based on second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network.

[0106] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network function service provider, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive a third request sent by a second entity, the third request being determined based on a second request sent by a first entity to the second entity, the second request comprising third information related to the network function service provider, the third information being information processed based on second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network.

[0107] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second entity, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive second information of a network function service provider sent by a second NRF, the second information being used to determine first information related to the network function service provider.

[0108] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second entity, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive a second request sent by a first entity, the second request being determined based on a first request sent by a network function service consumer to the first entity, the first request comprising first information related to a network function service provider, the first information being information obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network; and send a third request to the network function service provider.

[0109] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first NRF, comprising: a transceiver configured to send first information related to a network function service provider to a network function service consumer, the first information being information obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer being located in a first network, and the network function service provider being located in a second network.

[0110] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first entity, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to execute the communication method of the first aspect.

[0111] In a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network function service consumer, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to execute the communication method of the second aspect.

[0112] In a seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network function service provider, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to execute the communication method of the third aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0113] In an eighteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second entity, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to execute the communication method of the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect.

[0114] In a nineteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first NRF, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to execute the communication method of the seventh aspect.

[0115] In a twentieth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system, comprising a first entity, a network function service consumer, a network function service provider, a second entity, and a first NRF, wherein the first entity is configured to implement the communication method of the first aspect, the network function service consumer is configured to implement the communication method of the second aspect, the network function service provider is configured to implement the communication method of the third aspect or the fourth aspect, the second entity is configured to implement the communication method of the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, and the first NRF is configured to implement the communication method of the fifth aspect.

[0116] In a twenty-first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium, which stores instructions, and the instructions, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the methods described above.

[0117] In a twenty-second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a program product, which includes a computer program, and the computer program, when executed on a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method described in any of the optional implementation manners of the first aspect to the fifth aspect.

[0118] In a twenty-third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in any of the optional implementation manners described above.

[0119] In a twenty-fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system. The chip or the chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the method described in any of the optional implementation manners described above.

[0120] It can be understood that the network device, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip or the chip system are all used to perform the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved are referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be described here.

[0121] The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a communication method, a network function service consumer, a network function, a network function service provider, a communication system and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the communication method and the information transmission method, the information reporting method, the information receiving method and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0122] The communication device in the embodiments of the present disclosure can include but is not limited to the network function service consumer, the network function service provider, the first NRF, the second NRF, the first entity and the second entity.

[0123] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but only illustrate some embodiments, and are not specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the scheme after removing some steps in an embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily, in addition, the optional implementation manners in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; in addition, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the steps of different embodiments or all the steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, an embodiment can be combined with the optional implementation manners of other embodiments.

[0124] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0125] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0126] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0127] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0128] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0129] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0130] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0131] The prefix words of "first", "second" and the like in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely used to distinguish different description objects, and do not constitute limitation on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. The description of the description objects should refer to the description in the claims or embodiments, and should not constitute redundant limitation because of the use of the prefix words. For example, the description objects are "fields", and the ordinal words before "fields" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or order between "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified thereby are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of "first field" and "second field". For another example, the description objects are "levels", and the ordinal words before "levels" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between "levels". For another example, the quantity of the description objects is not limited by the ordinal words, and can be one or more. For example, "first device", wherein the quantity of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different. For example, the description objects are "devices", and "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. For another example, the description objects are "information", and "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0132] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0133] In some embodiments, the terms "in response to", "in response to determining", "in the case of", "when", "when", "if", "if" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0134] In some embodiments, the terms "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", "above" and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0135] In some embodiments, an apparatus or the like can be interpreted as an entity, and can also be interpreted as virtual, and the name thereof is not limited to the name described in the embodiments, and the terms "apparatus", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0136] In some embodiments, a "network" can be interpreted as an apparatus (for example, an access network device, a core network device, and the like) included in the network.

[0137] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0138] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal," "terminal device," "user equipment (UE)," "user terminal," "mobile station (MS)," "mobile terminal (MT)," "subscriber station," "mobile unit," "subscriber unit," "wireless unit," "remote unit," "mobile device," "wireless device," "wireless communication device," "remote device," "mobile subscriber station," "access terminal," "mobile terminal," "wireless terminal," "remote terminal," "handset," "user agent," "mobile client," "client," and so on can be replaced with each other.

[0139] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced with a terminal. For example, the embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced with communication between a plurality of terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the terminal can also be configured to have all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, the terms "uplink," "downlink," and the like can also be replaced with terms corresponding to the inter-terminal communication (e.g., "side"). For example, the uplink channel, the downlink channel, and the like can be replaced with the side channel, and the uplink, the downlink, and the like can be replaced with the sidelink.

[0140] In some embodiments, the terminal can be replaced with the access network device, the core network device, or the network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can also be configured to have all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0141] In some embodiments, the data, information, etc. can be obtained in compliance with laws and regulations of the country in which the location is situated.

[0142] In some embodiments, the data, information, etc. can be obtained after obtaining consent of the user.

[0143] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0144] A Non-Public Network (NPN) can be carried by a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). For performance and privacy reasons, NPN users can request to deploy one or more network functions (NFs) dedicatedly at customer premises. Among them, deploying dedicated NFs at customer premises can be, for example, sinking the NFs to the machine room of the customer (e.g., an enterprise) and the like. For example, the customer premises can deploy a dedicated User Plane Function (UPF) and part of the Control Plane (CP) functions.

[0145] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a Public Network Integrated NPN (PNI-NPN) in which dedicated UPF and part of CP functions are deployed at customer premises.

[0146] As shown in FIG. 1A, one or more of a network slice selection function (NSSF), a network exposure function (NEF), a network repository function (NRF), a policy control function (PCF), a unified data management (UDM) function, an application function (AF), an edge application server discovery function (EASDF), the network slice specific authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF), an authentication server function (AUSF), an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a Service Control Point (SCP), a Network Slice Admission Control function (NSACF) can be included in the PLMN network, and one or more of an AMF, an SMF, a user plane function (UPF), and a Data Network (DN) deployed at the customer side B can also be included.

[0147] It can be understood that “Nnssf”, “Nnef”, “Nnrf”, “Npcf”, “Nudm”, “Naf”, “Nnssaaf”, “Nausf”, “Namf”, “Nsmf”, “N4”, “N6”, and “N9” in FIG. 1A represent the names of service interfaces, and specific descriptions can be found in the relevant descriptions in the 3GPP standard protocol, which will not be described here.

[0148] The above communication scenario can have the following security problems.

[0149] First, the PLMN does not trust the NPN. Specifically, the NPN customer can have limited resources for network security protection compared to the PLMN operator, e.g., the physical security on the customer side can be weaker than the core network of the PLMN operator. If the network function deployed on the NPN customer side is compromised, it is possible to exploit the NPN-end NF to attack the PLMN.

[0150] Further, the NPN does not trust the PLMN. The NPN part can be used for very sensitive tasks (e.g., an NPN used to support a smart factory full of business secrets). In this case, the NPN must deal with the threat brought by the PLMN network function (i.e., the NPN cannot trust the PLMN).

[0151] When the NPN and the PLMN do not trust each other (i.e., both the NPN and the PLMN can be attackers of each other), the communication system needs to meet the following security requirements.

[0152] An attacker can collect the topology information of the PLMN or the NPN, and use this information to further attack the PLMN or the NPN. Therefore, the communication system should support mutual hiding of the topology information of the PLMN and the customer-side network (NPN).

[0153] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a network function service consumer is located in a first network, a network function service provider is located in a second network, the network function service consumer receives a first request sent by a first entity, and the first request includes first information processed from second information of the network function service provider, so that the network function service consumer located in the first network cannot obtain the second information of the network function service provider located in the second network, and the communication security is improved.

[0154] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0155] As shown in FIG. 1B, the communication system 100 includes a network function service consumer 101, an NRF 102, a first entity 103, and a network function service provider 104. Among them, the network function service consumer 101 can be a network device using a service, the NRF 102 can be used for service discovery, the first entity 103 can be a proxy device, and the network function service provider 104 can be a network device capable of providing a service. Of course, the present disclosure is only exemplary, and the network function service consumer 101, the NRF 102, the first entity 103, and the network function service provider 104 can also be other types of nodes in the communication system, which are not limited by the present disclosure.

[0156] In some embodiments, a network node can include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0157] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network, and the access network device can include at least one of an evolved NodeB (eNB) in a 5th generation mobile communication technology (5G) communication system, a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved node B (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0158] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of the present disclosure can be applied to an Open RAN architecture, at this time, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can become internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be realized through software or programs.

[0159] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), wherein the CU can also be referred to as a control unit. The CU-DU structure can split the protocol layers of the access network device, and the functions of part of the protocol layers are controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers are distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0160] In some embodiments, the core network device can be one device including one or more network elements, or can be multiple devices or device groups including all or part of the one or more network elements respectively. The network element can be virtual or physical. The core network includes at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), a next generation core (NGC), for example.

[0161] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of system architecture and the appearance of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0162] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1B or part of the subject, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1B are exemplary, and the communication system can include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1B, or include other subjects other than those in FIG. 1B. The number and form of each subject is arbitrary, each subject can be physical or virtual, the connection relationship between each subject is exemplary, each subject can not be connected or can be connected, the connection can be in any way, can be direct connection or indirect connection, can be wired connection or wireless connection.

[0163] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device-to-Device (D2D) system, Machine to Machine (M2M) system, Internet of Things (IoT) system, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), system using other communication methods, next-generation system expanded based thereon, and the like. Further, a plurality of systems can be combined (for example, combination of LTE or LTE-A and 5G, and the like).

[0164] FIG. 2A is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 2A, the communication scenario can include a network function service consumer, a first NRF, a first entity, and a network function service provider. Among them, the network function service consumer is located in a first network, and the network function service provider is located in a second network. The first entity does not allow real information of one network to be disclosed to another network.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first network and the second network are different networks. For example, the first network can be a PLMN, and the second network can be an NPN; or the first network can be an NPN, and the second network can be a PLMN; or the first network is NPN1, and the second network is NPN2, and NPN1 and NPN2 are different NPN networks.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 2A, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, and the method comprises:

[0168] In step S2101, a network function (NF) service consumer sends a discovery request to a first NRF.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first NRF receives the discovery request sent by the network function service consumer.

[0170] In some embodiments, the discovery request is used to discover a network function (NF) service provider (Service Producer) that matches the network function service consumer.

[0171] In some embodiments, the discovery request can include related information of the content requested by the network function service consumer.

[0172] In step S2102, the first NRF sends second information to a first entity.

[0173] In some embodiments, the first entity can be an entity for proxying.

[0174] In some embodiments, the first entity can be an SCP.

[0175] In some embodiments, the first entity can be a proxy.

[0176] In some embodiments, the first entity can be a gateway.

