Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, applied to the technical field of communications. The method comprises: a first network apparatus determining a first image package from a first set corresponding to a first function, wherein the first set comprises N image packages, at least two image packages among the N image packages have different savepoints, each of the N image packages is used for implementing the first function, and N is an integer greater than 1; and sending a first message to a first computing apparatus executing the first function, the first message instructing the first computing apparatus to obtain the first image package. In embodiments of the present application, image packages having different savepoints have different sizes, which enables adaptation to the transmission capabilities and computing capabilities of different computing apparatuses, enables adaptation to a wireless transmission environment involving collaboration with terminal sides, and facilitates meeting service requirements in scenarios involving collaboration among terminals, edges, and clouds.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] The present application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202410662938.3, filed on May 24, 2024, and entitled "A communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the field of cloud computing technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0004] In the industry, functions (or tasks) after scheduling and arrangement are usually deployed in the form of containers in the cloud and edge network environment, and the corresponding functions are executed. Since the transmission capability of the cloud and edge network environment is strong, the computing capability is mainly considered when scheduling tasks, deploying containers and executing.

[0005] With the development of cloud computing and Internet of Things technology, future application scenarios are becoming more and more complex. In addition to edge and cloud, end-side participation in collaboration is also needed, that is, end, edge and cloud participate in collaboration. In the scenario of end, edge and cloud participating in collaboration, the end communicates with the edge and cloud through a wireless network. Compared with a wired network, the transmission capability of the wireless network is weak and relatively unstable. Therefore, the current method mainly considering computing capability is no longer applicable. SUMMARY

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for selecting a suitable image file package, which can adapt to the transmission capability and computing capability of an algorithmic device, and is beneficial to meet the business requirements in the scenario of end, edge and cloud participating in collaboration.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first network device. The first network device can be a first network equipment, or a device (for example, a communication module, a chip, or a chip system) in the first network equipment, or a functional module capable of realizing part or all functions of the first network equipment. Optionally, the first network equipment can be an edge-side equipment (for example, an access network equipment, etc.), or a cloud-side equipment (for example, a cloud server, or a core network equipment, etc.), etc., which is not limited.

[0008] The method can comprise: determining, by the first network device, a first mirror file package from a first set corresponding to the first function, wherein the first set comprises N mirror file packages, at least two of the N mirror file packages have different save points, each of the N mirror file packages is used to implement the first function, N is an integer greater than 1; and sending a first message to the first computing power device that executes the first function, the first message instructing the first computing power device to obtain the first mirror file package, wherein the first message comprises identification information of the first mirror file package, or the first message comprises identification information of the first mirror file package and information of a save point of the first mirror file package.

[0009] Optionally, the first computing power device can be an end-side device (for example, a first terminal device), or can be an edge-side device (for example, an access network device, etc.), or can be a cloud-side device (for example, a cloud server, or a core network device, etc.), and the like, without limitation.

[0010] In the embodiments of the present application, the first network device selects a first mirror file package that executes the first function from a first set, and at least two of the N mirror file packages included in the first set have different save points. The sizes of the mirror file packages with different save points are different (or the information included in the mirror file packages with different save points is different), which means that the bandwidth required for transmitting the mirror file packages with different save points can be different, and can adapt to different transmission capabilities. The context information included in the mirror file packages with different save points is different, which means that the computing power required for deploying the mirror file packages with different save points can be different, and can adapt to different computing power. Therefore, the embodiments of the present application can select a suitable mirror file package to adapt to the transmission capability and computing power of the computing power device. Further, in the case where the computing power device is a terminal device, the embodiments of the present application can adapt to the wireless transmission environment in the end-side participating in cooperation, which is beneficial to meet the service demand in the end-edge-cloud participating cooperation scenario.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the first mirror file package can be any one of the following: a mirror file package of a first save point, the mirror file package of the first save point being an uninitialization mirror file package. Optionally, the first save point mirror file package does not include context information; or a mirror file package of a second save point, the mirror file package of the second save point being an initialization mirror file package. For example, the size of the mirror file package of the second save point can be greater than the size of the mirror file package of the first save point. Optionally, the second save point mirror file package can include context information, and the context information included in the second save point mirror file package can include environment initialization information; or a mirror file package of a third save point, the mirror file package of the third save point being an initialization mirror file package, and the context information included in the third save point mirror file package is more than the context information included in the second save point mirror file package. For example, the size of the mirror file package of the third save point can be greater than the size of the mirror file package of the second save point. Optionally, the third save point mirror file package can include context information, and the context information included in the third save point mirror file package can include environment initialization information and framework startup information; or a mirror file package of a fourth save point, the mirror file package of the fourth save point being an initialization mirror file package, and the context information included in the fourth save point mirror file package is more than the context information included in the third save point mirror file package. For example, the size of the mirror file package of the fourth save point can be greater than the size of the mirror file package of the third save point. Optionally, the fourth save point mirror file package can include context information, and the context information included in the fourth save point mirror file package can include environment initialization information, framework startup information, and function initialization information.

[0012] Through the above implementation, a plurality of mirror file packages of different save points can be provided. The context information included in the mirror file packages of different save points is different, and the sizes of the mirror file packages of different save points are also different. Therefore, the transmission time delay required for transmitting the mirror file packages of different save points in the same communication environment is different, the time length required for deploying the mirror file packages of different save points on the same computing power device is different, and the required computing power resources can also be different. Thus, a plurality of transmission capabilities and computing capabilities can be adapted, and the implementation is flexible.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the M mirror file packages in the N mirror file packages are all of the same save point, and the M mirror file packages can support different hardware types, where M is an integer greater than 1 and less than N.

[0014] Through the above implementation, there are a plurality of mirror file packages supporting different hardware types for the same save point. Thus, computing power devices supporting different hardware types can be adapted.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the first network device determining the first mirror file package from the first set corresponding to the first function can be: the first network device determining description information of at least one mirror file package in the N mirror file packages, the at least one mirror file package including the first mirror file package, wherein the description information includes identification information of the mirror file package and information of the save point; and determining the first mirror file package according to the description information of the at least one mirror file package.

[0016] Through the above implementation, the first network device can select a suitable mirror file package according to the description information of the mirror file package.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the time score of the first mirror file package can be less than or equal to a first threshold value; and / or, the first mirror file package can be a mirror file package with the lowest time score in the N mirror file packages.

[0018] Through the above implementation, the first mirror file package can be selected from the first set according to the time score, which can be used to measure the processing time delay of the whole (for example, the whole process from the mirror file package transmission to the function execution) when the function is deployed, and the lower the time score, the shorter the processing time delay of the whole. In one way, a mirror file package with a time score less than or equal to a first threshold value in the first set is selected to execute the first function, without traversing all mirror file packages in the first set, which is simple and can reduce the overhead of computing resources. In another way, a mirror file package with the lowest time score in the first set is selected to execute the first function, which means that the processing time delay of the whole when the function is deployed is shorter, which can meet the high time delay requirement of the business.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the time score can be determined by a first time length and a second time length, wherein the first time length can be a time length required for initialization based on the mirror file package, and the second time length can be a time length required for environment recovery or update based on the mirror file package. Different context information included in different mirror file packages makes the time length required for initialization based on different mirror file packages and the time length required for environment recovery or update based on different mirror file packages different. The time length required for initialization and the time length required for environment recovery or update affect the processing time delay of the whole when the function is deployed, so the time score determined by the time length required for initialization and the time length required for environment recovery or update can reflect the processing time delay of the whole when the function is deployed based on different mirror file packages, which is beneficial to selecting a suitable mirror file package.

[0020] In one example, the time score can be determined by the first time length, the second time length, the size of the mirror file package (or the size of the information not transmitted completely in the mirror file package), and the download rate of the mirror file package. For example, the time score can satisfy the following formula:

[0021] time_score = factorA * (image_size / download_rate) + factorB * initial_time + factorC * restore_time;

[0022] Wherein, the time_score is a time score, the factorA, the factorB and the factorC are all predefined calculation factors, the image_size is the size of the mirror file package or the size of the information in the mirror file package which is not transmitted, the download_rate is the download rate of the mirror file package, the initial_time is the first time length, and the restore_time is the second time length.

[0023] Through the above example, the determination of the time score can consider the size of the mirror file package and the download rate of the mirror file package in addition to the first time length and the second time length. The size of the mirror file package and the download rate of the mirror file package can determine the transmission delay of the mirror file package. The transmission delay of different mirror file packages is different under the same communication environment, especially in the wireless communication environment, the transmission delay of different sizes of mirror file packages is obviously different, which can affect the overall processing delay when deploying functions, therefore, the time score determined by the first time length, the second time length and the transmission delay can well reflect the overall processing delay of deploying functions based on different mirror file packages, which is beneficial to selecting a suitable mirror file package. Further, different variables can use the same calculation factor, or different calculation factors can also be used. The calculation factor can represent the proportion of the variable corresponding to the calculation factor. For example, for services with high transmission delay requirements, the calculation factor of the transmission delay can be appropriately increased.

[0024] Another example, the time score can be determined by the first time length, the second time length, the size of the mirror file package (or the size of the information in the mirror file package which is not transmitted), the bandwidth and the signal-to-noise ratio. For example, the time score can satisfy the following formula:

[0025] Wherein, the time_score can be a time score, the factorA, the factorB and the factorC are all predefined calculation factors, the image_size can be the size of the mirror file package or also can be the size of the information in the mirror file package which is not transmitted, the initial_time can be the first time length, the restore_time can be the second time length, the W can be the bandwidth, and the SNR can be the signal-to-noise ratio of the channel.

[0026] Through the above examples, in addition to considering the first time length and the second time length, the determination of the time score can also consider the bandwidth, the size of the mirror file package, and the signal-to-noise ratio. The bandwidth, the size of the mirror file package, and the signal-to-noise ratio can determine the channel state, especially the channel state of the air interface, which can affect the transmission delay of the mirror file package, and further affect the overall processing time length when deploying the function. For example, the channel state of the air interface is better, and the transmission delay of the mirror file package is shorter; the channel state of the air interface is worse, and the transmission delay of the mirror file package is longer. Therefore, the time score determined by the first time length, the second time length, and the channel state can well reflect the overall processing delay of deploying the function based on different mirror file packages, which is beneficial to selecting a suitable mirror file package.

[0027] In another example, the download rate of the mirror file package is greater than or equal to the second threshold, and / or the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than or equal to the third threshold, and the time score can be determined by the first time length and the second time length. For example, the time score can satisfy the following formula: time_score = factorB * initial_time + factorC * restore_time.

[0028] Wherein, time_score can be the time score, factorB and factorC can be predefined calculation factors, initial_time can be the first time length, and restore_time can be the second time length.

[0029] Through the above examples, the download rate of the mirror file package and the signal-to-noise ratio can both affect the transmission delay of the mirror file package. When the transmission delay meets the set condition, the time score is determined by the first time length and the second time length, which not only considers the first time length and the second time length, but also considers the transmission delay. Therefore, the time score can well reflect the overall processing delay of deploying the function based on different mirror file packages, which is beneficial to selecting a suitable mirror file package. In this example, the transmission delay does not need to participate in the calculation of the time score. While considering the transmission delay, the calculation complexity of the time score can be simplified, and the cost of computing resources can be reduced.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the first network device can also determine the first time length and / or the second time length according to the information of the save point; or the description information can further include at least one of the first time length or the second time length.

[0031] By the above implementation manner, the first time length and the second time length can be determined according to the information of the save point, compared to the description information including the first time length and the second time length, the storage resource overhead of the description information can be reduced, generally, the more the information amount is, the more the required transmission resource is, and the greater the transmission delay is, therefore, the required transmission resource and transmission delay of the description information can also be reduced. Alternatively, the first time length and the second time length can also be recorded in the process of making the mirror file package (for example, the time length required for initialization based on the mirror file package is recorded in the process of making the mirror file package, and the time length required for environment recovery or update based on the mirror file package is estimated), and saved in the description information, the first time length and the second time length can be obtained from the description information each time the scheduling is performed, without additional calculation, and the implementation manner is simple.

[0032] In a possible implementation manner, the description information can further include information of a hardware type, so that the hardware type supported by the mirror file package corresponding to the description information can be determined.

[0033] In a possible implementation manner, the first network device determining the description information of the at least one mirror file package in the N mirror file packages can be: the first network device determining a service flowchart of the first service, the service flowchart can include first set information; and determining the description information of the at least one mirror file package according to the first set information. For example, the first set information can include identification information of the first set and / or description information of the N mirror file packages in the first set. For example, the first set information includes the identification information of the first set, and the first network device can obtain the description information of the at least one mirror file package in the N mirror file packages from the third network device according to the identification information of the first set. For another example, the first set information includes the description information of the N mirror file packages, and the first network device can determine the description information of the at least one mirror file package in the N mirror file packages according to the first set information.