[0177] In some embodiments, the first NRF can discover a network function service provider that matches the network function service consumer based on the discovery request, and determine second information of the network function service provider, which can be, for example, address information such as FQDN, IP address, etc.

[0178] It can be understood that the second information of the network function service provider can be real information of the network function service provider.

[0179] In some embodiments, the first NRF can send the second information of the network function service provider to the first entity for processing, for example, for topology hiding, so as to ensure that the real information of the network function service provider is not sent to the network function service consumer.

[0180] In some embodiments, the first information is obtained by the first NRF processing the second information of the network function service provider. That is, the second information can be processed by the first NRF instead of the first entity. The first NRF can obtain the address information of the first entity and interact with the first entity according to the address information of the first entity. In particular, the first NRF can process the second information (for example, topology hiding) to obtain the first information without sending the second information of the network function service provider to the first entity for processing. After obtaining the first information, the first NRF can send the first information to the network function service consumer. In addition, the first NRF can also send the first information to the first entity, so that the first entity knows the first information.

[0181] In some embodiments, the first NRF can obtain the address information of the first entity. The first NRF can process the second information (for example, topology hiding) to obtain the first information, and send the first information and the second information to the network function service consumer.

[0182] In step S2103, the first entity processes the second information to obtain the first information.

[0183] In some embodiments, the first entity can perform topology hiding processing on the second information of the network function service provider to obtain the first information related to the network function service provider.

[0184] In some embodiments, the first information can be rewritten second information, that is, the first entity can rewrite the second information of the network function service provider to obtain the first information.

[0185] In some embodiments, the first information can be address information of the first entity, that is, the first entity can replace the first information of the network function service provider with the address information of the first entity, and store the mapping relationship.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first information can include rewritten second information and address information of the first entity, that is, the first entity can rewrite the second information of the network function service provider, and append the address information of the first entity to the rewritten second information to obtain the first information.

[0187] Step S2104, the first entity sends the first information to the first NRF.

[0188] In some embodiments, the first NRF receives the first information sent by the first entity.

[0189] Step S2105, the first NRF sends the first information to the network function service consumer.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first information sent by the first NRF to the network function service consumer can be carried in a discovery response. The first NRF forwards the first information received from the first entity to the network function service consumer

[0191] Step S2106, the network function service consumer sends a first request to the first entity.

[0192] In some embodiments, the first request includes the first information related to the network function service provider, and the first information is information processed based on the second information of the network function service provider.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first request can be a service request, a subscription request, etc., which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first request is used to request content from the network function service provider. The content can be a service or a resource or information.

[0195] In some embodiments, the network function service consumer can also send a Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI) to the first entity, and the SUPI sent by the network function service consumer to the first entity can be carried in the first request.

[0196] In some embodiments, the network function service consumer can also send a Generic Public Subscription Identifier (GPSI) to the first entity.

[0197] In some other embodiments, the network function service consumer can send the SUPI to the UDM, obtain the Generic Public Subscription Identifier (GPSI) based on the UDM, and the GPSI sent by the network function service consumer to the first entity can be carried in the first request.

[0198] In some embodiments, the network function service consumer sends a first request to the first entity to request the first entity to perform a subsequent operation, such as requesting to obtain related information of the network function service provider.

[0199] At step S2107, the first entity sends a second request to the network function service provider.

[0200] In some embodiments, the first entity determines the second information based on the first information related to the network function service provider included in the first request.

[0201] In some embodiments, the first information is obtained by processing the second information, and both the first information and the second information are related to the network function service provider. By analyzing the first information, the second information can be determined, and thus the address and other information of the network function service provider can be determined.

[0202] In some embodiments, the network function service provider informs the first NRF of its real address and other information (the second information), and the first NRF processes it to obtain the processed address (the first information). The first entity can obtain the first information and / or the corresponding relationship between the first information and the second information, and according to the corresponding relationship, the mapping relationship between the real address and the processed address of the network function service provider can be obtained. Thus, in the subsequent service request process, the second information corresponding to the first information can be determined according to the received first information. In some embodiments, the network function service provider informs the first NRF of its real address and other information (the second information), and the first NRF informs the first entity of it to obtain the processed address (the first information). The first entity can obtain the first information and / or the corresponding relationship between the first information and the second information, and according to the corresponding relationship, the corresponding relationship between the real address and the processed address of the network function service provider can be obtained. Thus, in the subsequent service request process, the second information corresponding to the first information can be determined according to the received first information.

[0203] In some embodiments, the first entity sends a second request to the network function service provider based on the second information.

[0204] In some embodiments, the first entity can analyze the first information to determine the second information.

[0205] In some embodiments, the second information is the real information of the network function service provider, and thus the first entity can send a second request to the network function service provider.

[0206] It can be understood that the first request and the second request are both requests for requesting content from the network function service provider, and since different information is present in the first request and the second request, they are referred to as the first request and the second request for the sake of distinction.

[0207] In some embodiments, the fourth information of the network function service consumer can be included in the first request, where the fourth information can be real information of the network function service consumer.

[0208] In some embodiments, the fourth information of the network function service consumer can be included in the first request, where the fourth information can be real address information (for example, an IP address, an FQDN, and the like) of the network function service consumer.

[0209] In some embodiments, in the case where the fourth information of the network function service consumer is included in the first request, the first entity processes (for example, topology hiding) the fourth information to obtain fifth information related to the network function service consumer. The fifth information can be rewritten fourth information, the fifth information can also be address information of the first entity, and the fifth information can also include rewritten fourth information and address information of the first entity.

[0210] In some embodiments, the second request sent by the first entity to the network function service provider can include the fifth information.

[0211] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first entity can perform hiding processing on real information of the network function service provider, and can also perform hiding processing on real information of the network function service consumer, thereby realizing bidirectional topology hiding.

[0212] In some embodiments, if the first entity receives a SUPI sent by the network function service consumer, the first entity converts the SUPI into a GPSI and sends the GPSI to the network function service provider.

[0213] In some embodiments, if the first entity receives a SUPI sent by the network function service consumer, the first entity sends the SUPI to a UDM to determine a corresponding GPSI, and sends the GPSI to the network function service provider.

[0214] In some embodiments, if the first entity receives a GPSI sent by the network function service consumer, the first entity can send the GPSI to the network function service provider.

[0215] In some embodiments, the first entity can determine whether to authorize the first request based on a predefined rule.

[0216] In some embodiments, the predefined rule can comprise at least one of: whether the network function service consumer in the first network is allowed to request the service or resource or information of the network function service provider in the second network; whether the network function service consumer of the first network function type in the first network is allowed to request the service or resource or information of the network function service provider in the second network.

[0217] In step S2108, the network function service provider sends a first message to the first entity.

[0218] In some embodiments, the network function service provider provides the related content to the network function service consumer based on the second request.

[0219] In some embodiments, the first message can be a service response or a notification message.

[0220] In step S2109, the first entity sends the first message to the network function service consumer.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first entity forwards the first message to the network function service consumer.

[0222] The communication method disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure can comprise at least one of steps S2101-S2109. For example, step S2106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0223] In some embodiments, steps S2101, S2102, S2103, S2104, S2105, S2108, and S2109 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0224] In some embodiments, steps S2102 and S2103 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0225] In some embodiments, steps S2108 and S2109 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0226] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the description of FIG. 2A can be referred to.

[0227] In some embodiments, each step in FIG. 2A can be implemented independently. In the case of no contradiction, each step can be combined arbitrarily, and the order of each step can be exchanged arbitrarily, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0228] FIG. 2B is an interaction diagram of a communication method, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0229] As shown in FIG. 2B, the communication scenario can include a network function service consumer, a first NRF, a first entity, a second entity, a second NRF, and a network function service provider. Among them, the network function service consumer, the first NRF, and the first entity are located in the first network, and the network function service provider, the second NRF, and the second entity are located in the second network. The first entity and the second entity do not disclose the real information of one network to the other network.

[0230] As shown in FIG. 2B, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, and the method includes:

[0231] In step S2201, the network function service consumer sends a discovery request to the first NRF.

[0232] In some embodiments, the first NRF receives the discovery request sent by the network function service consumer.

[0233] In some embodiments, the discovery request is used to discover a network function service provider that matches the network function service consumer.

[0234] In some embodiments, the discovery request can include related information of the content requested by the network function service consumer.

[0235] In step S2202, the first NRF sends the discovery request to the first entity.

[0236] In step S2203, the first entity sends the discovery request to the second entity.

[0237] In some embodiments, the first entity and the second entity can be entities for proxying.

[0238] In some embodiments, the first entity can be an SCP.

[0239] In some embodiments, the first entity can be a proxy.

[0240] In some embodiments, the first entity can be a gateway.

[0241] In some embodiments, the second entity can be an SCP.

[0242] In some embodiments, the second entity can be a proxy.

[0243] In some embodiments, the second entity can be a gateway.

[0244] In step S2204, the second entity sends the discovery request to the second NRF.

[0245] Step S2205, the second NRF sends the second information to the second entity.

[0246] In some embodiments, the second NRF can discover the network function service provider matching the network function service consumer based on the discovery request, and determine the second information of the network function service provider.

[0247] Step S2206, the second entity processes the second information to obtain the third information or the first information.

[0248] In some embodiments, the second NRF can send the second information of the network function service provider to the second entity for processing, such as topology hiding, so as to ensure that the real information of the network function service provider is not sent to the network function service consumer.

[0249] In some embodiments, the second entity can process the second information to directly obtain the first information, and send the first information to the first entity. The first entity can not process the first information, but forward the first information to the first NRF.

[0250] In some embodiments, the second entity can perform topology hiding on the second information to directly obtain the first information, and send the first information to the first entity.

[0251] In some embodiments, the second entity can perform topology hiding on the second information to obtain the third information, and send the third information to the first entity. The third information is rewritten to obtain the first information, and the first information is forwarded to the first NRF.

[0252] In other embodiments, the second entity can perform first processing (such as topology hiding processing or rewriting processing) on the second information to obtain the third information, and send the third information to the first entity. The first entity performs second processing (such as transcribing the third information, and further combining the transcribed third information with the address information of the first entity) on the third information to obtain the first information, and sends the first information to the first NRF.

[0253] Step S2207, the second entity sends the third information or the first information to the first entity.

[0254] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the first information sent by the second entity, and sends the first information to the first NRF.

[0255] In other embodiments, the first entity receives the third information sent by the second entity, processes the third information to obtain the first information, and sends the first information to the first NRF.

[0256] Step S2208, the first entity sends the first information to the first NRF.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first information can be carried in the discovery response.

[0258] At step S2209, the first NRF sends the first information to the network function service consumer.

[0259] In some embodiments, the first information can be carried in the discovery response.

[0260] At step S2210, the network function service consumer sends a first request to the first entity.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first request can include the first information related to the network function service provider.