[0034] By the above implementation manner, the first network device can determine the description information of the mirror file package corresponding to the first function through the first set information included in the service flowchart of the first service.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the first function can be a second function of the at least one function corresponding to the first service, or the first function can also be a subfunction of the second function of the at least one function corresponding to the first service, where the second function includes at least two subfunctions, the first function belongs to the at least two subfunctions, and the at least two subfunctions are subfunctions obtained by splitting the second function according to complexity of the second function and / or a data type of data corresponding to the second function. For example, the first network device can also split the second function to obtain at least two subfunctions according to complexity of the second function and / or a data type of data corresponding to the second function, the at least two subfunctions include the first function, and the second function is one of the at least one function corresponding to the first service. Optionally, when the first function is a subfunction of the second function, the complexity of the second function can be greater than or equal to a fourth threshold, and / or the data type of data corresponding to the second function can be non-public data.

[0036] Through the implementation, the mirror file package can be taken as a granularity of a complete function, or can also be taken as a granularity of a subfunction of a complete function, and the implementation is flexible. When the mirror file package is taken as a granularity of a subfunction, the complexity of function code of the subfunction is obviously lower than that of a complete function to which the subfunction belongs, and can be adapted to a computing power device with lower computing power. In addition, when the mirror file package is taken as a granularity of a subfunction, the data type of data corresponding to the subfunction can be non-public data, so that the subfunction can be allocated to a computing power device where the non-public data is located, and it can be ensured that the non-public data does not leave the local, and the security of data is beneficial to be ensured.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the first network device can also receive a second message, and the second message can include function code of the at least one function corresponding to the first service and / or information about a save point supported by each function of the at least one function corresponding to the first service. Optionally, the second message can also include information about a hardware type supported by each function of the at least one function.

[0038] Through the implementation, the save point supported by the at least one function and the hardware type supported by the at least one function can be considered when the mirror is made, and user experience can be improved.

[0039] In a possible implementation, during the transmission of the first mirror file package, the first network device can further determine a second mirror file package from the first set, the second mirror file package being a mirror file package of a different save point from the first mirror file package; and send a third message to the first computing power device, the third message instructing the first computing power device to acquire the second mirror file package. Optionally, the first network device can further receive a fourth message from the first computing power device, the fourth message being used to request replacement of the mirror file package implementing the first function.

[0040] Through the above implementation, during the transmission of the first mirror file package, the first network device can actively or in response to the fourth message from the first computing power device reselect the mirror file package implementing the first function, which can adapt to changes in the wireless network (for example, changes in the air interface channel state, for example, the signal-to-noise ratio being higher or lower than a set threshold, etc.).

[0041] In a possible implementation, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and during the transmission of the first mirror file package, the first terminal device switches from a cell provided by the first network device to a cell provided by a second network device; the first network device can further send a fifth message to the second network device, the fifth message including information about the first mirror file package that has not been transmitted, or the fifth message including download status of the first mirror file package, or the fifth message including the download status of the first mirror file package and description information of each mirror file package in the first set, wherein the description information includes identification information of the mirror file package and information of the save point.

[0042] Through the above implementation, the scenario of cell switching of a terminal device in end-side cloud cooperation can be adapted.

[0043] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first computing power device. The first computing power device can be a first computing power device, or a device (for example, a communication module, a chip, or a chip system) in the first computing power device, or a functional module capable of implementing part or all functions of the first computing power device. Optionally, the first computing power device can be an end-side device (for example, a terminal device), or can be a side-side device (for example, an access network device, etc.), or can be a cloud-side device (for example, a cloud server, or a core network device, etc.), etc., without limitation.

[0044] The method can include: the first computing power device receiving a first message from a first network device, the first message instructing acquisition of a first mirror file package, wherein the first mirror file package is used to implement a first function, and the first message includes identification information of the first mirror file package and information of a save point of the first mirror file package; and acquiring the first mirror file package from a third network device according to the first message.

[0045] Optionally, the first computing power device can be an end-side device (e.g., a first terminal device), or can also be an edge-side device (e.g., an access network device, etc.), or can also be a cloud-side device (e.g., a cloud server, or a core network device, etc.), and the like, without limitation.

[0046] In the embodiments of the present application, the first computing power device can receive a first message from the first network device, and obtain a first mirror image file package according to the first message. In addition to including the identification information of the first mirror image file package, the first message also includes the information of the save point of the first mirror image file package, so that the first network device can select an appropriate way to execute the first function according to the save point of the first mirror image file package after obtaining the first mirror image file package. Further, the sizes of the mirror image file packages of different save points are different (or the information included in the mirror image file packages of different save points is different), which means that the bandwidth required for transmitting the mirror image file packages of different save points can be different, which can adapt to different transmission capabilities. The context information included in the mirror image file packages of different save points is different, which means that the computing power required for deploying the mirror image file packages of different save points can be different, which can adapt to different computing capabilities. Therefore, the embodiments of the present application can select appropriate mirror image file packages to adapt to the transmission capability and computing capability of the computing power device. And in the case that the computing power device is a terminal device, the embodiments of the present application can adapt to the wireless transmission environment in the end-side participation in cooperation, which is beneficial to meet the business needs in the end-edge-cloud participation cooperation scenario.

[0047] In a possible implementation manner, the first mirror image file package can be any one of the following: a first save point mirror image file package, the first save point mirror image file package being an un-initialized mirror image file package. Optionally, the first save point mirror image file package does not include context information; or,

[0048] a second save point mirror image file package, the second save point mirror image file package being an initialized mirror image file package. For example, the size of the second save point mirror image file package can be greater than the size of the first save point mirror image file package. Optionally, the second save point mirror image file package can include context information, and the context information included in the second save point mirror image file package can include information of environment initialization; or,

[0049] a third save point mirror image file package, the third save point mirror image file package being an initialized mirror image file package, and the context information included in the third save point mirror image file package being more than the context information included in the second save point mirror image file package. For example, the size of the third save point mirror image file package can be greater than the size of the second save point mirror image file package. Optionally, the third save point mirror image file package can include context information, and the context information included in the third save point mirror image file package can include information of environment initialization and information of framework startup; or,

[0050] The fourth save point mirror image file package is an initialized mirror image file package, and the fourth save point mirror image file package includes more context information than the third save point mirror image file package. For example, the fourth save point mirror image file package can be larger than the third save point mirror image file package. Optionally, the fourth save point mirror image file package can include context information, and the context information included in the fourth save point mirror image file package can include environment initialization information, framework startup information, and function initialization information.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the first computing power device can execute the first function according to the first mirror image file package. For example, the first computing power device can execute the first function according to the first mirror image file package, which can include:

[0052] The first mirror image file package is a first save point mirror image file package, and the first computing power device can execute the first function by the following steps: environment creation, environment initialization, framework startup, function initialization, and function execution; or

[0053] The first mirror image file package is a second save point mirror image file package, and the first computing power device can execute the first function by the following steps: environment creation, environment recovery or update, framework startup, function initialization, and function execution. Optionally, the time required to execute the first function based on the second save point mirror image file package is less than the time required to execute the first function based on the first save point mirror image file package. Optionally, the computing power resources required to execute the first function based on the second save point mirror image file package are not more than the computing power resources required to execute the first function based on the first save point mirror image file package; or

[0054] The first mirror image file package is a third save point mirror image file package, and the first computing power device can execute the first function by the following steps: environment creation, environment recovery or update, function initialization, and function execution. Optionally, the time required to execute the first function based on the third save point mirror image file package is less than the time required to execute the first function based on the second save point mirror image file package. Optionally, the computing power resources required to execute the first function based on the third save point mirror image file package are not more than the computing power resources required to execute the first function based on the second save point mirror image file package; or

[0055] The first mirror file package is a mirror file package of the fourth save point. The first computing power device can execute the first function through the following steps: environment creation, environment recovery or update, and function execution. Optionally, a time length required for executing the first function based on the mirror file package of the fourth save point is less than a time length required for supporting the first function based on the mirror file package of the third save point. Optionally, a computing power resource required for executing the first function based on the mirror file package of the fourth save point is not more than a computing power resource required for supporting the first function based on the mirror file package of the third save point.

[0056] Through the above implementation manner, the first computing power device can execute the first function in different ways for different mirror file packages of save points.

[0057] In a possible implementation manner, during transmission of the first mirror file package, the first computing power device can further receive a third message from the first network device, the third message indicating to acquire a second mirror file package, the second mirror file package being used to implement the first function, and the second mirror file being a mirror file package of a different save point from the first mirror file package; and acquiring the second mirror file package from the third network device according to the third message. Exemplarily, the first computing power device can further send a fourth message to the first network device, the fourth message being used to request to replace the mirror file package used to implement the first function.

[0058] Through the above implementation manner, during transmission of the first mirror file package, a suitable mirror file package can be reselected to adapt to changes in a communication environment, especially changes in a wireless communication environment, so as to ensure that a processing time delay is short during function deployment, and to facilitate meeting a high time delay requirement. For example, the first mirror file package is a non-initialized mirror file package, and a time length occupied by executing the first function based on the non-initialized mirror file package accounts for a large proportion in the entire deployment process. During transmission of the first mirror file package, a state of an air interface channel becomes good, and an initialized mirror file package can be selected to reduce a time length required for executing the first function, thereby shortening a time length required for the entire deployment process. For another example, the first mirror file package is an initialized mirror file package. During transmission of the first mirror file package, the state of the air interface channel becomes poor, and a transmission time delay of the initialized mirror file package accounts for a large proportion in the entire deployment process. A non-initialized mirror file package can be selected to reduce the transmission time delay of the first mirror file package, thereby shortening the time length required for the entire deployment process.

[0059] In another possible implementation, during the transmission of the first image file package, the first computing power device can further determine a third image file from the first set of first functions corresponding to the first function, the third image file being used to implement the first function, and the third image file package and the first image file package being image file packages of different save points, wherein the first set includes N image file packages, at least two of the N image file packages have different save points, each of the N image file packages is used to implement the first function, and N is an integer greater than 1; and the third image file package is acquired from the third network device.

[0060] Through the above implementation, during the transmission of the first image file package, the first network device can reselect a suitable image file package, which can reduce the computing power resource consumption of the first computing power device. Alternatively, the first computing power device itself can also reselect a suitable image file package without the participation of the first network device, which can reduce the signaling interaction between the first computing power device and the first network device and enable the first computing power device to acquire a new image file package as soon as possible.

[0061] In a possible implementation, the first image file package belongs to a first set of first functions corresponding to the first function, wherein the first set includes N image file packages, at least two of the N image file packages have different save points, each of the N image file packages is used to implement the first function, and N is an integer greater than 1.

[0062] In a possible implementation, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and during the transmission of the first image file package, the first terminal device switches from a cell provided by the first network device to a cell provided by a second network device; the first computing power device can further receive information that is not transmitted in the first image file package from the second network device.

[0063] In another possible implementation, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and during the transmission of the first image file package, the first terminal device switches from a cell provided by the first network device to a cell provided by a second network device; the first computing power device can further receive a sixth message from the second network device, the sixth message indicating to acquire a fourth image file package, the fourth image file package being used to implement the first function, the fourth image file and the first image file package being image file packages of different save points; and the fourth image file package is acquired from a third network device according to the sixth message.

[0064] The technical effects that can be achieved by any of the possible implementations of the second aspect described above are the same as the technical effects that can be achieved by any of the possible implementations of the first aspect described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0065] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a fourth network device. The fourth network device can be a fourth network equipment, or a device (e.g., a communication module, a chip, or a chip system) in the fourth network equipment, or a functional module capable of implementing part or all functions of the fourth network equipment. Optionally, the fourth network equipment can be an edge-side device (e.g., an access network device, etc.), or a cloud-side device (e.g., a cloud server, or a core network device, etc.), etc., without limitation.

[0066] The method can include: obtaining, by the fourth network device, a first set according to a function code of the first function, the first set including N image file packages, at least two of the N image file packages having different save points, each of the N image file packages being used to implement the first function, and N being an integer greater than 1; and sending the first set to the third network device.