[0262] At step S2211, the first entity sends a second request to the second entity.

[0263] In some embodiments, the first entity can obtain the third information based on the first information related to the network function service provider included in the first request.

[0264] In some embodiments, the first entity can send the second request to the second entity based on the third information.

[0265] In some embodiments, the second request can include fourth information (e.g. real address information) of the network function service consumer. In the case that the second request includes the fourth information of the network function service consumer, the first entity processes the fourth information (e.g. topology hiding processing) to obtain fifth information, and sends the second request including the fifth information to the second entity.

[0266] At step S2212, the second entity sends a third request to the network function service provider.

[0267] In some embodiments, the first entity can determine the second information based on the third information included in the second request.

[0268] In some embodiments, the first entity can send the third request to the network function service provider based on the second information.

[0269] At step S2213, the network function service provider sends a first message to the second entity.

[0270] At step S2214, the second entity sends the first message to the first entity.

[0271] In some embodiments, the second information of the network function service provider (e.g., real address information) can be included in the first message. In the case that the second information of the network function service provider is included in the first message, the second entity processes (e.g., topology hiding processing) the second information to obtain the first information, and sends the first message including the first information to the first entity.

[0272] At step S2215, the first entity sends the first message to the network function service consumer.

[0273] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S2201-S2215. For example, step S2210 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0274] In some embodiments, steps S2201, S2202, S2203, S2204, S2205, S2206, S2207, S2208, S2209, S2213, S2214, S2215 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0275] In some embodiments, steps S2201, S2202, S2203, S2204 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0276] In some embodiments, steps S2213, S2214, S2215 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0277] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the corresponding description of FIG. 2B can be referred to.

[0278] In some embodiments, each step in FIG. 2B can be implemented independently. Without contradiction, each step can be arbitrarily combined, and the order of each step can be arbitrarily exchanged, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0279] FIG. 2C is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0280] As shown in FIG. 2C, the communication scenario can include a network function service consumer, a first NRF, a first entity, a second NRF, and a network function service provider. Among them, the network function service consumer and the first NRF are located in the first network, and the network function service provider and the second NRF are located in the second network. The first entity does not allow the real information of one network to be leaked to another network.

[0281] As shown in FIG. 2C, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, and the method comprises:

[0282] In step S2301, the network function service consumer sends a discovery request to the first NRF.

[0283] In some embodiments, the first NRF receives the discovery request sent by the network function service consumer.

[0284] In some embodiments, the discovery request is used to discover the network function service provider matched with the network function service consumer.

[0285] In some embodiments, the discovery request can include the related information of the content requested by the network function service consumer.

[0286] In step S2302, the first NRF sends the discovery request to the first entity.

[0287] In some embodiments, the first entity can be an SCP.

[0288] In some embodiments, the first entity can be an agent.

[0289] In some embodiments, the first entity can be a gateway.

[0290] In step S2303, the first entity sends the discovery request to the second NRF.

[0291] In step S2304, the second NRF sends the second information to the first entity.

[0292] In some embodiments, the second NRF can discover the network function service provider matched with the network function service consumer based on the discovery request, and obtain the second information of the network function service provider.

[0293] In step S2305, the first entity processes the second information to obtain the first information.

[0294] In some embodiments, the second NRF can send the second information of the network function service provider to the first entity for processing, such as topology hiding, so as to ensure that the real information of the network function service provider is not sent to the network function service consumer.

[0295] In some embodiments, the first entity can process the second information to obtain the first information.

[0296] In step S2306, the first entity sends the first information to the first NRF.

[0297] In some embodiments, the first information can be carried in the discovery response.

[0298] The first NRF sends the first information to the network function service consumer in step S2307.

[0299] In some embodiments, the first information can be carried in the discovery response.

[0300] The network function service consumer sends a first request to the first entity in step S2308.

[0301] In some embodiments, the first request can include the first information related to the network function service provider.

[0302] The first entity sends a second request to the network function service provider in step S2309.

[0303] In some embodiments, the first entity can determine the second information based on the first information related to the network function service provider included in the first request.

[0304] In some embodiments, the first entity can send the second request to the network function service provider based on the second information.

[0305] In some embodiments, the second request can include fourth information (e.g., real address information) of the network function service consumer. In the case where the second request includes the fourth information of the network function service consumer, the first entity processes the fourth information (e.g., topology hiding processing) to obtain fifth information, and sends the second request including the fifth information to the network function service provider.

[0306] The network function service provider sends a first message to the first entity in step S2310.

[0307] The first entity sends the first message to the network function service consumer in step S2311.

[0308] In some embodiments, the first message can include second information (e.g., real address information) of the network function service provider. In the case where the first message includes the second information of the network function service provider, the first entity processes the second information (e.g., topology hiding processing) to obtain the first information, and sends the first message including the first information to the network function service consumer.

[0309] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S2301-S2311. For example, step S2308 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2309 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0310] In some embodiments, steps S2301, S2302, S2303, S2304, S2305, S2306, S2307, S2310, S2311 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0311] In some embodiments, steps S2301, S2302, S2303, S2304 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0312] In some embodiments, steps S2310, S2311 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0313] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2C can be referred to.

[0314] In some embodiments, each step in FIG. 2C can be implemented independently. Each step can be combined arbitrarily and the order of each step can be exchanged arbitrarily without contradiction, and the disclosure does not limit this.

[0315] FIG. 2D is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0316] As shown in FIG. 2D, the communication scenario can include a network function service consumer, a first entity, a second entity, a second NRF, and a network function service provider. Among them, the network function service consumer and the first entity are located in the first network, and the network function service provider, the second NRF, and the second entity are located in the second network. The first entity and the second entity do not disclose the real information of one network to the other network.

[0317] It can be understood that the communication scenario of FIG. 2D can include one NRF, and since the NRF and the network function service provider are located in the same network, for the convenience of description, it is called the second NRF.

[0318] As shown in FIG. 2D, the embodiment of the disclosure relates to a communication method, and the above method comprises:

[0319] Step S2401, the network function service consumer sends a discovery request to the first entity.

[0320] In some embodiments, the first NRF receives the discovery request sent by the network function service consumer.

[0321] In some embodiments, the discovery request is used to discover a network function service provider matched with the network function service consumer.

[0322] In some embodiments, the discovery request can include relevant information of content requested by the network function service consumer.

[0323] At step S2402, the first entity sends a discovery request to the second entity.

[0324] In some embodiments, the first entity and the second entity can be entities for proxying.

[0325] In some embodiments, the first entity can be an SCP.

[0326] In some embodiments, the first entity can be a proxy.

[0327] In some embodiments, the first entity can be a gateway.

[0328] In some embodiments, the second entity can be an SCP.

[0329] In some embodiments, the second entity can be a proxy.

[0330] In some embodiments, the second entity can be a gateway.

[0331] At step S2403, the second entity sends the discovery request to the second NRF.

[0332] At step S2404, the second NRF sends second information to the second entity.

[0333] In some embodiments, the second NRF can discover a network function service provider matching the network function service consumer based on the discovery request, and obtain the second information of the network function service provider.

[0334] At step S2405, the second entity processes the second information to obtain third information or the first information.

[0335] In some embodiments, the second NRF can send the second information of the network function service provider to the second entity for processing, such as topology hiding, so as to ensure that the real information of the network function service provider is not sent to the network function service consumer.

[0336] In some embodiments, the second entity can process the second information to directly obtain the first information, and send the first information to the first entity. The first entity can not process the first information, and forward the first information to the first NRF.

[0337] In some embodiments, the second entity can process the second information to directly obtain the first information, and send the first information to the first entity.

[0338] In some embodiments, the second entity can topologically hide the second information, obtain the third information, and send the third information to the first entity, the third information being rewritten to obtain the first information, and the first information being forwarded to the first NRF.

[0339] In some other embodiments, the second entity can perform a first processing (e.g., a hiding processing or a rewriting processing) on the second information, obtain the third information, and send the third information to the first entity. The first entity performs a second processing on the third information (e.g., transcribes the third information, and further combines the transcribed third information with the address information of the first entity) to obtain the first information, and forwards the first information to the first NRF.

[0340] In step S2406, the second entity sends the third information or the first information to the first entity.

[0341] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the first information sent by the second entity, and sends the first information to the first NRF.

[0342] In some other embodiments, the first entity receives the third information sent by the second entity, processes the third information to obtain the first information, and sends the first information to the first NRF.

[0343] In step S2407, the first entity sends the first information to the network function service consumer.

[0344] In some embodiments, the first information can be carried in a discovery response.

[0345] In step S2408, the network function service consumer sends a first request to the first entity.

[0346] In some embodiments, the first request can include the first information related to the network function service provider.

[0347] In step S2409, the first entity sends a second request to the second entity.

[0348] In some embodiments, the first entity can obtain the third information based on the first information related to the network function service provider included in the first request.

[0349] In some embodiments, the first entity can send the second request to the second entity based on the third information.

[0350] In some embodiments, the fourth information (e.g., real address information) of the network function service consumer can be included in the second request. In the case that the fourth information of the network function service consumer is included in the second request, the first entity processes (e.g., topology hiding processing) the fourth information to obtain the fifth information, and sends the second request including the fifth information to the second entity.

[0351] In step S2410, the second entity sends a third request to the network function service provider.

[0352] In some embodiments, the first entity can determine the second information based on the third information included in the second request.

[0353] In some embodiments, the first entity can send the third request to the network function service provider based on the second information.

[0354] In step S2411, the network function service provider sends a first message to the second entity.

[0355] In step S2412, the second entity sends the first message to the first entity.

[0356] In some embodiments, the second information (e.g., real address information) of the network function service provider can be included in the first message. In the case that the second information of the network function service provider is included in the first message, the second entity processes (e.g., topology hiding processing) the second information to obtain the first information, and sends the first message including the first information to the first entity.

[0357] In step S2413, the first entity sends the first message to the network function service consumer.

[0358] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S2401-S2413. For example, step S2408 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0359] In some embodiments, steps S2401, S2402, S2403, S2404, S2405, S2406, S2407, S2410, S2411, S2412, S2413 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0360] In some embodiments, steps S2401, S2402, S2403, S2404, S2405, S2406 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0361] In some embodiments, steps S2411, S2412, S2413 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0362] In some embodiments, other optional implementations can be described before or after the description of Figure 2D.

[0363] In some embodiments, each step in Figure 2D can be implemented independently. In the case of no contradiction, each step can be combined arbitrarily, and the order of each step can be exchanged arbitrarily, and the disclosure does not limit this.

[0364] In some embodiments, the name of information and the like is not limited to the name described in the embodiments, and the terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codebook", "codeword", "code point", "bit", "data", "program", "chip" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0365] In some embodiments, the terms such as "time", "time point", "time", "time position" can be replaced with each other, and the terms such as "time length", "time period", "time window", "window", "time" can be replaced with each other.