[0067] In the embodiments of the present application, the fourth network device can generate N image file packages according to the function code of the first function, at least two of the N image file packages having different save points. The image file packages with different save points have different sizes (or different information), which means that the bandwidth required for transmitting the image file packages with different save points can be different, and can adapt to different transmission capabilities. The image file packages with different save points include different context information, which means that the computing power required for deploying the image file packages with different save points can be different, and can adapt to different computing capabilities. Therefore, the embodiments of the present application can select appropriate image file packages to adapt to the transmission capability and computing capability of the computing power device. Further, in the case that the computing power device is a terminal device, the embodiments of the present application can adapt to the wireless transmission environment in the end-side participation in cooperation, which is beneficial to meet the service demand in the end-edge-cloud participation in cooperation scenario.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the N image file packages can include at least two of the following: an image file package of a first save point, the image file package of the first save point being an un-initialized image file package. Optionally, the image file package of the first save point does not include context information; or an image file package of a second save point, the image file package of the second save point being an initialized image file package. For example, the size of the image file package of the second save point can be greater than the size of the image file package of the first save point. Optionally, the image file package of the second save point can include context information, and the context information included in the image file package of the second save point can include information about environment initialization; or an image file package of a third save point, the image file package of the third save point being an initialized image file package, and the context information included in the image file package of the third save point being more than the context information included in the image file package of the second save point. For example, the size of the image file package of the third save point can be greater than the size of the image file package of the second save point. Optionally, the image file package of the third save point can include context information, and the context information included in the image file package of the third save point can include information about environment initialization and framework startup; or an image file package of a fourth save point, the image file package of the fourth save point being an initialized image file package, and the context information included in the image file package of the fourth save point being more than the context information included in the image file package of the third save point. For example, the size of the image file package of the fourth save point can be greater than the size of the image file package of the third save point. Optionally, the image file package of the fourth save point can include context information, and the context information included in the image file package of the fourth save point can include information about environment initialization, framework startup, and function initialization.

[0069] In a possible implementation, M image file packages in the N image file packages are of the same save point, the M image file packages can support different hardware types, and M is an integer greater than 1 and less than N.

[0070] In a possible implementation, the first function can be a second function in at least one function corresponding to the first service, or the first function can also be a sub-function of the second function in the at least one function corresponding to the first service. The second function is one of the at least one function corresponding to the first service.

[0071] In a possible implementation, the fourth network device can further split the second function according to complexity of the second function and / or a data type of data corresponding to the second function to obtain at least two sub-functions, and the at least two sub-functions include the first function. Optionally, the complexity of the second function can be greater than or equal to a fourth threshold value, and / or the data type of the data corresponding to the second function can be non-public data.

[0072] The technical effects achieved by the possible implementation manners of any one of the third aspect can refer to the technical effects achieved by the possible implementation manners of any one of the first aspect, which will not be repeated.

[0073] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which can be used to execute the method described in the first aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof. The communication device can be, for example, the first network device.

[0074] In a possible implementation manner, the communication device can include a module or unit corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect, which can be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software. Illustratively, the communication device can include a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit) and a transceiver module (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver unit). The transceiver module can implement the sending function and the receiving function. When the transceiver module implements the sending function, it can be referred to as a sending module (sometimes also referred to as a sending unit). When the transceiver module implements the receiving function, it can be referred to as a receiving module (sometimes also referred to as a receiving unit). The sending module and the receiving module can be the same functional module, which is referred to as the transceiver module, and the transceiver module can implement the sending function and the receiving function. Alternatively, the sending module and the receiving module can be different functional modules, and the transceiver module refers to these functional modules in general.

[0075] In a possible implementation manner, the communication device can include a baseband device and / or a radio frequency device.

[0076] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which can be used to execute the method described in the second aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof. The communication device can be, for example, the first computing power device.

[0077] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include modules or units respectively corresponding to the method / operation / step / action described in the second aspect, which can be hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software. Illustratively, the communication apparatus can include a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit) and a transceiver module (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver unit). The transceiver module can implement the sending function and the receiving function, and when the transceiver module implements the sending function, it can be referred to as a sending module (sometimes also referred to as a sending unit), and when the transceiver module implements the receiving function, it can be referred to as a receiving module (sometimes also referred to as a receiving unit). The sending module and the receiving module can be the same functional module, which is referred to as the transceiver module, and the functional module can implement the sending function and the receiving function; or the sending module and the receiving module can be different functional modules, and the transceiver module is a general term for these functional modules.

[0078] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a baseband apparatus and / or a radio frequency apparatus.

[0079] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a baseband apparatus and / or a radio frequency apparatus.

[0080] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include modules or units respectively corresponding to the method / operation / step / action described in the second aspect, which can be hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software. Illustratively, the communication apparatus can include a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit) and a transceiver module (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver unit). The transceiver module can implement the sending function and the receiving function, and when the transceiver module implements the sending function, it can be referred to as a sending module (sometimes also referred to as a sending unit), and when the transceiver module implements the receiving function, it can be referred to as a receiving module (sometimes also referred to as a receiving unit). The sending module and the receiving module can be the same functional module, which is referred to as the transceiver module, and the functional module can implement the sending function and the receiving function; or the sending module and the receiving module can be different functional modules, and the transceiver module is a general term for these functional modules.

[0081] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a baseband apparatus and a radio frequency apparatus.

[0082] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus. The communication apparatus can include one or more processors. Optionally, the communication apparatus can further include a memory. The memory can be configured to store one or more computer programs or instructions. The one or more processors can be configured to execute the method described in any one of the first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof by running the one or more computer programs or instructions stored in the memory and / or by logic circuitry.

[0083] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication system. The communication system can include at least one of the communication apparatus described in the fourth aspect, the communication apparatus described in the fifth aspect, or the communication apparatus described in the sixth aspect.

[0084] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium configured to store computer programs or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the method described in any one of the first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof to be implemented.

[0085] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product including computer programs, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method described in any one of the first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0086] The technical effects achieved by the fourth aspect to the tenth aspect and any possible implementation thereof can refer to the technical effects achieved by the first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0087] FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an end-to-end cloud suitable for the embodiments of the present application;

[0088] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a first communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0089] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of multiple save points provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0090] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of selecting a first mirror file package provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0091] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of description information provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0092] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of implementing a first function by mirror file packages of different save points provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0093] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a second communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a third communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0096] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a fourth communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0097] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a fifth communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0098] FIG. 12 is another flow diagram of the fifth communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0099] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a sixth communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0100] FIG. 14 is another flow diagram of the sixth communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0101] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of another communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of another communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0104] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0105] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. It can be known by those skilled in the art that, with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0106] The “multiple” in the embodiments of the present application can refer to two or more than two. Therefore, the “multiple” in the embodiments of the present application can also be understood as “at least two”. “At least one” can be understood as one or more, for example, one, two or more. For example, “including at least one” means including one, two or more, for example, including at least one of A, B and C, which can include A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B and C. “And / or” describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which can exist in three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. In addition, the character “ / ”, if not specially stated, generally represents an “or” relationship between the front and rear associated objects.

[0107] In addition, the terms “system” and “network” in the embodiments of the present application can be used interchangeably, and “according to” and “based on” can be used interchangeably.

[0108] The ordinal numbers “first”, “second” and the like mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are generally used to distinguish different objects, and are not used to limit the order, time sequence, priority or importance of multiple objects. For example, the first terminal device and the second terminal device in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish two terminal devices, and do not limit the priority or importance of the two terminal devices.

[0109] The embodiments of the present application will be presented around a system including multiple devices, components, modules and the like. It should be understood that the system can include other devices, components, modules and the like not mentioned, or can only include part of the devices, components or modules mentioned in the embodiments.

[0110] Please refer to FIG. 1, which shows a network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the edge-cloud-end distributed network is composed of cloud, edge and end. The edge can connect the cloud and the end together to realize high-speed transmission and collaborative processing of data. The edge and the end can communicate with each other through wireless and / or wired means, which is not limited. The cloud and the edge can communicate with each other through wireless and / or wired means, which is not limited. The edge and the edge can communicate with each other through wireless and / or wired means, which is not limited. The cloud and the cloud can communicate with each other through wireless and / or wired means, which is not limited.

[0111] Among them, the cloud can be understood as a node that provides cloud computing, cloud storage, cloud application and other cloud resources. Alternatively, the cloud can also be understood as a core network device deployed on the core network side that can provide computing power resources, for example, a core network cloud.

[0112] The edge can be understood as an edge node of a network edge, a mobile edge, or an Internet of Things edge, for example, an access network device or a computing node or computing cluster deployed on the edge side, which can provide certain computing power resources.

[0113] By way of example, the access network device is a network-side device with wireless transceiving functions, for example, an apparatus in a radio access network (RAN) that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices, referred to as a RAN device or a RAN node. In one example, the RAN can be an access network in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), for example, a 4th generation (4G) network, a 5th generation (5G) network (for example, a new radio (NR) network), or a future-oriented network. In another example, the RAN can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a communication network of two or more of the above networks.

[0114] Optionally, the RAN device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, an access node in a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, a wireless relay node, or a wireless backhaul node, and the like. Optionally, the base station can be a ground base station, or can also be a non-ground base station, for example, a satellite, or a temporarily deployed unmanned aerial vehicle base station, and the like.

[0115] Optionally, the RAN device can also be a module or unit that completes the function of the base station part, for example, can be a central unit (CU), can also be a distributed unit (DU), and can also be a radio unit (RU). The CU here completes the function of the radio resource control protocol and the packet data convergence layer protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and can also complete the function of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); the DU completes the function of the radio link control layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and can also complete the function of part of the physical layer or the entire physical layer. For specific descriptions of the above-mentioned various protocol layers, refer to the related technical specifications of 3GPP. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can also be included in the same network element, for example, in the baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in the radio frequency device or the radio frequency unit, for example, included in the remote radio unit (RRU), the active antenna processing unit (AAU), or the remote radio head (RRH). In different systems, the CU, the DU or the RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as O-DU, and the RU can also be referred to as O-RU. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), the DU and the RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module. The RAN device can be a macro base station, or a micro base station or an indoor station, and can also be a relay node or a donor node, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the RAN device.

[0116] The terminal can be a terminal device, which is a user-side device with wireless transceiving function. For example, the terminal device can generate data and provide data support for the cloud. In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can provide certain computing power resources. For example, the terminal device can be a computing power node. The computing power node can also be referred to as a computing power device, or a computing node, or a computing device, etc., without limitation.

[0117] Exemplarily, the terminal device can also be referred to as terminal apparatus, terminal, user equipment (UE), user terminal, user apparatus, subscriber unit, subscriber station, access terminal, access station, UE station, remote station, wireless communication device, mobile station (MS), or mobile terminal (MT), etc. For example, the terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, smart glasses, etc.), a vehicle-mounted device (e.g., a car, a bicycle, an electric vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a high-speed rail, etc.), a satellite terminal, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a light UE, a reduced capability UE (REDCAP UE), a wireless terminal in industrial control, a smart home device (e.g., a refrigerator, a television, an air conditioner, an electricity meter, etc.), a wireless terminal in machine to machine (M2M) or machine-type communication (MTC), a wireless terminal in internet of things (IoT), a smart robot, a mechanical arm, a plant device, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, or a wireless terminal in smart home, a flight device (e.g., a smart robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), etc. The terminal device can also be a vehicle apparatus, e.g., a whole vehicle apparatus, a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted chip, an on board unit (OBU), or a telematics box (T-BOX), etc. The terminal device can also be other devices with terminal functions. For example, the terminal device can also be a device in device-to-device (D2D) communication.

[0118] It should be noted that the network architecture described in the embodiments of the present application is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0119] The industry usually deploys the scheduled functions (or tasks) in the form of containers in the cloud, edge network environment, and performs the corresponding functions. This process mainly includes the following steps: 1) image making, image making of the function code of at least one function corresponding to a business to obtain at least one image file package, and at least one function corresponding to at least one image file package; 2) task scheduling, based on the network state of the cloud, edge and the resource requirements of the task, etc., to allocate appropriate computing power devices for each function; 3) container deployment and execution, based on the scheduling result, deploying the container corresponding to the function on the allocated computing power device, and relying on the image file package corresponding to the function when deploying. In the cloud, edge network environment, the transmission between the cloud and the edge is usually through a wired network, and the transmission rate between the computing power devices is high and relatively fixed, so the computing power of the computing power device is mainly considered when scheduling tasks, deploying containers and executing.

[0120] With the development of cloud computing and Internet of Things technology, future application scenarios are becoming more and more complex, and in addition to edge and cloud, end-side participation in cooperation may be required, that is, end, edge and cloud participate in cooperation. In the scenario of end, edge and cloud participating in cooperation, the end communicates with the edge and the cloud through a wireless network, and compared with a wired network, the transmission capacity of the wireless network is weak and relatively unstable, so the current method mainly considering the computing power is no longer applicable.

[0121] In view of this, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and device for selecting a suitable image file package to adapt to the transmission capacity and computing capacity of the computing power device, which is beneficial to meet the business requirements in the end, edge and cloud participating in cooperation scenario. The method and device described in the present application are based on the same technical concept, and the implementation of the device and the method can be mutually referred to, and the repeated parts will not be described again.

[0122] Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a flowchart of a first communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The method can be applied to the network architecture shown in FIG. 1, without limitation. In the first communication method, the interaction between the first network device and the first computing power device is taken as an example for illustration.