[0366] In some embodiments, "acquire", "obtain", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be replaced with each other, which can be interpreted as receiving from other subjects, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, processing to obtain, and various meanings such as autonomous implementation.

[0367] In some embodiments, the terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "issue", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be replaced with each other.

[0368] In some embodiments, the terms "certain", "preset", "pre-set", "set", "indicated", "any", "first", and the like can be replaced with each other, and "certain A", "preset A", "pre-set A", "set A", "indicated A", "any A", "first A" can be interpreted as A predetermined in a protocol or the like, or A obtained by setting, configuring, or indicating, or a specific A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0369] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values (for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0370] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on the time domain resource and / or the frequency domain resource, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data or the like after receiving the data or the like; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the receiving party to respond to the content of the sending.

[0371] FIG. 3A is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3A, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the above method comprises:

[0372] In step S3101, second information is acquired.

[0373] The optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0374] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the second information sent by the first NRF.

[0375] In step S3102, the second information is processed to obtain the first information.

[0376] The optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0377] In some embodiments, the first entity processes the second information to obtain the first information.

[0378] In step S3103, the first information is sent.

[0379] The optional implementation of step S3103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0380] In some embodiments, the first entity sends the first information to the first NRF.

[0381] Step S3104: obtaining the first request.

[0382] The optional implementation of step S3104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0383] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the first request sent by the network function service consumer.

[0384] Step S3105: sending the second request.

[0385] The optional implementation of step S3105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0386] In some embodiments, the first entity sends the second request to the network function service provider.

[0387] Step S3106: obtaining the first message.

[0388] The optional implementation of step S3106 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2108 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0389] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the first message sent by the network function service provider.

[0390] Step S3107: sending the first message.

[0391] The optional implementation of step S3107 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2109 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0392] In some embodiments, the first entity sends the first message to the network function service consumer.

[0393] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3101-S3107. For example, step S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0394] In some embodiments, steps S3101, S3102, S3103 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0395] In some embodiments, steps S3106, S3107 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0396] In some embodiments, each of the steps in FIG. 3A can be implemented independently. Without contradiction, each of the steps can be combined arbitrarily, and the order of each of the steps can be exchanged arbitrarily, which is not limited by the disclosure.

[0397] FIG. 3B is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3B, the embodiment of the disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method comprises:

[0398] Step S3201: obtaining a discovery request.

[0399] The optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2202 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0400] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the discovery request sent by the first NRF.

[0401] Step S3202: sending the discovery request.

[0402] The optional implementation of step S3202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2203 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0403] In some embodiments, the first entity sends the discovery request to the second entity.

[0404] Step S3203: obtaining third information or first information.

[0405] The optional implementation of step S3203 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2207 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0406] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the third information or the first information sent by the second entity.

[0407] Step S3204: sending the first information.

[0408] The optional implementation of step S3204 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2208 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0409] In some embodiments, the first entity sends the first information to the first NRF.

[0410] Step S3205, obtaining the first request.

[0411] The optional implementation of step S3205 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2210 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0412] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the first request sent by the network function service consumer.

[0413] Step S3206, sending the second request.

[0414] The optional implementation of step S3206 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2211 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0415] In some embodiments, the first entity sends the second request to the second entity.

[0416] Step S3207, obtaining the first message.

[0417] The optional implementation of step S3207 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2214 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0418] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the first message sent by the second entity.

[0419] Step S3208, sending the first message.

[0420] The optional implementation of step S3208 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2215 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0421] In some embodiments, the first entity sends the first message to the network function service consumer.

[0422] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3201-S3208. For example, step S3205 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3206 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0423] In some embodiments, steps S3201, S3202, S3203, S3204 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0424] In some embodiments, steps S3207, S3208 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0425] In some embodiments, each step in FIG. 3B can be implemented independently. Without contradiction, each step can be combined arbitrarily, and the order of each step can be exchanged arbitrarily, which is not limited by the disclosure.

[0426] FIG. 3C is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3C, the embodiment of the disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method comprises:

[0427] Step S3301, obtaining a discovery request.

[0428] The optional implementation of step S3301 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2302 in FIG. 2C and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0429] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the discovery request sent by the first NRF.

[0430] Step S3302, obtaining second information.

[0431] The optional implementation of step S3302 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2304 in FIG. 2C and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0432] In some embodiments, the second NRF sends the second information to the first entity.

[0433] Step S3303, processing the second information to obtain first information.

[0434] The optional implementation of step S3303 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2305 in FIG. 2C and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0435] In some embodiments, the first entity processes the second information to obtain the first information.

[0436] Step S3304, sending the first information.

[0437] The optional implementation of step S3304 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2306 in FIG. 2C and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0438] In some embodiments, the first entity sends the first information to the first NRF.

[0439] Step S3305, obtaining the first request.

[0440] The optional implementation of step S3305 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2308 in FIG. 2C and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0441] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the first request sent by the network function service consumer.

[0442] Step S3306, sending the second request.

[0443] The optional implementation of step S3306 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2309 in FIG. 2C and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0444] In some embodiments, the first entity sends the second request to the network function service provider.

[0445] Step S3307, obtaining the first message.

[0446] The optional implementation of step S3307 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2310 in FIG. 2C and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0447] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the first message sent by the network function service provider.

[0448] Step S3308, sending the first message.

[0449] The optional implementation of step S3308 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2311 in FIG. 2C and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0450] In some embodiments, the first entity sends the first message to the network function service consumer.

[0451] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3301-S3308. For example, step S3305 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3306 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0452] In some embodiments, steps S3301, S3302, S3303, S3304 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0453] In some embodiments, steps S3307, S3308 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0454] In some embodiments, each step in FIG. 3C can be implemented independently. Without contradiction, each step can be combined arbitrarily, and the order of each step can be exchanged arbitrarily, which is not limited by the disclosure.

[0455] FIG. 3D is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3D, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method comprises:

[0456] Step S3401, obtaining a discovery request.

[0457] The optional implementation of step S3401 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2401 in FIG. 2D and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0458] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the discovery request sent by the network function service consumer.

[0459] Step S3402, sending the discovery request.

[0460] The optional implementation of step S3402 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2402 in FIG. 2D and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0461] In some embodiments, the first entity sends the discovery request to the second entity.

[0462] Step S3403, obtaining the third information or the first information.

[0463] The optional implementation of step S3403 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2406 in FIG. 2D and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0464] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the third information or the first information sent by the second entity.

[0465] Step S3404, sending the first information.

[0466] The optional implementation of step S3404 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2407 in FIG. 2D and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0467] In some embodiments, the first entity sends the first information to the network function service consumer.

[0468] Step S3405: obtaining the first request.

[0469] The optional implementation of step S3405 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2408 in FIG. 2D and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0470] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the first request sent by the network function service consumer.

[0471] Step S3406: sending the second request.

[0472] The optional implementation of step S3406 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2409 in FIG. 2D and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0473] In some embodiments, the first entity sends the second request to the second entity.

[0474] Step S3407: obtaining the first message.

[0475] The optional implementation of step S3407 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2412 in FIG. 2D and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0476] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the first message sent by the second entity.

[0477] Step S3408: sending the first message.

[0478] The optional implementation of step S3408 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2413 in FIG. 2D and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0479] In some embodiments, the first entity sends the first message to the network function service consumer.

[0480] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3401-S3408. For example, step S3405 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3406 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0481] In some embodiments, steps S3401, S3402, S3403, S3404 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0482] In some embodiments, steps S3407, S3408 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0483] In some embodiments, the steps in FIG. 3D can be implemented independently. Without contradiction, each step can be combined arbitrarily, and the order of each step can be exchanged arbitrarily, which is not limited by the disclosure.

[0484] FIG. 3E is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3E, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the above method comprises:

[0485] Step S3501, obtaining a first request.

[0486] The optional implementation of step S3501 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0487] In some embodiments, the first entity receives the first request sent by the network function service consumer.

[0488] Step S3502, sending a second request.

[0489] The optional implementation of step S3502 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0490] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3501-S3502. For example, step S3501 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3502 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but not limited thereto.

[0491] In some embodiments, the steps in FIG. 3E can be implemented independently. Without contradiction, each step can be combined arbitrarily, and the order of each step can be exchanged arbitrarily, which is not limited by the disclosure.

[0492] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the above method comprises:

[0493] Step S4101, sending a discovery request.

[0494] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2A, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, and FIG. 2D, which are not described here again.

[0495] In some embodiments, the network function service consumer sends a discovery request to the first NRF or the first entity.

[0496] Step S4102, obtaining first information.

[0497] The optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in FIG. 2A, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, and FIG. 2D, which are not described here again.

[0498] In some embodiments, the network function service consumer receives the first information sent by the first NRF or the first entity.

[0499] Step S4103, sending a first request.

[0500] The optional implementation of step S4103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in FIG. 2A, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, and FIG. 2D, which are not described here again.

[0501] In some embodiments, the network function service consumer sends the first request to the first entity.

[0502] Step S4104, obtaining a first message.

[0503] The optional implementation of step S4104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2109 in FIG. 2A, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, and FIG. 2D, which are not described here again.

[0504] In some embodiments, the network function service consumer receives the first message sent by the first entity.

[0505] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S4101-S4104. For example, step S4103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0506] In some embodiments, steps S4101, S4102, S4104 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0507] In some embodiments, the steps in FIG. 4 can be implemented independently. In the case of no contradiction, each of the steps can be combined arbitrarily, and the order of each of the steps can be exchanged arbitrarily, which is not limited by the disclosure.

[0508] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the embodiment of the disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method comprises:

[0509] In step S5101, a second request or a third request is obtained.

[0510] The optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in FIG. 2A, step S2212 in FIG. 2B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, and FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0511] In some embodiments, the network function service provider receives the second request sent by the first entity or the third request sent by the second entity.

[0512] In step S5102, a first message is sent.

[0513] The optional implementation of step S5102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2108 in FIG. 2A, step S2213 in FIG. 2B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, and FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0514] In some embodiments, the network function service provider sends the first message to the first entity or the second entity.

[0515] The communication method related to the embodiment of the disclosure can comprise at least one of steps S5101-S5102. For example, step S5101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0516] In some embodiments, step S5102 is optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0517] In some embodiments, the steps in FIG. 5 can be implemented independently. In the case of no contradiction, each of the steps can be combined arbitrarily, and the order of each of the steps can be exchanged arbitrarily, which is not limited by the disclosure.

[0518] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the embodiment of the disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method comprises:

[0519] In step S6101, a discovery request is obtained.

[0520] The optional implementation of step S6101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2203 in FIG. 2B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B and FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0521] In some embodiments, the second entity receives the discovery request sent by the first entity.