[0123] The first network device can also be referred to as a first communication device, and the like. The naming of the first network device is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The first network device can be used to select a suitable mirror file package for a certain function. In the absence of special description, the first network device can be a first network equipment, or a device (for example, a communication module, a chip, or a chip system) in the first network equipment, or a functional module capable of implementing part or all of the functions of the first network equipment. Alternatively, the first network equipment can be a cloud-side device, or can also be an edge-side device, which is not limited. For example, the first network equipment can be a cloud server, or an access network equipment, or a mobile edge computing (MEC) equipment, or a core network equipment, and the like. The implementation form of the first network equipment is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0124] The first computing power device can also be referred to as a first computing device, and the like. The naming of the first computing power device is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The first computing power device can be used to provide computing power resources. In the absence of special description, the first computing power device can be a first computing power equipment, or a device (for example, a communication module, a chip, or a chip system) in the first computing power equipment, or a functional module capable of implementing part or all of the functions of the first computing power equipment. Alternatively, the first computing power equipment can be a cloud-side device, or can also be an edge-side device, or can also be an end-side device, which is not limited. For example, the first computing power equipment can be a cloud server, or an access network equipment, or a MEC equipment, or a core network equipment, or a terminal equipment, and the like. The implementation form of the first computing power equipment is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 2, the first communication method can include the following contents.

[0126] S201: The first network device determines a first mirror file package from a first set corresponding to a first function.

[0127] The first set can include a plurality of image file packages, for example, denoted as N image file packages, N being an integer greater than 1. Exemplarily, the first set can also be referred to as an image file package list, or also referred to as an image list, etc., and the naming of the first set is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Each of the N image file packages can be used to implement (or deploy, or execute) a first function, or expressed as: each of the N image file packages is an image file package corresponding to the first function. The first function can be one complete function in at least one function corresponding to a first service (for example, denoted as a second function, that is, the second function is one complete function in at least one function corresponding to the first service, and the first function is the second function); or the first function can also be a sub-function of the second function, which is not limited. For example, the second function can include at least two sub-functions, the first function belongs to the at least two sub-functions, and the at least two sub-functions are obtained by splitting (for example, splitting the function code of the second function) the second function according to the complexity of the second function and / or the data type of data corresponding to the second function.

[0128] For example, the first service can be an image recognition service, the image recognition service corresponds to function 1, and the function 1 mainly corresponds to the following steps: image preprocessing; and performing image recognition by taking the data obtained by image preprocessing as the input of an artificial intelligence (AI) model. The function 1 can be split into two sub-functions, denoted as sub-function 1-1 and sub-function 1-2, wherein the sub-function 1 mainly implements image preprocessing, and the sub-function 2 mainly performs image recognition based on the AI model.

[0129] For another example, the first service is a product automatic detection service, the service corresponds to function 2, and the function 2 mainly corresponds to the following steps: detecting whether a product has a defect based on an AI model, and marking the product with a defect. The function 2 can be split into two sub-functions, denoted as sub-function 2-1 and sub-function 2-2, wherein the sub-function 2-1 mainly implements product defect detection, and the sub-function 2-2 mainly implements marking the product with a defect.

[0130] Exemplarily, the first service can also be an authentication, access service, etc. provided by a communication network, which can be implemented by one or more functions. The implementation form of the first service and the function corresponding to the first service is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0131] In the embodiments of the present application, at least two image file packages in the N image file packages are different in save points, or expressed as: at least two image file packages in the first set are different in save points.

[0132] Exemplarily, the embodiment of the present application provides a plurality of mirror image file packages of the save points, as shown in FIG. 3. Four save points (denoted as the first save point, the second save point, the third save point and the fourth save point respectively) are taken as an example in FIG. 3. Correspondingly, the first mirror image file package can be any one of the plurality of mirror image file packages of the save points; or in other words, the first set can include the mirror image file packages of at least two save points in the plurality of save points, and the first mirror image file package is one of the mirror image file packages of the at least two save points. The mirror image files of the plurality of save points are introduced below.

[0133] (1) The mirror image file package of the first save point.

[0134] The mirror image file package of the first save point can be understood as an uninitialization mirror image file package. Optionally, the mirror image file package of the first save point can not include context information. For example, the mirror image file package of the first save point can be obtained by directly mirroring the function code of the first function. For example, the fourth network device can directly mirror the function code of the first function to obtain the mirror image file package of the first save point. For example, the fourth network device can mirror the function code of the first function by using a container or an application container engine file (for example, dockerfile) to obtain the mirror image file package of the first save point.

[0135] Optionally, the uninitialization mirror image file package can include function code and dependent libraries of the function code.

[0136] (2) The mirror image file package of the second save point.

[0137] The mirror image file package of the second save point can be understood as an initialization mirror image file package. The size of the mirror image file package of the second save point is greater than the size of the mirror image file package of the first save point. Correspondingly, under the same communication environment (for example, the same air interface channel state or the same channel quality), the transmission delay of the mirror image file package of the second save point is greater than the transmission delay of the mirror image file package of the first save point. Generally, for the same function, the larger the size of the mirror image file package, the more information the mirror image file package includes, and the less time is required for deployment. Therefore, the time required for deploying (or executing or implementing) the first function based on the mirror image file package of the second save point is less than the time required for deploying the first function based on the mirror image file package of the first save point. Optionally, for the same function, the larger the size of the mirror image file package, the more information the mirror image file package includes, and the less computing resources are required for deployment. The computing resources required for deploying (or executing or implementing) the first function based on the mirror image file package of the second save point are not more than (or not greater than) the computing resources required for deploying the first function based on the mirror image file package of the first save point.

[0138] Optionally, the mirror file package of the second save point can include file context information. For example, the context information included in the mirror file package of the second save point can include information of environment initialization. Illustratively, the mirror file package of the second save point can be a mirror file package obtained by creating a first execution unit according to the function code of the first function and mirroring. Wherein, creating the first execution unit can include environment creation (e.g., creation of the first execution unit and / or start of the first execution unit, etc.) and environment initialization (e.g., initialization of the runtime, and loading of the non-initialized mirror file package into the first execution unit, etc.). For example, the fourth network device can create the first execution unit (i.e., environment creation and environment initialization) according to the function code of the first function, and perform mirroring to obtain the mirror file package of the second save point. For example, the fourth network device can first create the first execution unit according to the function code of the first function, then save the context information, and generate an initialized snapshot mirror file package, i.e., obtain the mirror file package of the second save point.

[0139] (3) Mirror file package of the third save point.

[0140] The mirror file package of the third save point can be understood as an initialized mirror file package. The size of the mirror file package of the third save point is greater than the size of the mirror file package of the second save point. Accordingly, under the same communication environment, the transmission delay of the mirror file package of the third save point is greater than the transmission delay of the mirror file package of the second save point. Generally, for the same function, the larger the size of the mirror file package, the more information the mirror file package includes, and the less computing resources required for deployment. Therefore, the time required for deploying the first function based on the mirror file package of the third save point is less than the time required for deploying the first function based on the mirror file package of the second save point. Optionally, for the same function, the larger the size of the mirror file package, the more information the mirror file package includes, and the less computing resources required for deployment. The computing resources required for deploying the first function based on the mirror file package of the third save point is not more than the computing resources required for deploying the first function based on the mirror file package of the second save point.

[0141] Optionally, the mirror file package of the third save point can include context information. For example, the context information included in the mirror file package of the third save point can include information of environment initialization and information of framework startup. Illustratively, the mirror file package of the third save point can be a mirror file package obtained by creating a second execution unit according to the function code of the first function and mirroring. Wherein, creating the second execution unit can include environment creation (e.g., creation of the second execution unit and / or startup of the second execution unit, etc.), environment initialization (e.g., initialization of the runtime, and loading of the mirror file package without initialization into the second execution unit, etc.), and framework startup (e.g., startup of the application framework corresponding to the first function, etc.). For example, the fourth network device can create a second execution unit according to the function code of the first function (i.e., environment creation, environment initialization, and framework startup), and perform mirroring to obtain the mirror file package of the third save point. For example, the fourth network device can first create a second execution unit according to the function code of the first function, then save the context information, and generate a snapshot mirror file package with initialization, i.e., obtain the mirror file package of the third save point.

[0142] (4) Mirror file package of the fourth save point.

[0143] The mirror file package of the fourth save point can be understood as a mirror file package with initialization. The size of the mirror file package of the fourth save point is greater than the size of the mirror file package of the third save point. Accordingly, under the same communication environment, the transmission delay of the mirror file package of the fourth save point is greater than the transmission delay of the mirror file package of the third save point. Generally, for the same function, the larger the size of the mirror file package, the more information the mirror file package includes, and the less computing resources required for deployment. Therefore, the time required for deploying the first function based on the mirror file package of the fourth save point is less than the time required for deploying the first function based on the mirror file package of the third save point. Optionally, for the same function, the larger the size of the mirror file package, the more information the mirror file package includes, and the less computing resources required for deployment. The computing resources required for deploying the first function based on the mirror file package of the fourth save point is not more than the computing resources required for deploying the first function based on the mirror file package of the third save point.

[0144] Optionally, the mirror file package of the fourth save point can include context information. For example, the context information included in the mirror file package of the fourth save point can include information of environment initialization, information of framework startup, and information of function initialization. Illustratively, the mirror file package of the fourth save point can be a mirror file package obtained by creating a third execution unit according to the function code of the first function, wherein the creation of the third execution unit can include environment creation (for example, creation of the third execution unit and / or startup of the third execution unit, etc.), environment initialization (for example, runtime initialization, and loading of the mirror file package without initialization into the third execution unit, etc.), framework startup (for example, startup of the application framework corresponding to the first function, etc.), and function initialization (for example, initialization of related parameters of the first function before execution of the first function, such as weight loading and preprocessing for artificial intelligence (AI) type services, etc.). For example, the fourth network device can create a third execution unit according to the function code of the first function (i.e., environment creation, environment initialization, framework startup, and function initialization), and perform mirroring to obtain the mirror file package of the fourth save point. For example, the fourth network device can first create a third execution unit according to the function code of the first function, and then save the context information to generate a snapshot mirror file package with initialization, i.e., obtain the mirror file package of the fourth save point.

[0145] Optionally, the mirror file package with initialization can include at least one of the following: process attributes (for example, process identification, running state, etc.), memory (for example, initialized context information, etc.), process file descriptors (for example, the process file descriptor corresponds to a file pointer, and the file pointer points to an actual address), network configuration information, process pipeline parameters (for example, CPU parameters, memory parameters, etc.), program codes to be executed, or executable files corresponding to dependencies.

[0146] In the implementation of the present application, a plurality of mirror file packages of save points can be provided, the context information included in the mirror file packages of different save points is different, and the sizes of the mirror file packages of different save points are also different, so that the transmission time delay required for transmitting the mirror file packages of different save points under the same communication environment is different, and the time required for deploying the mirror file packages of different save points on the same computing power device is different, and the required computing power resources can also be different, thereby adapting to various transmission capabilities and computing capabilities, and the implementation is flexible.

[0147] The fourth network device can be used for mirroring, for example, providing a mirroring function. Without special description, the fourth network device can be a fourth network equipment, or a device (for example, a communication module, a chip, or a chip system) in the fourth network equipment, or a functional module capable of implementing part or all functions of the fourth network equipment. Alternatively, the fourth network equipment can be a cloud-side device, or can also be an edge-side device, without limitation. For example, the fourth network equipment can be a cloud server, or an access network equipment, or a MEC equipment, or a core network equipment, etc., and the implementation form of the fourth network equipment is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Alternatively, the fourth network device can be the first network device, and has the functions of the first network device; or can also be another network device other than the first network device, without limitation.

[0148] In an embodiment, M image file packages in the N image file packages are all of the same save point, and the M image file packages support different hardware types. Wherein, M can be an integer greater than 1 and less than N. The hardware type supported by the image file package can be understood as the hardware environment for generating the image file package. For example, the hardware type can include at least one of the following: central processing unit (CPU) (for example, can be further divided into X86 type CPU and advanced reduced instruction set computer machine (ARM) type CPU, etc., without limitation), graphics processing unit (GPU), or special-purpose processor, etc., without limitation. For example, the N image file packages can include image file package 1 of the first save point, image file package 2 of the first save point, image file package 1 of the second save point, and image file package 2 of the second save point. Wherein, the image file package 1 of the first save point and the image file package 2 of the second save point both support GPU, and the image file package 2 of the first save point and the image file package 2 of the second save point both support special-purpose processor. Through this embodiment, multiple image file packages supporting different hardware types can exist under the same save point, which can adapt to computing power devices supporting different hardware types.