[0522] Step S6102: sending the discovery request.

[0523] The optional implementation of step S6102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2204 in FIG. 2B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B and FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0524] In some embodiments, the second entity sends the discovery request to the second NRF.

[0525] Step S6103: obtaining the second information.

[0526] The optional implementation of step S6103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2205 in FIG. 2B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B and FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0527] In some embodiments, the second entity receives the second information sent by the second NRF.

[0528] Step S6104: processing the second information to obtain the third information or the first information.

[0529] The optional implementation of step S6104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2206 in FIG. 2B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B and FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0530] In some embodiments, the second entity processes the second information to obtain the third information or the first information.

[0531] Step S6105: sending the third information or the first information.

[0532] The optional implementation of step S6105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2207 in FIG. 2B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B and FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0533] In some embodiments, the second entity sends the third information or the first information to the first entity.

[0534] Step S6106: obtaining the second request.

[0535] The optional implementation of step S6106 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2211 in FIG. 2B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B and FIG. 2D, which are not described herein again.

[0536] In some embodiments, the second entity receives the second request sent by the first entity.

[0537] Step S6107, sending the third request.

[0538] The optional implementation of step S6107 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2212 in FIG. 2B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B and FIG. 2D, which are not described herein again.

[0539] In some embodiments, the second entity sends the third request to the network function service provider.

[0540] Step S6108, obtaining the first message.

[0541] The optional implementation of step S6108 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2213 in FIG. 2B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B and FIG. 2D, which are not described herein again.

[0542] In some embodiments, the second entity receives the first message sent by the network function service provider.

[0543] Step S6109, sending the first message.

[0544] The optional implementation of step S6109 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2214 in FIG. 2B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B and FIG. 2D, which are not described herein again.

[0545] In some embodiments, the second entity sends the first message to the first entity.

[0546] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S6101-S6109. For example, step S6106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S6107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0547] In some embodiments, steps S6101, S6102, S6103, S6104, S6105, S6108, and S6109 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0548] In some embodiments, the steps in FIG. 6 can be implemented independently. In the case of no contradiction, each step can be combined arbitrarily, and the order of each step can be exchanged arbitrarily, and the disclosure does not limit this.

[0549] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, the embodiment of the disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method comprises:

[0550] Step S7101, obtaining a discovery request.

[0551] The optional implementation of step S7101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, and FIG. 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0552] In some embodiments, the first NRF receives a discovery request sent by a network function service consumer.

[0553] Step S7102, sending second information or a discovery request.

[0554] The optional implementation of step S7102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2A, the optional implementation of step S2202 in FIG. 2B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, and FIG. 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0555] In some embodiments, the first NRF sends the second information or the discovery request to the first entity.

[0556] Step S7103, obtaining first information.

[0557] The optional implementation of step S7103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, and FIG. 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0558] In some embodiments, the first NRF receives first information sent by the first entity.

[0559] Step S7104, sending first information.

[0560] The optional implementation of step S7104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, and FIG. 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0561] In some embodiments, the first NRF sends the first information to the network function service consumer.

[0562] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can comprise at least one of steps S7101-S7104.

[0563] In some embodiments, steps S7101, S7102, S7103, S7104 are optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0564] In some embodiments, the steps in FIG. 7 can be implemented independently. Without contradiction, each step can be combined arbitrarily, and the order of each step can be exchanged arbitrarily, which is not limited by the present disclosure.

[0565] FIG. 8 is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, and the method comprises:

[0566] In step S8101, a first entity sends a first request to a network function service consumer.

[0567] The optional implementation of step S8101 can be referred to step S2106 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0568] In step S8102, the first entity sends a second request to a second entity or a network function service provider.

[0569] The optional implementation of step S8102 can be referred to step S2107 in FIG. 2A, step S2211 in FIG. 2B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, FIG. 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0570] In some embodiments, the steps in FIG. 8 can be implemented independently. Without contradiction, each step can be combined arbitrarily, and the order of each step can be exchanged arbitrarily, which is not limited by the present disclosure.

[0571] In some embodiments, the above method can comprise the method of the above embodiments of the communication system side, network device side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0572] FIG. 9A is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0573] As shown in FIG. 9A, the NF service consumer, NRF and proxy are located in domain A, and the NF service provider, NRF and proxy are located in domain B.

[0574] If domain A represents an NPN domain, domain B can represent a PLMN domain or another NPN domain.

[0575] If domain A represents a PLMN domain, domain B can represent an NPN domain.

[0576] The NRF and the proxy do not leak the real address of one domain to another domain.

[0577] As shown in FIG. 9A, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, the method comprising:

[0578] At step S9101, the NF service consumer sends a discovery request to the NRF.

[0579] In some embodiments, the NF service consumer of domain A sends a discovery request to the NRF in domain A, the discovery request can be, for example, Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request, the discovery request can include at least one of the following: expected service name, NF type of the expected NF, PLMN ID, NF type of the NF service consumer. The discovery request can also include optional NF set ID of the service provider, NF service set ID, S-NSSAI, NSI ID, NPN indication (if available) and other service related parameters. To discover the service provided by the NPN, the NPN indication should be included in the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request, the NPN indication can include at least one of the following, for example: CAG identification related to NPN, location information (e.g. geographical location, data center) that can identify a specific NPN, NPN identification.

[0580] In some embodiments, the NRF passes the authentication of the NF service consumer and obtains the NPN information provided by the NF service consumer.

[0581] In some embodiments, the NRF can authenticate the network function service consumer through CCA. The NPN information of the network function service consumer service is included in the CCA, and thus the NRF can determine the NPN information of the network function service consumer service.

[0582] In some embodiments, the network function service consumer can be authenticated by the NRF based on a client credential assertion (CCA). In some embodiments, the NRF can determine the NPN information associated with the network function service consumer based on the profile of the network function service consumer or the certificate of the network function service consumer or the CCA of the network function service consumer. The NPN information associated with the network function service consumer can also be referred to as the information of the NPN served by the network function service consumer.

[0583] In some embodiments, the NRF authenticates the NF service consumer based on a Client Credentials Assertion (CCA). The CCA includes the NPN information served by the NF service consumer. Thus, after authentication, the NRF can obtain the NPN information served by the NF.

[0584] At step S9102, topology hiding is performed between the NRF and the proxy.

[0585] In some embodiments, if the NF service producer and the NF service consumer are in different domains (e.g., one NF is in an NPN domain and the other NF is in a PLMN domain), the NRF can send the original address information (e.g., FQDN, IP address, etc.) of the discovered NF service producer to the proxy. The proxy can achieve topology hiding by re-writing the address information of the NF service producer. The proxy can send its own address information (e.g., FQDN, IP address) and the re-written FQDN of the NF service producer to the NRF. The NRF appends the address information (e.g., FQDN, IP address, etc.) of the proxy after the re-written FQDN of the NF service producer (e.g., <re-written FQDN of NF service producer>.<FQDN of the proxy>) to form the modified address information of the discovered NF service producer.

[0586] In some embodiments, if the NRF has the address information (e.g., FQDN, IP address) of the proxy. If the NF service producer and the NF service consumer are in different domains (e.g., one NF is in an NPN domain and the other NF is in a PLMN domain), the NRF can achieve topology hiding by re-writing the address information of the NF service producer. The NRF appends the address information (e.g., FQDN, IP address) of the proxy after the re-written FQDN of the NF service producer (e.g., <re-written FQDN of NF service producer>.<FQDN of the proxy>) to form the modified address information of the discovered NF service producer. The NRF can send the re-written FQDN of the NF service producer and the original address information of the discovered NF service producer to the proxy.

[0587] In some embodiments, the proxy is an SCP.

[0588] At step S9103, the NRF sends a discovery response to the NF service consumer.

[0589] In some embodiments, the NRF returns the modified address information of the NF service provider to the NF service consumer. The network service consumer can handle the modified address information of the NF service provider. Specifically, if the network service consumer needs to send a request to the NF service provider, the NF service consumer sends the request to the proxy address attached in the modified NF service provider address information. The request can include the rewritten address of the NF service provider.

[0590] Step S9104, the NF service consumer sends a service request or a subscribe message to the proxy.

[0591] In some embodiments, the NF service consumer sends a request message to the proxy. The request message can include a label in the modified address information. The proxy finds the real address information of the NF service provider from the modified NF service provider address information. The request message can include a callback URI (Uniform Resource Identifier).

[0592] Step S9105, the proxy sends a service request or a subscribe message to the NF service provider.

[0593] In some embodiments, the proxy obtains the address of the NF service provider through address resolution.

[0594] In some embodiments, the proxy uses the label to identify the address of the NF service provider.

[0595] In some embodiments, the proxy can modify the callback URI. The way of rewriting the callback URI is similar to the way of modifying the address of the NF service provider as described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0596] Step S9106, the NF service provider sends a service response or a notification message to the proxy.

[0597] The proxy can parse the address of the NF service consumer from the service response or the subscribe message.

[0598] In some embodiments, the proxy can perform topology hiding on the address of the NF service consumer.

[0599] Step S9107, the proxy sends a service response or a notification message to the NF service consumer.

[0600] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can support bidirectional topology hiding between different networks, for example, support bidirectional topology hiding between a PLMN and a NPN (PLMN hosting NPN).

[0601] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S9101-S9107.

[0602] In some embodiments, each step in FIG. 9A can be implemented independently. In the case of no contradiction, each step can be combined arbitrarily, and the order of each step can be exchanged arbitrarily, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0603] FIG. 9B is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0604] As shown in FIG. 9B, the NF service consumer, NRF-A and proxy-A are located in domain (Domain) A, and the NF service provider, NRF-B and proxy-B are located in domain B.

[0605] If domain A represents a NPN domain, domain B can represent a PLMN domain or other NPN domain.

[0606] If domain A represents a PLMN domain, domain B can represent a NPN domain.

[0607] The NRF and the proxy do not leak the real address of one domain to the other domain.

[0608] As shown in FIG. 9B, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, and the above method includes:

[0609] Step S9201, the NF service consumer sends a discovery request to the NRF-A.

[0610] In some embodiments, the discovery request can be an NF discovery request.

[0611] In some embodiments, the NF service consumer in domain A sends a discovery request to the NRF in domain A, the discovery request can be, for example, Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request, the discovery request can include at least one of the following: expected service name, NF type of the expected NF, PLMN ID, NF type of the NF service consumer. The discovery request can also include optional NF set ID of the service provider, NF service set ID, S-NSSAI, NSI ID, NPN indication (if available) and other service related parameters. To discover the service provided by the NPN, the NPN indication should be included in the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request, the NPN indication can include at least one of the following, for example: CAG identification related to the NPN, location information (such as geographic location, data center) that can identify a specific NPN, NPN identification.

[0612] Step S9202, NRF-A sends a discovery request to proxy-A.

[0613] If domain A is an NPN domain and NRF-A needs to discover the NF deployed in domain B, NRF-A needs to forward the discovery request to proxy-A.

[0614] If domain A is a PLMN domain and NRF-A needs to discover the NF deployed in domain B, NRF-A needs to forward the discovery request to proxy-A.

[0615] In some embodiments, proxy-A can be a SCP deployed in domain A.

[0616] Step S9203, proxy-A sends a discovery request to proxy-B.

[0617] In some embodiments, proxy-B can be a SCP deployed in domain B.

[0618] Step S9204, proxy-B sends a discovery request to NRF-B.

[0619] Step S9205, NRF-B sends a discovery response to proxy-B.

[0620] NRF-B authorizes Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request. NRF-B can decide whether to allow the NF service consumer to discover the expected NF instance according to the profile of the expected NF / NF service, the type of the NF service consumer and the NPN indication (optional).

[0621] If allowed, the NRF will determine a set of NF instances that meet the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request and the NRF internal policy, and send the NF profiles of these instances. Each NF profile includes at least the parameters required to send to the NF service consumer through the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response message (e.g. IP address of the NF service provider, FQDN of the NF service provider).

[0622] The NRF-B can forward the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response message to the Proxy-B.

[0623] Step S9206, the Proxy-B sends the discovery response to the Proxy-A.

[0624] In order to hide the topology information, the Proxy-B can rewrite the address information (such as IP address, FQDN) of the discovered NF service provider in the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response message. That is, the Proxy-B can perform topology hiding on the address of the NF service provider.

[0625] The Proxy-B forwards the modified Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response message to the Proxy-A.

[0626] Step S9207, the Proxy-A sends the discovery response to the NRF-A.

[0627] The Proxy-A can attach its own FQDN address to the address of the discovered NF received from the Proxy-B (e.g. <rewritten FQDN of discovered NF> <FQDN of Proxy-A>), and then sends the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response to the NRF-A.

[0628] Step S9208, the NRF-A sends the discovery response to the NF service consumer.

[0629] The NRF-A sends the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response including the modified address information to the NF service consumer.

[0630] Step S9209, the NF service consumer sends a service request or subscription message to the Proxy-A.

[0631] If the domain A is an NPN domain, the NF service consumer needs to send a service request / subscription message to the domain B, then the service request / subscription message is forwarded to the Proxy-A by the NF service consumer. The service request / subscription message can include the address information provided by the NRF-A.

[0632] If the domain A is a PLMN domain, the NF service consumer needs to send service request / subscription message / notification message to the NF of domain B, the NRF-A forwards the discovery request to the proxy A. The service request / subscription message can include the address information provided by the NRF-A.

[0633] The service request / subscription message can be related to subscription / notification communication. The subscription / notification communication between 5GC NFs can be used to make the participating NF (service consumer) aware of data changes or events that occur to another NF (service producer). A notification is a message containing information about an event. During explicit subscription, the service consumer NF (client) provides a callback URI and possibly other filtering criteria to the service producer NF (server). When a data change / event occurs that matches the filtering criteria in the subscription, the service producer NF (playing the role of HTTP client) notifies the service consumer NF (playing the role of HTTP server) about the change using the provided callback URI.

[0634] Step S9210, the proxy-A sends the service request or subscription message to the proxy-B.

[0635] The proxy-A forwards the service request / subscription message to the proxy-B.

[0636] If the callback URI including address information (e.g. FQDN, IP address) is included in the service request / subscription message, the proxy-A will perform topology hiding in a similar way as defined in step S9206. In some embodiments, the proxy-A can perform topology hiding on the address of the NF service consumer.

[0637] Step S9211, the proxy-B sends the service request or subscription message to the NF service producer.

[0638] In some embodiments, the proxy-B appends its own FQDN address to the address of the proxy B's callback URI (e.g. <rewritten FQDN of callback URI> <FQDN of Proxy-B>), and then sends the service request / subscription message to the NF service producer.

[0639] Step S9212, the NF service producer sends the service response or notification message to the proxy-B.

[0640] Step S9213, the proxy-B sends the service response or notification message to the proxy-A.

[0641] Step S9214, the proxy-A sends the service response or notification message to the NF service consumer.

[0642] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S9201-S9214.

[0643] In some embodiments, each step in FIG. 9B can be implemented independently. Without contradiction, each step can be combined arbitrarily, and the order of each step can be exchanged arbitrarily, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0644] FIG. 9C is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0645] If the NPN indication is received, the NRF in the PLMN shall consider the NPN indication for service discovery. If the NF profile of the target NF does not allow to be discovered by NFs in the NPN, the NRF in the PLMN shall reject the discovery request and / or send a failure / error message. Otherwise, the NRF in the PLMN shall continue discovery authorization according to the NPN indication.

[0646] If a service discovery request is received from a PLMN domain, if the NF profile of the target NF does not allow to be discovered by NFs in the PLMN domain, the NRF in the NPN shall reject the discovery request and / or send a failure / error message. Otherwise, the NRF in the NPN shall continue discovery authorization.

[0647] In the communication method shown in FIG. 9C, an agent is used to modify the address information.

[0648] The agent does not leak the real address information of one domain to another domain.

[0649] As shown in FIG. 9C, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, and the method includes:

[0650] In step S9301, the NF service consumer sends a discovery request to NRF-A.

[0651] In some embodiments, the discovery request can be an NF discovery request.

[0652] In some embodiments, the NF service consumer in the domain A sends a discovery request to the NRF in the domain A, the discovery request can be, for example, Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request, the discovery request can include at least one of the following: expected service name, NF type of the expected NF, PLMN ID, NF type of the NF service consumer. The discovery request can also include optional NF set ID of the service provider, NF service set ID, S-NSSAI, NSI ID, NPN indication (if available) and other service related parameters. To discover the service provided by the NPN, the NPN indication should be included in the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request, the NPN indication can include at least one of the following, for example: CAG identification related to the NPN, location information (for example, geographic location, data center) that can identify a specific NPN, NPN identification.

[0653] Step S9302, the NRF-A sends a discovery request to the proxy.

[0654] In some embodiments, the proxy can be an SCP.

[0655] Step S9303, the proxy sends a discovery request to the NRF-B.

[0656] Step S9304, the NRF-B sends a discovery response to the proxy.

[0657] The NRF-B authorizes the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request. The NRF-B can decide whether to allow the NF service consumer to discover the expected NF instance according to the profile of the expected NF / NF service, the type of the NF service consumer and the NPN indication (optional).

[0658] If allowed, the NRF will determine a set of NF instances that meet the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request and the internal policy of the NRF, and send the NF profiles of these instances. Each NF profile includes at least the parameters required to send to the NF service consumer through the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response message (for example, IP address of the NF service provider, FQDN of the NF service provider).

[0659] The NRF-B can forward the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response message to the proxy.

[0660] Step S9305, the proxy sends a discovery response to the NRF-A.

[0661] To hide the topology information, the proxy can rewrite the address information (such as IP address, FQDN) of the discovered NF service provider in the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response message.

[0662] The proxy forwards the modified Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response message to the NRF-A.

[0663] Step S9306, the NRF-A sends a discovery response to the NF service consumer.

[0664] In some embodiments, the NRF-A sends the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response including the modified address information to the NF service consumer.

[0665] Step S9307, the NF service consumer sends a service request or subscription message to the proxy.

[0666] If the domain A is a NPN domain, the NF service consumer needs to send a service request / subscription message to the domain B, the service request / subscription message is forwarded to the proxy by the NF service consumer. The service request / subscription message can include the address information provided by the NRF-A.

[0667] If the domain A is a PLMN domain, the NF service consumer needs to send a service request / subscription message / notification message to the NF of the domain B, the discovery request is forwarded to the proxy by the NRF-A. The service request / subscription message can include the address information provided by the NRF-A.

[0668] The service request / subscription message can be related to subscription / notification communication. The subscription / notification communication between 5GC NFs can be used to make the participating NF (service consumer) aware of data changes or events that occur to another NF (service provider). The notification is a message containing information about the event. During explicit subscription, the service consumer NF (client) provides a callback URI and possibly other filtering criteria to the service producer NF (server). When a data change / event occurs that matches the filtering condition in the subscription, the service producer NF (playing the role of HTTP client) notifies the service consumer NF (playing the role of HTTP server) about the change using the provided callback URI.

[0669] Step S9308, the proxy sends a service request or subscription message to the NF service provider.

[0670] In some embodiments, if the callback URI including address information (e.g., FQDN, IP address) is included in the service request / subscription message, the proxy will perform topology hiding in a similar manner as defined in step S9305.

[0671] At step S9309, the NF service provider sends a service response or notification message to the proxy.

[0672] At step S9310, the proxy sends a service response or notification message to the NF service consumer.

[0673] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S9301-S9310.

[0674] In some embodiments, steps S9301-S9310 can be exchanged in order or executed simultaneously. Without contradiction, each step can be combined arbitrarily, and the order of each step can be exchanged arbitrarily, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0675] FIG. 9D is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0676] As shown in FIG. 9D, the NF service consumer, NRF-A, and proxy-A are located in domain (Domain) A, and the NF service provider, NRF-B, and proxy-B are located in domain B.

[0677] If domain A represents an NPN domain, domain B can represent a PLMN domain or other NPN domain.

[0678] If domain A represents a PLMN domain, domain B can represent an NPN domain.

[0679] The NRF and the proxy do not disclose the real address of one domain to the other domain.

[0680] As shown in FIG. 9D, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, and the method includes:

[0681] At step S9401, the NF service consumer sends a discovery request to proxy-A.

[0682] In some embodiments, the discovery request can be an NF discovery request.

[0683] In some embodiments, proxy-A can be an SCP.

[0684] In some embodiments, proxy-A can be an SCP deployed in domain A.

[0685] In some embodiments, the NF service consumer sends a discovery request and a service request to proxy-A.

[0686] In some embodiments, the NF service consumer sends a proxy discovery request to proxy-A.

[0687] In some embodiments, the NF service consumer sends a service request to proxy-A.

[0688] In some embodiments, the NF service consumer sends a request to the proxy-A, which requests the proxy-A to request the service from the NF service provider.

[0689] Step S9402, the proxy-A sends a discovery request to the proxy-B.

[0690] In some embodiments, the proxy-A can be a SCP.

[0691] In some embodiments, the proxy-A can be a SCP deployed in domain A.

[0692] In some embodiments, the proxy-B can be a SCP.

[0693] In some embodiments, the proxy-B can be a SCP deployed in domain B.

[0694] Step S9403, the proxy-B sends a discovery request to the NRF-B.

[0695] Step S9404, the NRF-B sends a discovery response to the proxy-B.

[0696] The NRF-B authorizes the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request. The NRF-B can decide whether to allow the NF service consumer to discover the desired NF instance according to the profile of the desired NF / NF service, the type of the NF service consumer and the NPN indication (optional).