[0149] In S201, the first network device can determine the first mirror file package from the first set. For example, the first network device can determine the first mirror file package performing the first function from the N mirror file packages. In one possible implementation, the first network device can determine the description information of at least one mirror file package of the N mirror file packages, and determine the first mirror file package according to the description information of the at least one mirror file package. The description information can include the identification information of the mirror file package and the information of the save point. Optionally, the description information can be generated in the process of making the mirror file package, which is not limited. The identification information of the mirror file package can uniquely identify the mirror file package. For example, the identification information of the mirror file package can include at least one of the following: the name of the mirror file package, or the version, etc. The information of the save point can be used to indicate the save point of the mirror file package. Optionally, the description information can further include the information of the first function. Optionally, the description information can further include the size of the mirror file package. Optionally, the description information can further include the information of the hardware type.

[0150] In one implementation, the first network device can determine the first mirror file package according to the save point of the at least one mirror file package and the channel state (or network state, etc.). For example, when the channel state is poor, the first network device can select the mirror file package of the first save point or the second save point to perform the first function. For another example, when the channel state is good, the first network device can select the mirror file package of the fourth save point or the third save point to perform the first function. The good or bad of the channel state can be determined by setting a threshold, which is not limited.

[0151] In another implementation, the first network device can determine the time score of the at least one mirror file package according to the description information of the at least one mirror file package, and select one mirror file package (i.e. the first mirror file package) to perform the first function according to the time score of the at least one mirror file package, as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates an example of N mirror file packages.

[0152] In one example, the time score of the first mirror file package can be less than or equal to a first threshold. The first threshold can be configured by the network side, or can be predefined, which is not limited. For example, the first network device can determine the time score of the at least one mirror file package according to the description information of the at least one mirror file package of the N mirror file packages, and select the mirror file package with the time score less than or equal to the first threshold to perform (or deploy) the first function.

[0153] For example, the N image file packages are image file package 1, image file package 2, image file package 3, and image file package 4. The first network device determines, according to the description information of the image file package 1, that the time score of the image file package 1 is time score 1, which is greater than the first threshold value. According to the description information of the image file package 2, the time score of the image file package 2 is time score 2, which is greater than the first threshold value. According to the description information of the image file package 3, the time score of the image file package 3 is time score 3, which is less than the first threshold value. Therefore, the image file package 3 is selected to perform the first function, that is, the image file package 3 is determined as the first image file package.

[0154] In the above example, the first image file package is selected from the first set according to the time score, which can be used to measure the processing delay of the whole process (for example, the whole process from the transmission of the image file package to the execution of the function). The lower the time score, the shorter the overall processing delay. In the above example, the image file package with a time score less than or equal to the first threshold value in the first set is selected to perform the first function, without traversing all the image file packages in the first set. The implementation is simple and can reduce the cost of computing resources.

[0155] In another example, the time score of the first image file package can be the image file package with the lowest time score among the N image file packages. For example, the first network device can determine the time scores of the N image file packages according to the description information of the N image file packages, and select the image file package with the lowest time score among the N image file packages to deploy the first function.

[0156] For example, the N image file packages are image file package 1, image file package 2, image file package 3, and image file package 4. The first network device determines, according to the description information of the image file package 1, that the time score of the image file package 1 is time score 1. According to the description information of the image file package 2, the time score of the image file package 2 is time score 2. According to the description information of the image file package 3, the time score of the image file package 3 is time score 3. According to the description information of the image file package 4, the time score of the image file package 4 is time score 4. Assuming that time score 1 is less than time score 2, time score 2 is less than time score 3, and time score 3 is less than time score 4, the first network device selects the image file package 1 to perform the first function according to time score 1, time score 2, time score 3, and time score 4, that is, the image file package 1 is determined as the first image file package.

[0157] In the above example, the first image file package is selected from the first set according to a time score, which can be used to measure the overall processing delay during function deployment (e.g., the entire process from image file package transmission to function execution), and the lower the time score, the shorter the overall processing delay. In the above example, the image file package with the lowest time score in the first set is selected to execute the first function, which means that the overall processing delay during function deployment is shorter and can meet the high latency requirement of the business.

[0158] In another example, the time score of the first image file package is less than or equal to a first threshold, and the time score of the first image file package can be the lowest among the N image file packages. For details, refer to the description of the above two examples, which will not be repeated here.

[0159] In the embodiments of the present application, the first image file package is selected by the parameter "time score". In one embodiment, the time score can be determined by a first time length and a second time length. The first time length can be understood as the time length required for initialization based on the image file package. The second time length can be understood as the time length required for environment recovery or update based on the image file package. Different context information included in different image file packages makes the time length required for initialization based on different image file packages and the time length required for environment recovery or update based on different image file packages different. The time length required for initialization and the time length required for environment recovery or update affect the overall processing delay during function deployment, so the time score determined by the time length required for initialization and the time length required for environment recovery or update can reflect the overall processing delay during function deployment based on different image file packages, which is beneficial for selecting a suitable image file package.

[0160] Exemplarily, the embodiments of the present application provide various implementation modes of the time score, which are as follows.

[0161] Implementation mode 1: The time score can be determined by the first time length, the second time length, the size of the image file package (or the size of the information not transmitted in the image file package) and the download rate of the image file package. Taking the first image file package as an example, the first network device can determine the time score of the first image file package according to the first time length corresponding to the first image file package, the second time length corresponding to the first image file package, the size of the first image file package and the download rate of the first image file package.

[0162] The first time length can be understood as a time length required for initialization based on the image file package. In one example, the first time length can be determined by a save point of the image file package. For example, the first network device can determine the first time length according to information of the save point in the description information. For example, the first network device can estimate the time length required for initialization of the image file package based on the save point according to prior information or historical data, and obtain the first time length. In another example, the first time length can also be included in the description information, that is, the description information can also include the first time length. For example, the fourth network device can record the first time length in the process of making the image file package.

[0163] Exemplarily, the first time length corresponding to the image file package of the first save point is greater than the first time length corresponding to the image file package of the second save point, the first time length corresponding to the image file package of the second save point is greater than the first time length corresponding to the image file package of the third save point, and the first time length corresponding to the image file package of the third save point is greater than the first time length corresponding to the image file package of the fourth save point. Optionally, the first time length corresponding to the image file package of the first save point can include time lengths occupied by environment creation, environment initialization, framework startup and function initialization; the first time length corresponding to the image file package of the second save point can include time lengths occupied by environment creation, framework startup and function initialization; the first time length corresponding to the image file package of the third save point can include time lengths occupied by environment creation and function initialization; and the first time length corresponding to the image file package of the fourth save point can include a time length occupied by environment creation, as shown in Table 1.

[0164] Table 1

[0165] The second time length can be understood as a time length required for environment recovery or update based on the image file package. In one example, the second time length can be determined by a save point of the image file package. For example, the first network device can determine the second time length according to information of the save point in the description information. For example, the first network device can estimate the time length required for environment recovery or update of the image file package based on the save point according to prior information or historical data, and obtain the second time length. In another example, the second time length can also be included in the description information, that is, the description information can also include the second time length, as shown in FIG. 5. For example, the fourth network device can record the second time length in the process of making the image file package. In FIG. 5, the description information includes the name, version, function, save point, size of the image file package, first time length, second time length and hardware type of the image file package.

[0166] Exemplarily, the second time length corresponding to the image file package of the first save point is less than the second time length corresponding to the image file package of the second save point, the second time length corresponding to the image file package of the second save point is less than the second time length corresponding to the image file package of the third save point, and the second time length corresponding to the image file package of the third save point is less than the second time length corresponding to the image file package of the fourth save point. Optionally, the image file package of the first save point is an uninitialization image file package, and environment recovery or update is not required, so the second time length corresponding to the image file package of the first save point can be 0. Optionally, the second time length corresponding to the image file package of the second save point can include the time length occupied by recovery (or update) environment initialization; the second time length corresponding to the image file package of the third save point can include the time length occupied by recovery (or update) environment initialization and recovery (or update) framework startup; and the second time length corresponding to the image file package of the fourth save point can include the time length occupied by recovery (or update) environment initialization, recovery (or update) framework startup, and recovery (or update) function initialization.

[0167] The size of the image file package can be obtained from the description information, or can be obtained by reading the attribute information of the image file package, and is not limited. The download rate of the image file package can be determined by the allocated bandwidth and the measured signal-to-noise ratio, or can be determined by measuring or counting the download rate, and is not limited. For example, the first computing device is a first terminal device, and the first network device can obtain the air interface channel state (for example, the signal-to-noise ratio of the downlink) of the first terminal device, and determine the download rate according to the air interface channel state. For example, the first network device is a RAN device, and the first terminal device can measure the downlink channel to obtain the downlink channel state, and send the downlink channel state to the first network device. For example, the first network device can determine the download rate according to the bandwidth and the air interface channel state. For example, the download rate can be W*log2(1+SNR), where W is the bandwidth and SNR is the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0168] Exemplarily, in the implementation manner 1, the time score can satisfy the following formula (1). time_score=factorA*(image_size / download_rate)+factorB*initial_time+factorC*restore_time Formula (1)

[0169] Wherein, the time_score can be a time score, the factorA, the factorB and the factorC are all predefined calculation factors, the image_size can be a size of the mirror image file package or can also be a size of information in the mirror image file package which is not transmitted completely, the download_rate can be a download rate of the mirror image file package, the initial_time can be a first time length, and the restore_time can be a second time length.

[0170] Exemplarily, the value range of the factorA can be greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1. The value of the factorA can be predefined, or can also be set (or input), or can also be determined based on requirements, which is not limited. The factorA can represent a proportion of the transmission delay in the time score. For example, for a service with high transmission delay requirement, the factorA can be 1; for a service with low transmission delay requirement, the factorA can be less than 1.

[0171] Exemplarily, the value range of the factorB can be greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1. The value of the factorB can be predefined, or can also be set (or input), or can also be determined based on requirements, which is not limited. The factorB can represent a proportion of the first time length in the time score. For example, for a real-time service, the factorB can be 1; for a non-real-time service, the factorB can be less than 1.

[0172] Exemplarily, the value range of the factorC can be greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1. The value of the factorC can be predefined, or can also be set (or input), or can also be determined based on requirements, which is not limited. The factorC can represent a proportion of the second time length in the time score. For example, for a real-time service, the factorC can be 1; for a non-real-time service, the factorA can be less than 1.

[0173] For example, the first set corresponding to the first function includes an image file package of the first save point (denoted as image 1), an image file package of the second save point (denoted as image 2), an image file package of the third save point (denoted as image 3), and an image file package of the fourth save point (denoted as image 4), the sizes of the four image file packages are 500 megabytes (MB), 600 MB, 800 MB, and 1000 MB in turn, the first time lengths corresponding to the four image file packages are 30 seconds (s), 25 s, 16 s, and 1 s in turn, the second time lengths corresponding to the four image file packages are 0, 2 s, 2.5 s, and 3 s in turn, and the download rate is 500 megabits per second (Mbps). Assuming that factor A, factor B, and factor C are all 1, the first network device can determine the time scores of the four image file packages to be 38, 36.6, 31.3, and 20 in turn according to the above formula (1), as shown in Table 2. The first network device can select image 4 to execute the first function. It can be understood that the data in Table 2 is used as an example, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0174] Table 2

[0175] In the above implementation manner 1, in addition to considering the first time length and the second time length, the size of the image file package and the download rate of the image file package can also be considered for determining the time score. The size of the image file package and the download rate of the image file package can determine the transmission delay of the image file package, and the transmission delays of different image file packages are different under the same communication environment, especially in a wireless communication environment, the transmission delays of image file packages of different sizes are obviously different, which can affect the overall processing delay when the function is deployed, and therefore, the time score determined by the first time length, the second time length, and the transmission delay can well reflect the overall processing delay when the function is deployed based on different image file packages, which is beneficial to selecting a suitable image file package.

[0176] In an implementation manner 2, the time score can be determined by the first time length, the second time length, the size of the image file package (or the size of the information not transmitted in the image file package), the bandwidth, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). For example, in a scenario where the terminal side participates in cooperation, the time score can be determined by the first time length, the second time length, the size of the image file package, the bandwidth, and the SNR. For example, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and the time score can be determined by the first time length, the second time length, the bandwidth, and the SNR. Taking a first image file package as an example, the first network device can determine the time score of the first image file package according to the first time length corresponding to the first image file package, the second time length corresponding to the first image file package, the bandwidth, and the SNR.

[0177] The first time length, the second time length, and the size of the mirror file package can refer to the description in the foregoing implementation manner 1, and will not be described again. The bandwidth can be understood as an allocated bandwidth, and the unit is hertz (Hz). The signal-to-noise ratio can be understood as a signal-to-noise ratio of a channel used for transmitting the mirror file package, and the unit is decibel (dB). For example, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and the signal-to-noise ratio can be a signal-to-noise ratio of a channel between the first terminal device and an access network device providing an access service for the first terminal device.

[0178] For example, in the implementation manner 2, the time score can satisfy the following formula (2).

[0179] The time score can be a time score, factor A, factor B, and factor C are all predefined calculation factors, the image size can be a size of the mirror file package or can also be a size of information that is not transmitted in the mirror file package, the initial time can be the first time length, the restore time can be the second time length, W can be the bandwidth, and the SNR can be the signal-to-noise ratio of the channel.

[0180] For example, the first set corresponding to the first function includes a mirror file package of the first save point (denoted as image 1), a mirror file package of the second save point (denoted as image 2), a mirror file package of the third save point (denoted as image 3), and a mirror file package of the fourth save point (denoted as image 4), and the sizes of the four mirror file packages are 500 megabytes (MB), 600 MB, 800 MB, and 1000 MB in sequence. The first time lengths corresponding to the four mirror file packages are 30 seconds (s), 25 s, 16 s, and 1 s in sequence, and the second time lengths corresponding to the four mirror file packages are 0, 2 s, 2.5 s, and 3 s in sequence. Assuming that factor A, factor B, and factor C are all 1, the bandwidth is 80 MHZ, and the signal-to-noise ratio is 20 dB, the first network device can determine, according to the foregoing formula (2), that the time scores of the four mirror file packages are approximately 37.5, 36, 30.5, and 19 in sequence, as shown in Table 3. The first network device can select image 4 to execute the first function. It can be understood that the data in Table 3 is used as an example, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0181] Table 3

[0182] In the implementation manner 2, the time score can be determined by considering the bandwidth, the size of the mirror file package and the signal-to-noise ratio in addition to the first time length and the second time length. The bandwidth, the size of the mirror file package and the signal-to-noise ratio can determine the channel state, especially the channel state of the air interface, which can affect the transmission delay of the mirror file package and further affect the overall processing time length when deploying the function. For example, the channel state of the air interface is better, and the transmission delay of the mirror file package is shorter; the channel state of the air interface is worse, and the transmission delay of the mirror file package is longer. Therefore, the time score determined by the first time length, the second time length and the channel state can well reflect the overall processing delay when deploying the function based on different mirror file packages, which is beneficial to selecting a suitable mirror file package.

[0183] In the implementation manner 3, the time score can be determined by the first time length and the second time length when the download rate of the mirror file package is greater than or equal to a second threshold value and / or the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than or equal to a third threshold value. For example, in the scenario of participating in cooperation at the terminal side (for example, the first computing power device is a first terminal device), when the download rate of the mirror file package is greater than or equal to the second threshold value and / or the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than or equal to the third threshold value, the time score can be determined by the first time length and the second time length. Taking the first mirror file package as an example, when the download rate of the first mirror file package is greater than or equal to the second threshold value and / or the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than or equal to the third threshold value, the first network device can determine the time score of the first mirror file package according to the first time length corresponding to the first mirror file package and the second time length corresponding to the first mirror file package. The second threshold value can be configured by the network side or can be predefined and is not limited. The third threshold value can be configured by the network side or can be predefined and is not limited. In addition, the first time length, the second time length, the download rate of the mirror file package and the signal-to-noise ratio can refer to the description in the implementation manner 1 and will not be described here.

[0184] For example, in the implementation manner 3, when the download rate is greater than or equal to the second threshold value and / or the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than or equal to the third threshold value, the time score can satisfy the following formula (3). time_score=factorB*initial_time+factorC*restore_time Formula (3)

[0185] Wherein, time_score can be the time score, factorB and factorC are both predefined calculation factors, initial_time can be the first time length, and restore_time can be the second time length.

[0186] For example, the first set corresponding to the first function includes an image file package of the first save point (denoted as image 1), an image file package of the second save point (denoted as image 2), an image file package of the third save point (denoted as image 3), and an image file package of the fourth save point (denoted as image 4), the first time lengths of the four image file packages are 30s, 25s, 16s, and 1s in sequence, and the second time lengths of the four image file packages are 0, 2s, 2.5s, and 3s in sequence. Assuming that factor B and factor C are both 1, the download rate is greater than the second threshold, and the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than the third threshold, the first network device can determine the time scores of the four image file packages to be 30, 27, 18.5, and 4 in sequence according to the above formula (3), as shown in Table 4. The first network device can select image 4 to execute the first function. It can be understood that the data in Table 4 is used as an example, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0187] Table 4

[0188] In the above implementation manner 3, the download rate and the signal-to-noise ratio of the image file package can both affect the transmission delay of the image file package. In the case that the transmission delay meets the set condition, the time score is determined by the first time length and the second time length, which not only considers the first time length and the second time length, but also considers the transmission delay. Therefore, the time score can well reflect the overall processing delay of the function deployment based on different image file packages, which is beneficial to selecting a suitable image file package. In the implementation manner 3, the transmission delay does not need to participate in the calculation of the time score. While considering the transmission delay, the calculation complexity of the time score can be simplified, and the expenditure of computing resources can be reduced.

[0189] The first network device can determine the description information of at least one image file package in the N image file packages. In an implementation manner, the first network device can determine (or obtain) a service flowchart corresponding to the first service, and determine the description information of at least one image file package in the N image file packages according to the service flowchart. Optionally, the service flowchart can be used to indicate the association relationship between a plurality of functions. The service flowchart can include information of at least one set. The information of the at least one set can include identification information of each set in the at least one set and / or description information of at least one image file package included in each set in the at least one set. The at least one set includes the first set. Optionally, the service flowchart can further include information of at least one function corresponding to the first service, and the at least one function corresponds to the at least one set in one-to-one correspondence. The at least one function corresponding to the first service includes the first function.

[0190] In an example, the first network device can orchestrate the first service to obtain the service flow graph corresponding to the first service. For example, the first network device can orchestrate the first service according to the information of at least one function corresponding to the first service and / or the information of at least one set to obtain the service flow graph corresponding to the first service. For example, the first network device can receive a seventh message from a second terminal device, the seventh message being used to request to perform the first service; in response to the seventh message, the first network device can orchestrate the first service according to the information of at least one function corresponding to the first service and / or the information of at least one set to obtain the service flow graph corresponding to the first service. Optionally, the seventh message can include identification information (e.g., the name of the first service, etc., without limitation) of the first service. For example, the first network device can obtain the information of at least one function corresponding to the first service and / or the information of at least one set from a third network device. For example, the first network device can send an eighth message to the third network device, the eighth message being used to request to obtain the related information of the first service; the third network device can receive the eighth message and send the information of at least one function corresponding to the first service and / or the information of at least one set to the first network device; accordingly, the first network device can receive the information of at least one function corresponding to the first service and / or the information of at least one set from the third network device.

[0191] In an example, the second terminal device can be used to request to perform the first service. The second terminal device can be the same terminal device as the first terminal device mentioned above, or can be two different terminal devices, without limitation. It should be noted that the first network device can orchestrate the first service in response to the seventh message, or can actively orchestrate the first service, for example, when a set condition (e.g., starting the execution of the first service at a certain time) is met, without limitation.

[0192] The third network device can provide storage resources, such as information of at least one function corresponding to the service, function code, image file package, and description information of the image file package. Optionally, the third network device can also support deleting the stored information. Optionally, the third network device can also provide an external interface to support submitting information, and downloading or forwarding the stored information. Without special description, the third network device can be a third network equipment, or a device (such as a communication module, a chip, or a chip system) in the third network equipment, or a functional module capable of implementing part or all functions of the third network equipment. Optionally, the third network equipment can be a cloud-side device, or can also be an edge-side device, without limitation. For example, the third network equipment can be a cloud server, or an access network device, or a MEC device, or a core network device, and the implementation form of the third network equipment is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Optionally, the third network device can be the first network device, and has the functions of the first network device; or can also be the fourth network device, and has the functions of the fourth network device; or can also be other network devices other than the first network device and the fourth network device, without limitation.

[0193] In another example, the first network device can also receive a ninth message from a fifth network device, and the ninth message includes a service flow chart corresponding to the first service. Optionally, the ninth message can be used to instruct to execute the first service. For example, the fifth network device can arrange the first service to obtain the service flow chart corresponding to the first service, and send the ninth message to the first network device; correspondingly, the first network device receives the ninth message. For example, the fifth network device can arrange the first service according to the information of at least one function corresponding to the first service and / or the information of at least one set to obtain the service flow chart corresponding to the first service. For example, the fifth network device can receive a seventh message from a second terminal device, and the seventh message is used to request to execute the first service; in response to the seventh message, the fifth network device arranges the first service according to the information of at least one function corresponding to the first service and / or the information of at least one set to obtain the service flow chart corresponding to the first service. Optionally, the seventh message can include identification information (such as the name of the first service, without limitation) of the first service. For example, the fifth network device can obtain the information of at least one function corresponding to the first service and / or the information of at least one set from the third network device, and the implementation process can refer to the content of the first network device obtaining the information of at least one function corresponding to the first service and / or the information of at least one set from the third network device, which will not be described herein.

[0194] The fifth network device can be used to orchestrate the service to obtain the service flowchart. Optionally, the fifth network device can be the first network device, and has the functions of the first network device; or can be the fourth network device, and has the functions of the fourth network device; or can be the third network device, and has the functions of the third network device; or can be a network device other than the first network device, the fourth network device and the third network device, and is not limited. Without special description, the fifth network device can be a fifth network equipment, or a device (for example, a communication module, a chip, or a chip system) in the fifth network equipment, or a functional module capable of realizing part or all functions of the fifth network equipment. Optionally, the fifth network equipment can be a cloud side device, or can be an edge side device, and is not limited. For example, the fifth network equipment can be a cloud server, or an access network device, or a MEC device, or a core network device, and the implementation form of the fifth network equipment is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0195] It should be noted that the fifth network device can orchestrate the first service in response to the seventh message, or can actively orchestrate the first service, for example, orchestrate the first service when a set condition (for example, start the execution of the first service at a time) is met, and is not limited.

[0196] For example, the first network device determines the description information of at least one of the N mirror file packages according to the service flowchart can be that the first network device determines the description information of at least one of the N mirror file packages according to the information of the first set. For example, the first network device can determine the information of at least one set according to the service flowchart, and determine the description information of at least one mirror file package in each set according to the information of the at least one set, and the at least one set includes the first set. For example, the first network device can obtain the description information of at least one mirror file package in each set of the at least one set from the third network device according to the information of the at least one set. Wherein, the first network device obtains the description information of at least one mirror file package in each set of the at least one set from the third network device can refer to the description of the first network device obtaining the information of at least one function corresponding to the first service and / or the information of the at least one set from the third network device, and will not be repeated. For example, the information of the at least one set includes the description information of at least one mirror file package included in each set of the at least one set, and the first network device can determine the description information of at least one mirror file package in each set of the at least one set according to the information of the at least one set.

[0197] It should be noted that when the first service corresponds to multiple functions, each of the multiple functions can be a complete function, or each of the multiple functions can be a sub-function, or the multiple functions can include at least one complete function and at least two sub-functions, without limitation.

[0198] Taking the second function as an example, the fourth network device can split the second function according to the complexity of the second function and / or the data type of the data corresponding to the second function to obtain at least two sub-functions, and the first function is included in the at least two sub-functions. For a description of the fourth network device, please refer to the foregoing description, which will not be repeated here. The complexity can be determined by a floating point operation number and / or a multiply-add operation number, without limitation. The data type can include non-public data (for example, identity information and other information that needs to be kept secret) and public data. The non-public data can also be referred to as secret data, or data that is not allowed to be accessed, without limitation. The public data can also be referred to as non-secret data, or data that is allowed to be accessed, without limitation. The non-public data and the public data can be determined by a user setting an access right item, but are not limited thereto. For example, data 1 is set to allow access, and the data 1 is public data; or, data 1 is set to not allow access, and the data 1 is non-public data.

[0199] In one example, the fourth network device can determine whether to split the second function according to the complexity of the second function. For example, when the complexity of the second function is less than a fourth threshold, the fourth network device determines not to split the second function; or, when the complexity of the second function is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold, the fourth network device can split the second function into at least two sub-functions. The fourth threshold can be configured by the network side or predefined, without limitation. Splitting the second function into at least two sub-functions can be understood as splitting the function code of the second function into at least two sub-function codes.

[0200] In another example, the fourth network device can determine whether to split the second function according to the data type of the data corresponding to the second function. Taking a first data in the data corresponding to the first function as an example, the data type of the first data is privacy data (or non-public data), and the computing power device providing the first data supports limited computing power resources (for example, a terminal device), the fourth network device can split the second function into at least two sub-functions, the first data corresponds to one of the at least two sub-functions, and the sub-function corresponding to the first data is executed by the computing power device providing the first data, which can ensure that the non-public data does not go out of the local, and is conducive to improving the security and confidentiality of the data.