[0697] If allowed, the NRF will determine a set of NF instances that meet the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request and the NRF internal policy, and send the NF profiles of these instances. Each NF profile includes at least the parameters required to send to the NF service consumer through the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response message (e.g. IP address of the NF service provider, FQDN of the NF service provider).

[0698] The NRF-B can forward the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response message to the proxy-B.

[0699] Step S9405, the proxy-B sends a discovery response to the proxy-A.

[0700] In some embodiments, the proxy-B can perform topology hiding on the address information of the NF service provider.

[0701] In some embodiments, in order to hide the topology information, the proxy-B can rewrite the address information (such as IP address, FQDN) of the discovered NF service provider in the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response message.

[0702] Proxy-B forwards the modified Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response message to Proxy-A.

[0703] In some embodiments, this step can be ignored.

[0704] Step S9406, Proxy-A sends discovery response to NF service consumer.

[0705] In some embodiments, Proxy A can append its own FQDN address to the address of the discovered NF received from Proxy B (e.g. <rewritten FQDN of discovered NF> <FQDN of Proxy-A>) and then send Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response to the NF service consumer.

[0706] In some embodiments, this step can be ignored.

[0707] Step S9407, NF service consumer sends service request or subscription message to Proxy-A.

[0708] If domain A is NPN domain, NF service consumer needs to send service request / subscription message to domain B, then the service request / subscription message is forwarded by NF service consumer to Proxy-A. The service request / subscription message can include address information provided by NRF-A.

[0709] If domain A is PLMN domain, NF service consumer needs to send service request / subscription message / notification message to NF of domain B, then NRF-A forwards the discovery request to Proxy-A. The service request / subscription message can include address information provided by NRF-A.

[0710] The service request / subscription message can be related to subscription / notification communication. Subscription / notification communication between 5GC NFs can be used to make the participating NF (service consumer) aware of data changes or events that occur at another NF (service producer). A notification is a message containing information about an event. During explicit subscription, the service consumer NF (client) provides a callback URI and possibly other filtering criteria to the service producer NF (server). When a data change / event occurs that matches the filtering criteria in the subscription, the service producer NF (playing the role of HTTP client) notifies the service consumer NF (playing the role of HTTP server) about the change using the provided callback URI.

[0711] In some embodiments, this step can be ignored.

[0712] Step S9408, the proxy-A sends a service request or subscription message to the proxy-B.

[0713] The proxy-A forwards the service request / subscription message to the proxy-B.

[0714] In some embodiments, the proxy-A performs topology hiding on the address (e.g. FQDN, IP address) of the NF service consumer.

[0715] In some embodiments, if the callback URI including address information (e.g. FQDN, IP address) is included in the service request / subscription message, the proxy-A will perform topology hiding in a similar manner as defined in step S9406.

[0716] In some embodiments, the proxy-A sends a service request to the proxy-B on behalf of the NF service consumer.

[0717] In some embodiments, the proxy-A sends a service request to the proxy-B based on the proxy discovery request of the NF service consumer.

[0718] In some embodiments, the proxy-A sends a service request to the proxy-B based on the service request of the NF service consumer.

[0719] In some embodiments, the proxy-A sends a service request to the proxy-B based on the service request in step S9401.

[0720] Step S9409, the proxy-B sends a service request or subscription message to the NF service provider.

[0721] In some embodiments, the proxy-B attaches its own FQDN address to the address of the callback URI of the proxy B (e.g. <rewritten FQDN of callback URI> <FQDN of Proxy-B>), and then sends the service request / subscription message to the NF service provider.

[0722] Step S9410, the NF service provider sends a service response or notification message to the proxy-B.

[0723] Step S9411, the proxy-B sends a service response or notification message to the proxy-A.

[0724] In some embodiments, the service response or notification message sent by the NF service provider to the proxy-B contains address information (e.g. FQDN, IP address) of the NF service provider, and the proxy-B performs topology hiding on the address information of the NF service provider.

[0725] Step S9412, the proxy-A sends a service response or notification message to the NF service consumer.

[0726] The communication method according to embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S9401-S9412.

[0727] In some embodiments, each of the steps in FIG. 9A can be implemented independently. Without contradiction, each of the steps can be combined in any manner, and the order of each of the steps can be exchanged, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0728] In embodiments of the present disclosure, part or all of the steps, and optional implementation manners thereof, can be combined with part or all of the steps in other embodiments, or combined with optional implementation manners of other embodiments.

[0729] Embodiments of the present disclosure also propose a device for implementing any of the above methods, for example, a device including units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another device is also proposed, including units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (such as an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0730] It should be understood that the division of each unit or module in the above apparatus is only a logical function division, and all or part of them can be integrated into a physical entity or physically separated in actual implementation. In addition, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of processor calling software: for example, the apparatus includes a processor, the processor is connected with a memory, the memory stores instructions, and the processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to realize the functions of any of the above methods or the units or modules of the above apparatus, wherein the processor is a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory in the apparatus or a memory outside the apparatus. Alternatively, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units or modules can be realized by the design of the hardware circuit. The above hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the units or modules are realized by the design of the logical relationship between the elements in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the above hardware circuit is a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is taken as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, so as to realize the functions of part or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above apparatus can be all implemented in the form of processor calling software, or all implemented in the form of hardware circuit, or part implemented in the form of processor calling software and the remaining part implemented in the form of hardware circuit.

[0731] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like. In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through a logical relationship of hardware circuits, and the logical relationship of the hardware circuits is fixed or can be reconfigured. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the configuration of the hardware circuit. It can be understood that the processor loads instructions to implement the functions of the above part or all units or modules. In addition, the hardware circuit can also be designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), or the like.

[0732] FIG. 10A is a structural schematic diagram of a first entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 10A, the first entity 10100 can include a transceiver module 10101. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 10101 is configured to receive the first request sent by the network function service consumer. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the steps (for example, step S2106, but not limited thereto) in the processing performed by the first entity in any of the above methods.

[0733] FIG. 10B is a structural schematic diagram of a network function service consumer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 10B, the network function service consumer 10200 can include a transceiver module 10201. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 10201 is configured to send the first request to the first entity. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the steps (for example, step S2106, but not limited thereto) in the processing performed by the NRF in any of the above methods, which will not be described herein again.

[0734] FIG. 10C is a structural diagram of a network function service provider according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 10C, the network function service provider 10300 can include a transceiver module 10301. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 10301 is configured to receive the second request sent by the first entity or receive the third request sent by the second entity. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the steps (for example, step S2107, but not limited thereto) in the processing performed by the network function service consumer in any of the above methods. Details are not described herein again.

[0735] FIG. 10D is a structural diagram of a second entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 10D, the second entity 10400 can include a transceiver module 10401. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 10401 is configured to receive the second information of the network function service provider sent by the second NRF or receive the second request sent by the first entity. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the steps (for example, step S2205, but not limited thereto) in the processing performed by the network function service consumer in any of the above methods. Details are not described herein again.

[0736] FIG. 10E is a structural diagram of a first NRF according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 10E, the first NRF 10500 can include a transceiver module 10501. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 10101 is configured to send the first information related to the network function service provider to the network function service consumer. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the steps (for example, step S2105, but not limited thereto) in the processing performed by the network function service consumer in any of the above methods. Details are not described herein again.

[0737] In some embodiments, the processing module can be a module or can include a plurality of sub-modules. Optionally, the plurality of sub-modules respectively perform all or part of the steps required to be performed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be mutually replaced with the processor.

[0738] FIG. 11A is a structural diagram of a communication device 11100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 11100 can be a network device (for example, an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (for example, a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the terminal to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 11100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and details can be referred to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0739] As shown in FIG. 11A, the communication device 11100 includes one or more processors 11101. The processor 11101 can be a general processor or a special-purpose processor, etc., such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be configured to process communication protocols and communication data, the central processing unit can be configured to control a communication apparatus (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process data of the programs. Optionally, the communication device 11100 is configured to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the one or more processors 11101 are configured to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 11100 to perform any of the above methods.

[0740] In some embodiments, the communication device 11100 further includes one or more transceivers 11102. When the communication device 11100 includes the one or more transceivers 11102, the transceiver 11102 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2101, S2102, S2104, S2105, S2106, but not limited to) in the above methods, and the processor 11101 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., step S2103, but not limited to). In optional embodiments, the transceiver can include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiving unit, transceiver, transceiving circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc. can be replaced by each other, and the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other.

[0741] In some embodiments, the communication device 11100 further includes one or more memories 11103 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memory 11103 can also be outside the communication device 11100. In optional embodiments, the communication device 11100 can include one or more interface circuits 11104. Optionally, the interface circuit 11104 is connected to the memory 11103, and the interface circuit 11104 can be configured to receive data from the memory 11103 or other devices, and can be configured to send data to the memory 11103 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 11104 can read data stored in the memory 11103 and send the data to the processor 11101.

[0742] The communication device 11100 described in the above embodiments can be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 11100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 11100 can not be limited by FIG. 11A. The communication device can be a standalone device or can be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device can be: 1) a standalone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, which can optionally also include storage components for storing data, programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, a smart terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handset, a mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, and the like; (6) other devices, and the like.

[0743] FIG. 11B is a structural schematic diagram of a chip 11200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case where the communication device 11100 is a chip or a chip system, the structural schematic diagram of the chip 11200 shown in FIG. 11B can be referred to, but is not limited thereto.

[0744] The chip 11200 includes one or more processors 11201. The chip 11200 is configured to perform any of the above methods.

[0745] In some embodiments, the chip 11200 further includes one or more interface circuits 11202. Optionally, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and the like can be replaced with each other. In some embodiments, the chip 11200 further includes one or more memories 11203 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memory 11203 can be outside the chip 11200. Optionally, the interface circuit 11202 is connected to the memory 11203, and the interface circuit 11202 can be configured to receive data from the memory 11203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 11202 can be configured to send data to the memory 11203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 11202 can read data stored in the memory 11203 and send the data to the processor 11201.

[0746] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 11202 performs at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S2101, step S2102, step S2104, step S2105, step S2106, but not limited to) of transmitting and / or receiving in the above method. The interface circuit 11202 performing the communication steps such as transmitting and / or receiving in the above method refers to that the interface circuit 11202 performs data interaction between the processor 11201, the chip 11200, the memory 11203 or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 11201 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2103, but not limited to).

[0747] The modules and / or devices described in each of the embodiments of the virtual device, the physical device, the chip, etc. can be combined or separated as the case may be. Alternatively, part or all of the steps can also be executed by a plurality of modules and / or devices in cooperation, which is not limited here.