[0201] In another example, the fourth network device can determine whether to split the second function according to complexity of the second function and data type of data corresponding to the second function. For example, the complexity of the second function is less than a fourth threshold, and the data type of part of data corresponding to the second function is private data (or non-public data), and the fourth network device can split the second function into at least two sub-functions. For another example, the complexity of the second function is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold, and the data corresponding to the second function is public data, and the fourth network device can split the second function into at least two sub-functions.

[0202] It should be noted that, in addition to the complexity of the function and the data type of the data corresponding to the function, the fourth network device can also determine whether to split the function according to the communication environment (for example, air interface channel quality, etc.), and the embodiments of the present application are not limited.

[0203] S202: The first network device sends a first message. For example, the first network device sends the first message to the first computing power device.

[0204] The first computing power device receives the first message. For example, the first computing power device receives the first message from the first network device.

[0205] The first message can be used to instruct the first computing power device to obtain the first image file package, or the first message can be used to instruct the first computing power device to execute the first function based on the first image file package. Optionally, the first message can include identification information of the first image file package, or the first message can include identification information of the first image file package and information of a save point of the first image file package. The information of the save point of the first image file package can indicate the save point of the first image file package, for example, a first save point, or a second save point, or a third save point, or a fourth save point, which is not limited.

[0206] Exemplarily, the first network device can allocate one computing power device for each function of the at least one function corresponding to the first service, determine a mirror file package for deploying each function, and send a message to the computing power device corresponding to each function, where the message is used to instruct the corresponding function to be executed according to the determined mirror file package (for example, the mirror file package selected according to the step S201). One computing power device can execute one function or multiple functions corresponding to the first service, which is not limited. For example, the first network device can allocate a first computing power device for a first function, determine a first mirror file package from the first set, and send a first message to the first computing power device. For example, the first network device can allocate the first computing power device for the first function according to the network state of the first computing power device and / or the description information of the mirror file package in the first set, determine the first mirror file package from the first set, and send the first message to the first computing power device. It should be noted that the present embodiment does not limit the implementation process of the first network device allocating one computing power device for each function of the at least one function corresponding to the first service.

[0207] It can be understood that the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and the first network device is an access network device. The first message can be directly transmitted from the first network device to the first computing power device. Alternatively, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and the first network device is a cloud server or a core network device. The first message can be transmitted from the first network device to the access network device and then forwarded to the first computing power device by the access network device.

[0208] S203: The first computing power device acquires the first mirror file package from the third network device according to the first message.

[0209] After receiving the first message, the first computing power device can acquire (or download) the first mirror file package from the third network device. The third network device is described above. Exemplarily, the first computing power device can acquire the first mirror file package from the third network device, which can include that the first computing power device can send a tenth message to the third network device, where the tenth message is used to request to acquire the first mirror file package; the third network device receives the tenth message, sends the first mirror file package to the first network device; and correspondingly, the first network device receives the first mirror file package from the third network device.

[0210] It can be understood that the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and the third network device is an access network device. The first mirror file package can be directly transmitted from the third network device to the first computing power device. Alternatively, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and the third network device is a cloud server or a core network device. The first mirror file package can be transmitted from the third network device to the access network device and then forwarded to the first computing power device by the access network device.

[0211] Optionally, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and the messages between the first computing power device and the first network device and the third network device can be implemented through control signaling. The control signaling can be, for example, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, non-access (non-access stratum, NAS) signaling, etc., without limitation.

[0212] Optionally, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and the first mirror file package can be transmitted through a user plane.

[0213] S204: The first computing power device executes the first function according to the first mirror file package.

[0214] S204 is an optional step, which is represented by a dashed line in FIG. 2.

[0215] The first computing power device can execute (or deploy) the first function according to the first mirror file package. Exemplarily, the save point of the first mirror file package can be any one of a first save point, a second save point, a third save point, and a fourth save point, and accordingly, the first computing power device executing the first function according to the first mirror file package can be any one of the following.

[0216] (1) The first mirror file package is a mirror file package of the first save point, and the first computing power device can execute the first function through the following steps: environment creation, environment initialization, framework startup, function initialization, and function execution, as shown in (1) of FIG. 6.

[0217] (2) The first mirror file package is a mirror file package of the second save point, and the first computing power device can execute the first function through the following steps: environment creation, environment recovery or update, framework startup, function initialization, and function execution, as described in (2) of FIG. 6. The time length required for executing the first function based on the mirror file package of the second save point is less than the time length required for executing the first function based on the mirror file package of the first save point. The computing power resource required for executing the first function based on the mirror file package of the second save point is not more than the computing power resource required for executing the first function based on the mirror file package of the first save point.

[0218] (3) The first mirror file package is a mirror file package of the third save point, and the first computing power device can execute the first function through the following steps: environment creation, environment recovery or update, function initialization, and function execution, as shown in (3) of FIG. 6. The time length required for executing the first function based on the mirror file package of the third save point is less than the time length required for executing the first function based on the mirror file package of the second save point. The computing power resource required for executing the first function based on the mirror file package of the third save point is not more than the computing power resource required for executing the first function based on the mirror file package of the second save point.

[0219] (4) The first mirror image file package is a mirror image file package of the fourth save point, and the first computing power device can execute the first function through the following steps: environment creation, environment recovery or update, and function execution, as shown in (4) of FIG. 6. The time length required for executing the first function based on the mirror image file package of the fourth save point is less than the time length required for executing the first function based on the mirror image file package of the third save point. The computing power resource required for executing the first function based on the mirror image file package of the fourth save point is not more than the computing power resource required for executing the first function based on the mirror image file package of the third save point.

[0220] In the first communication method, the first network device selects the first mirror image file package for executing the first function from the first set, and the first set includes at least two mirror image file packages of different save points in the N mirror image file packages. The sizes of the mirror image file packages of different save points are different, which means that the bandwidths required for transmitting the mirror image file packages of different save points can be different, and different transmission capabilities can be adapted. The context information included in the mirror image file packages of different save points is different, which means that the computing capabilities required for deploying the mirror image file packages of different save points can be different, and different computing capabilities can be adapted. Therefore, the embodiments of the present application can select appropriate mirror image file packages to adapt to the transmission capability and the computing capability of the computing power device.

[0221] Further, in the case that the computing power device is a terminal device, the embodiments of the present application can adapt to the wireless transmission environment in the end-side participation in cooperation, and can meet the service demand in the end-edge-cloud participation in cooperation scenario. For example, in the case that the end-side download rate is low, that is, the transmission time delay of the mirror image file package is high, the first network device can select the mirror image file package without initialization for the first function, which can reduce the consumption of the wireless transmission bandwidth, can allocate the air interface resource to other users, and is beneficial to improving the air interface capacity of the system. For another example, in the case that the end-side rate is high, the first network device can select the mirror image file package with initialization for the first function, which can reduce the startup time of the first function (for example, skipping the complex framework and service initialization stage, directly recovering the execution environment from the snapshot after the initialization, and significantly reducing the startup time delay of the application (for example, the application of java, python and the like)), and can meet the demand of real-time service.

[0222] The embodiments of the present application can make mirror image file packages of multiple save points for one function (or one sub-function), and the mirror image making process will be introduced below in combination with FIG. 7.

[0223] Please refer to FIG. 7, which is a flow diagram of a second communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The method can be applied to the network architecture shown in FIG. 1, without limitation. The second communication method takes the interaction between the fourth network device and the third network device as an example for illustration. The descriptions of the third network device and the fourth network device refer to the related content in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and will not be repeated here.

[0224] As shown in FIG. 7, the second communication method can include the following content.

[0225] S701: The fourth network device obtains a first set according to the function code of the first function.

[0226] The first set can include a plurality of image file packages, for example, N image file packages, where N is an integer greater than 1. The description of the first set refers to the content of S201, and will not be repeated here. Each of the N image file packages can be used to implement (or deploy or execute) the first function. At least two of the N image file packages have different save points.

[0227] The first function can be one complete function (for example, the second function, that is, the second function is one complete function of the at least one function corresponding to the first service, and the first function is the second function) of the at least one function corresponding to the first service; or the first function can also be a sub-function of the second function, without limitation. For example, the second function can include at least two sub-functions, the first function belongs to the at least two sub-functions, and the at least two sub-functions are obtained by splitting the second function (for example, splitting the function code of the second function) according to the complexity of the second function and / or the data type of the data corresponding to the second function.

[0228] Taking the second function as an example, the fourth network device can split the second function to obtain at least two sub-functions according to the complexity of the second function and / or the data type of the data corresponding to the second function. The at least two sub-functions include the first function. The complexity of the second function is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold value and / or the data type of the data corresponding to the second function is non-public data. The specific implementation process refers to the related content of S201, and will not be repeated here.

[0229] Exemplarily, the fourth network device can mirror the function code of each function in the at least one function corresponding to the first service to obtain at least one set, the at least one function and the at least one set in a one-to-one correspondence, the at least one function including the first function, and the at least one set including the first set. Each set in the at least one set includes at least two mirror file packages with different save points. For example, the fourth network device can mirror the function code of each function in the at least one function corresponding to the first service to obtain at least one set and description information of the plurality of mirror file packages included in the at least one set. Wherein, the plurality of functions corresponding to the first service are described in the foregoing S201, and details are not repeated.

[0230] Taking the first function as an example, for the first save point, the fourth network device can directly mirror the function code of the first function to obtain the mirror file package of the first save point corresponding to the first function. For the second save point, the fourth network device can create a first execution unit according to the function code of the first function, save the context, and obtain the mirror file package of the second save point corresponding to the first function. For the third save point, the fourth network device can create a second execution unit according to the function code of the first function, save the context, and obtain the mirror file package of the third save point corresponding to the first function. For the fourth save point, the fourth network device can create a third execution unit according to the function code of the first function, save the context, and obtain the mirror file package of the fourth save point corresponding to the first function. Wherein, the first execution unit, the second execution unit, the third execution unit, and the process of generating the mirror file package of different save points are described in the foregoing S201, and details are not repeated.

[0231] In one example, the fourth network device can receive a second message, which can include the function code of the at least one function corresponding to the first service; and the fourth network device can mirror the function code of each function in the at least one function corresponding to the first service to obtain at least one set. The second message can come from an operator, or from a third-party device, or from a consumer, or from a cloud side or an edge side, etc., without limitation.

[0232] Optionally, the second message can include information of the save point supported (or recommended) by each function in the at least one function corresponding to the first service. For example, the fourth network device can mirror the function code of the first function and the information of the save point supported by the first function to obtain the first set, and the save points of the N mirror file packages included in the first set belong to the save points supported by the first function. It can be understood that the save points supported by different functions can be the same or different, without limitation.

[0233] For example, one function (or sub-function) corresponding to the first service is recorded as function 1, the first message includes the function code of function 1, and the save points supported by function 1 are the first save point, the second save point and the third save point; the fourth network device can obtain three mirror image file packages according to the function code of function 1 and the information of the save points supported by function 1, which are respectively the mirror image file package of the first save point, the mirror image file package of the second save point and the mirror image file package of the third save point corresponding to function 1.

[0234] Optionally, the second message can include the information of the hardware types supported (or recommended) by each function of the at least one function corresponding to the first service. For example, the fourth network device can obtain a first set according to the information of the hardware types supported by the first function and the function code of the first function, and the hardware types supported by the N mirror image file packages included in the first set belong to the hardware types supported by the first function. It can be understood that the hardware types supported by different functions can be the same or different, which is not limited.

[0235] For example, one function (or sub-function) corresponding to the first service is recorded as function 1, the first message includes the function code of function 1, and the hardware types supported by function 1 are X86 CPU and GPU; the fourth network device can obtain four mirror image file packages according to the function code of function 1 and the information of the hardware types supported by function 1, which are respectively the mirror image file package 1 of the first save point, the mirror image file package 2 of the first save point, the mirror image file package 3 of the second save point and the mirror image file package 4 of the second save point corresponding to function 1. Among them, the mirror image file package 1 and the mirror image file package 3 support X86 CPU, and the mirror image file package 2 and the mirror image file package 4 support GPU.

[0236] It can be understood that the second message includes the function code of at least one function corresponding to the first service, wherein each function of the at least one function is a complete function. The save points supported by the sub-function of the second function are the same as the save points supported by the second function. The hardware types supported by the sub-function of the second function are the same as the hardware types supported by the second function.

[0237] In another example, the fourth network device can receive an eleventh message, the eleventh message can be used to indicate to make a mirror file package for at least one function of the first service; and the fourth network device makes a mirror for at least one set according to the function code of each function of the at least one function corresponding to the first service. For example, the third network device receives the second message, and sends the eleventh message to the fourth network device according to the second message. Wherein, the second message includes the function code of the at least one function corresponding to the first service, and the eleventh message can include the function code of the at least one function corresponding to the first service.