[0748] The disclosure also proposes a storage medium, and the above storage medium stores instructions, which, when executed on the communication device 11100, causes the communication device 11100 to perform any of the above methods. Alternatively, the above storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Alternatively, the above storage medium is a computer readable storage medium, but is not limited to this, and it can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Alternatively, the above storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited to this, and it can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0749] The disclosure also proposes a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 11100, causes the communication device 11100 to perform any of the above methods. Alternatively, the above program product is a computer program product.

[0750] The disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: A first entity receives a first request sent by a network function service consumer, where the first request includes first information related to a network function service provider, where the first information is obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer is located in a first network, and the network function service provider is located in a second network; The first entity sends a second request.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first entity sending the second request includes: The first entity determines the second information based on the first information; The first entity sends the second request to the network function service provider based on the second information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first entity receives second information of the network function service provider sent by the first network storage function NRF; The first entity processes the second information to obtain the first information; The first entity sends the first information to the first NRF.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first information is obtained by the first NRF through processing according to the second information of the network function service provider.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further comprises: The first entity receives third information related to the network function service provider sent by the second entity, the first entity is located in the first network, the second entity is located in the second network, and the third information is obtained by processing the second information of the network function service provider; The first entity processes the third information to obtain the first information; The first entity sends the first information to the network function service consumer through a first NRF.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first entity receives first information of the network function service provider sent by the second entity, where the first information is obtained by processing the second information of the network function service provider; The first entity sends the first information to the network function service consumer through a first NRF.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The first entity sends a second request, including: The first entity determines the third information based on the first information; The first entity sends a second request to the second entity, where the second request includes the third information; the second entity is used to determine the second information based on the third information, and send a third request to the network function service provider according to the second information.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first entity receives first information sent by the second entity, where the first information is obtained by the second entity based on second information provided by the network function service provider; The first entity sends the first information to the network function service consumer.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first entity receives a discovery request sent by a first NRF, where the first NRF is located in the first network; The first entity sends the discovery request to a second NRF, where the second NRF is located in the second network; The first entity receives second information of the network function service provider sent by the second NRF; The first entity processes the second information to obtain the first information; The first entity sends the first information to the first NRF.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first entity receives a discovery request sent by the network function service consumer, where the first entity is located in the first network; The first entity sends the discovery request to the second entity, the second entity is used to obtain second information of the network function service provider from the second NRF and process the second information to obtain third information, the second entity is located in the second network, and the second NRF is located in the second network; The first entity receives the third information sent by the second entity; The first entity processes the third information to obtain first information; The first entity sends the first information to the network function service consumer.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further comprises: The first entity receives a discovery request sent by the network function service consumer, where the first entity is located in the first network; The first entity sends the discovery request to the second entity, and the second entity is used to obtain the network function service from the second NRF providing second information of the party and processing the second information to obtain the first information, the second entity being located in the second network, and the second NRF being located in the second network; The first entity receives the first information sent by the second entity; The first entity sends the first information to the network function service consumer.

12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first request further includes fourth information of the network function service consumer; The method further comprises: The first entity processes the fourth information to obtain fifth information related to the network function service consumer; The first entity sends a second request, including: The first entity sends a second request to the network function service provider or the second entity, where the second request includes the fifth information.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The second entity is configured to process the fifth information to obtain sixth information and send a third request to the network function service provider, where the third request includes the sixth information.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first entity receives a first message sent by a network function service provider or receives a first message sent by a network function service provider through a second entity, where the first message includes the fifth information; The first entity sends the first message to the network function service consumer according to the fifth information.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further comprises: The first entity receives a user permanent identifier SUPI sent by the network function service consumer; The first entity obtains a universal public user identifier (GPSI) based on the SUPI; The first entity sends the GPSI.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further comprises: The first entity receives the GPSI sent by the network function service consumer, and the network function service consumer obtains the GPSI based on the SUPI through a unified data management (UDM); The first entity sends the GPSI.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further comprises: The first entity determines whether to authorize the first request based on predefined rules.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The predefined rules include at least one of the following: Whether the network function service consumer in the first network is allowed to request services, resources or information from the network function service provider in the second network; Whether a network function service consumer of the first network function type located in the first network is allowed to request services, resources, or information of a network function service provider located in the second network.

19. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The network function service consumer sends a first request to the first entity, where the first request includes first information related to the network function service provider, where the first information is obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider. The network function service consumer is located in the first network, and the network function service provider is located in the second network.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The first information is obtained by the first entity or the first NRF processing the second information of the network function service provider.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein The method further comprises: The network function service consumer receives the first information sent by the first NRF.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein The method further comprises: The network function service consumer sends a discovery request to the first NRF.

23. The method according to claim 19, wherein The first request also includes fourth information of the network function service consumer, and the first entity is used to process the fourth information to obtain fifth information of the network function service consumer.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein The method further comprises: The network function service consumer receives a first message from the network function service provider sent by the first entity.

25. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The network function service provider receives a second request sent by a first entity, where the second request is determined based on the first request sent by a network function service consumer to the first entity. The first request includes first information related to the network function service provider, where the first information is information obtained by processing the second information of the network function service provider. The network function service consumer is located in a first network, and the network function service provider is located in a second network.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The first information is obtained by processing the first entity or the first NRF according to the second information of the network function service provider.

27. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The second request also includes fifth information related to the network function service consumer, and the fifth information is obtained by the first entity processing the fourth information of the network function service consumer.

28. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The method further comprises: The network function service provider sends a first message to the first entity.

29. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The network function service provider receives a third request sent by the second entity, where the third request is determined based on the second request sent by the first entity to the second entity, and the second request is determined based on the first request sent by the network function service consumer to the first entity. The first request includes first information related to the network function service provider, and the second request includes third information related to the network function service provider. The third information is information obtained by processing the second information of the network function service provider. The network function service consumer is located in the first network, and the network function service provider is located in the second network.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein The first information is obtained by the second entity through processing according to the second information of the network function service provider.

31. The method according to claim 29, wherein The method further comprises: The network function service provider sends a first message to the second entity.

32. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The second entity receives second information of the network function service provider sent by the second NRF, where the second information is used to determine first information related to the network function service provider.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second entity processes the second information of the network function service provider to obtain third information; The second entity sends the third information to the first entity, and the first entity is configured to process the third information to obtain the first information.

34. The method according to claim 32, wherein The method further comprises: The second entity processes the second information of the network function service provider to obtain the first information; The second entity sends the first information to the first entity.

35. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The second entity receives a second request sent by the first entity, where the second request is determined based on the first request sent by the network function service consumer to the first entity, where the first request includes first information related to the network function service provider, where the first information is information obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer is located in the first network, and the network function service provider is located in the second network; The second entity sends a third request to the network function service provider.

36. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that The first information is obtained by processing the first entity or the first NRF according to the second information of the network function service provider.

37. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that The second request also includes fifth information related to the network function service consumer, and the fifth information is obtained by the first entity processing the fourth information of the network function service consumer.

38. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second entity receives a first message sent by the network function service provider; The second entity sends the first message to the first entity.

39. The method according to claim 35, wherein The method further comprises: The second entity receives the discovery request sent by the first entity; The second entity sends the discovery request to a second NRF, where the second NRF is located in the second network; The second entity receives second information of the network function service provider sent by the second NRF; The second entity processes the second information to obtain third information; The second entity sends the third information to the first entity.

40. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The first NRF sends first information related to the network function service provider to the network function service consumer, where the first information is information obtained by processing the second information of the network function service provider. The network function service consumer is located in the first network, and the network function service provider is located in the second network.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein The first information is obtained by the first entity or the first NRF through processing according to the second information of the network function service provider.

42. The method according to claim 40, wherein The method further comprises: The first NRF sends second information of the network function service provider to the first entity; The first NRF receives the first information sent by the first entity.

43. A first entity, characterized in that include: A transceiver module is used to receive a first request sent by a network function service consumer, where the first request includes first information related to a network function service provider, where the first information is information processed based on second information of the network function service provider, the network function service consumer is located in a first network, and the network function service provider is located in a second network; and to send a second request.

44. A network function service consumer, characterized in that: include: A transceiver module is used to send a first request to a first entity, where the first request includes first information related to a network function service provider, where the first information is information obtained by processing second information of the network function service provider, where the network function service consumer is located in a first network, and where the network function service provider is located in a second network.

45. A network function service provider, characterized in that: include: A transceiver module is used to receive a second request sent by a first entity, where the second request is determined based on a first request sent by a network function service consumer to the first entity, where the first request includes first information related to a network function service provider, where the first information is information obtained by processing the second information of the network function service provider, where the network function service consumer is located in a first network, and where the network function service provider is located in a second network.

46. ​​A network function service provider, characterized in that: include: A transceiver module is used to receive a third request sent by a second entity, where the third request is determined based on a second request sent by the first entity to the second entity, where the second request includes third information related to the network function service provider, and the third information is information obtained by processing the second information of the network function service provider. The network function service consumer is located in the first network, and the network function service provider is located in the second network.

47. A second entity, characterized in that include: The transceiver module is used to receive second information of the network function service provider sent by the second NRF, where the second information is used to determine first information related to the network function service provider.

48. A second entity, characterized in that include: A transceiver module is used to receive a second request sent by a first entity, where the second request is determined based on a first request sent by a network function service consumer to the first entity, where the first request includes first information related to a network function service provider, where the first information is information obtained by processing the second information of the network function service provider, where the network function service consumer is located in a first network, and where the network function service provider is located in a second network; and to send a third request to the network function service provider.

49. A first NRF, characterized in that include: The transceiver module is used to send first information related to the network function service provider to the network function service consumer, where the first information is information obtained by processing the second information of the network function service provider. The network function service consumer is located in the first network, and the network function service provider is located in the second network.

50. A first entity, characterized in that include: one or more processors; The first entity is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

51. A network function service consumer, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The network function service consumer is used to execute the method described in any one of claims 19 to 23.

52. A network function service provider, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The network function service provider is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 24 to 27.

53. A network function service provider, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The network function service provider is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 28 to 30.

54. A second entity, characterized in that include: one or more processors; The second entity is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 31 to 38.

55. A first NRF, characterized in that include: one or more processors; The first NRF is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 39 to 41.

56. A communication system, characterized in that The invention comprises a first entity, a network function service consumer, a network function service provider, a second entity and a first NRF, wherein the first entity is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 1 to 18, the network function service consumer is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 19 to 23, the network function service provider is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 24 to 27, the second entity is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 28 to 30, and the first NRF is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 31 to 38.

57. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, the method according to any one of claims 19 to 23, the method according to any one of claims 24 to 27, the method according to any one of claims 28 to 30, or the method according to any one of claims 31 to 38.

58. A program product, characterized in that include: A computer program which, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, the method according to any one of claims 19 to 23, the method according to any one of claims 24 to 27, the method according to any one of claims 28 to 30, or the method according to any one of claims 31 to 38.

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