[0238] Optionally, the second message includes information of a save point supported by each function of the at least one function corresponding to the first service, and the eleventh message can include information of a save point supported by each function of the at least one function corresponding to the first service. For details, please refer to the foregoing description, which will not be repeated here. Optionally, the second message includes information of a hardware type supported by each function of the at least one function corresponding to the first service, and the eleventh message can include information of a hardware type supported by each function of the at least one function corresponding to the first service. For details, please refer to the foregoing description, which will not be repeated here.

[0239] S702: The fourth network device sends the first set. For example, the fourth network device sends the first set to the third network device.

[0240] The third network device receives the first set. For example, the third network device receives the first set from the fourth network device.

[0241] S702 is an optional step, which is represented by a dashed line in FIG. 7. The fourth network device obtains the first set, which can store the first set; or the fourth network device obtains the first set and the description information of the N mirror file packages included in the first set, which can store the first set and the description information of the N mirror file packages. For example, the fourth network device can send the first set (or the first set and the description information of the N mirror file packages) to the third network device, and the third network device stores the first set (or the first set and the description information of the N mirror file packages), that is, the third network device stores the first set (or the first set and the description information of the N mirror file packages), which is not shown in FIG. 7; or the fourth network device can also store the first set (or the first set and the description information of the N mirror file packages) locally, that is, the fourth network device can provide a storage resource to store the first set (or the first set and the description information of the N mirror file packages), which is not limited.

[0242] In the second communication method, the fourth network device can generate N image file packages according to the function code of the first function, and at least two of the N image file packages have different save points. The image file packages with different save points have different sizes (or different information included in the image file packages with different save points), which means that the bandwidth required for transmitting the image file packages with different save points can be different, and can adapt to different transmission capabilities. The image file packages with different save points include different context information, which means that the computing capability required for deploying the image file packages with different save points can be different, and can adapt to different computing capabilities. Therefore, the embodiments of the present application can select appropriate image file packages to adapt to the transmission capability and computing capability of the computing device. Further, in the case that the computing device is a terminal device, the embodiments of the present application can adapt to the wireless transmission environment in the terminal-side participating in cooperation, which is beneficial to meet the service requirements in the edge-cloud cooperation scenario.

[0243] Based on the same technical concept as the first and second communication methods, the embodiments of the present application further provide a network architecture 800. As shown in FIG. 8, the network architecture 800 can include a function library, an image making function, an arrangement function, and a scheduling function. The function library, the image making function, the arrangement function, and the scheduling function can be deployed on the cloud side, or can be deployed on the edge side, or can be partially deployed on the cloud side and the remaining part deployed on the edge side, without limitation. For example, the function library, the image making function, and the arrangement function can be deployed on the cloud side (for example, a core network cloud), and the scheduling function can be deployed on the edge side (for example, a RAN), without limitation. The function library, the image making function, the arrangement function, and the scheduling function can communicate in a wired and / or wireless manner.

[0244] The function library (or code library, etc.) can provide storage resources, such as information of at least one function corresponding to a service, function code, image file package, and description information of the image file package. Optionally, the function library can also support deleting the stored information. Optionally, the function library can also provide an external interface to support submitting information, and downloading or forwarding the stored information, etc. For example, the function library can be deployed in the third network device, which is described in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

[0245] The mirror making function can be used to obtain mirror file packages of different save points, for example, mirror file packages of different save points for the same function. Optionally, the mirror making function can also be used for function splitting, that is, splitting one function into multiple sub-functions. Optionally, the mirror making function can also be used to obtain description information, for example, obtaining description information of the mirror file package during the mirror making process, or obtaining description information of the mirror file package after the mirror making is completed. For example, the mirror making function can be deployed in the fourth network device, please refer to the description in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

[0246] The orchestration function can be used to obtain a business flowchart by orchestrating a business. For example, the orchestration function can be deployed in the fifth network device, please refer to the description in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

[0247] The scheduling function can be used for computing power device scheduling and mirror file package selection. For example, based on a scheduling strategy, an appropriate computing power device is allocated to a certain function, and an appropriate mirror file package is selected for the function, etc. For example, the scheduling function can be deployed in the first network device, please refer to the description in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

[0248] In a possible implementation manner, the function library, the mirror making function, the orchestration function, and the scheduling function can register with the core network. The registration information can include but is not limited to: type, address, or service information, etc. For example, the function library, the mirror making function, the orchestration function, and the scheduling function can register with a network repository function (NRF) network element in the core network, and be managed by the NRF.

[0249] The functions in the network architecture 800 will be introduced below in combination with the first communication method and the second communication method.

[0250] Please refer to FIG. 9, which is a flowchart of a third communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The method can be applied to the network architecture 800. In order to facilitate understanding, in the embodiment, the first computing power device is taken as the first terminal device (for example, denoted as UE1), and the first terminal device and the second terminal device are taken as the same terminal device. As shown in FIG. 9, the third communication method can include the following contents.

[0251] S901: The function library receives the second message.

[0252] The second message can include a function code of the at least one function corresponding to the first service. The second message can come from an operator, or can come from a third-party device, or can come from a consumer, or can come from a cloud side or an edge side, without limitation. Optionally, the second message can include information of a save point supported by each of the at least one function corresponding to the first service. Optionally, the second message can include information of a hardware type supported by each of the at least one function corresponding to the first service.

[0253] S902: The function library sends an eleventh message to the image making function. Correspondingly, the image making function receives the eleventh message.

[0254] The eleventh message can be used to instruct to make an image file package for the at least one function of the first service. The eleventh message can include a function code of the at least one function corresponding to the first service. Optionally, the eleventh message can further include information of a save point supported by each of the at least one function corresponding to the first service. Optionally, the eleventh message can further include information of a hardware type supported by each of the at least one function corresponding to the first service.

[0255] S903: The image making function makes an image according to the function code of the first function to obtain a first set and description information of N image file packages.

[0256] The first set includes at least two image file packages of the N image file packages with different save points. For example, the image making function makes an image according to the function code of the at least one function corresponding to the first service to obtain at least one set and description information of a plurality of image file packages included in the at least one set, the at least one function corresponds to the at least one set one by one, the at least one function includes the first function, and the at least one set includes the first set. In FIG. 9, the first set made by the image making function according to the function code of the first function is exemplified.

[0257] Exemplarily, the first function can be the second function, or a sub-function of the second function. For example, the image making function can split the second function into at least two sub-functions according to complexity of the function code of the second function and / or a data type of data corresponding to the second function, and the at least two sub-functions include the first function.

[0258] The implementation process of S903 can refer to the description of S701, and will not be repeated here.

[0259] S904: The image making function sends the first set and the description information of the N image file packages to the function library. The function library receives the first set from the image making function.

[0260] For example, the mirror making function sends at least one set and description information of a plurality of mirror file packages included in the at least one set to the function library, the at least one set corresponds to at least one function of the first service one by one, and the at least one set includes the first set.

[0261] The implementation process of S904 is described with reference to S702, and will not be repeated here.

[0262] S905: The function library stores the first set and the description information of the N mirror file packages.

[0263] For example, the function library can store at least one set and description information of a plurality of mirror file packages included in the at least one set.

[0264] S906: UE1 sends a seventh message to the orchestration function. The orchestration function receives the seventh message from UE1.

[0265] The seventh message can be used to request execution of the first service. Optionally, the seventh message can include identification information (for example, the name of the first service, etc., without limitation) of the first service.

[0266] S907: The orchestration function obtains information of at least one function corresponding to the first service and / or information of at least one set from the function library.

[0267] S908: The orchestration function orchestrates the first service to obtain a service flowchart corresponding to the first service.

[0268] For example, the orchestration function orchestrates the first service according to the information of at least one function corresponding to the first service and / or the information of at least one set to obtain a service flowchart corresponding to the first service. The service flowchart includes information of at least one set. Optionally, the service flowchart can also include information of at least one function.

[0269] S909: The orchestration function sends a ninth message to the scheduling function. The scheduling function receives the ninth message from the orchestration function.

[0270] The ninth message includes a service flowchart corresponding to the first service. Optionally, the ninth message can be used to indicate execution of the first service.

[0271] S910: The scheduling function determines that UE1 executes the first function.

[0272] For example, the scheduling function can select UE1 to execute the first function according to a scheduling strategy. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the implementation manner of selecting a computing power device for each function.

[0273] S911: The scheduling function determines a first mirror file package from the first set.

[0274] For example, the time score of the first image file package is less than or equal to the first threshold value, and / or the time score of the first image file package can be the lowest time score in the first set. For details of the implementation process of S911, refer to the content of S201, which will not be repeated here.

[0275] S912: The scheduling function sends a first message to UE1. UE1 receives the first message from the scheduling function.

[0276] The first message is used to instruct UE1 to obtain the first image file package. For details of the implementation process of S912, refer to the content of S202, which will not be repeated here.

[0277] S913: UE1 obtains the first image file package from the function library.

[0278] For details of the implementation process of S913, refer to the content of S203, which will not be repeated here.

[0279] S914: UE1 executes the first function according to the first image file package.

[0280] For details of the implementation process of S914, refer to the content of S204, which will not be repeated here.

[0281] As mentioned above, the M image file packages are for the same save point, and the M image file packages support different hardware types. In one possible implementation, the image making function can be implemented by the front end and one or more computing nodes (or computing devices, etc.). The plurality of computing nodes support different hardware types, so that the image file packages supporting different hardware types can be made for the same function and the same save point.

[0282] Please refer to FIG. 10, which is a schematic diagram of a fourth communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method can be applied to the network architecture 800, and is illustrated by taking the interaction between the function library and the image making function as an example. The image making function is implemented by the front end and a plurality of computing nodes (for example, four computing nodes, which are not limited), and the four computing nodes are respectively denoted as computing node 1, computing node 2, computing node 3 and computing node 4. The computing node 1 supports X86 CPU, the computing node 2 supports ARM CPU, the computing node 3 supports GPU, and the computing node 4 supports a special processor.

[0283] As shown in FIG. 10, the fourth communication method can include the following contents.

[0284] S1001: The function library sends an eleventh message to the front end. The front end receives the eleventh message.

[0285] The eleventh message can be used to instruct to make the mirror file package for the at least one function of the first service. The eleventh message can include the function code of the at least one function corresponding to the first service. Optionally, the eleventh message can further include the information of the save point supported by each of the at least one function corresponding to the first service (for example, supporting one or more of the first save point, the second save point, the third save point and the fourth save point). Optionally, the eleventh message can further include the information of the hardware type supported by each of the at least one function corresponding to the first service (for example, supporting one or more of the X86 CPU, the ARM CPU, the GPU and the special processor).

[0286] S1002: The front end determines the save point and the hardware type of the mirror file package corresponding to the first function.

[0287] For example, the front end can determine the save point and the hardware type of the mirror file package corresponding to the first function according to the eleventh message. For example, the front end can determine the save point of the mirror file package corresponding to the first function according to the information of the save point supported by the first function, and determine the hardware type of the mirror file package corresponding to the first function according to the information of the hardware type supported by the first function. The save point of the mirror file package corresponding to the first function is one or more of the first save point, the second save point, the third save point and the fourth save point. The hardware type of the mirror file package corresponding to the first function is one or more of the X86 CPU, the ARM CPU, the GPU and the special processor. The present embodiment does not limit the implementation process of determining the save point and the hardware type of the mirror file package corresponding to the first function. For the convenience of understanding, the present embodiment takes the example that the save point of the mirror file package corresponding to the first function includes the first save point, the second save point, the third save point and the fourth save point, and the hardware type of the mirror file package corresponding to the first function includes the X86 CPU, the ARM CPU, the GPU and the special processor.

[0288] Optionally, the front end can further determine whether to split the second function according to the complexity of the second function and / or the data type of the data corresponding to the second function. The implementation process is described above and will not be repeated here.

[0289] S1003: The front end sends the message 1 to the computing node 1, the computing node 2, the computing node 3 and the computing node 4 respectively.

[0290] For example, the front end can determine the computing node 1, the computing node 2, the computing node 3 and the computing node 4 according to the hardware type of the mirror file package corresponding to the first function, and send the message 1 to the computing node 1, the computing node 2, the computing node 3 and the computing node 4 respectively.

[0291] Message 1 can be used to request the creation of an image file package for the first function. Message 1 may include the function code of the first function and information about the save points of the image file package corresponding to the first function. The save points of the image file package corresponding to the first function include a first save point, a second save point, a third save point, and a fourth save point.

[0292] For example, S1003 can be composed of S1003a, S1003b, S1003c, and S1003d. Specifically, in S1003a, the front end sends message 1 to computing node 1, and computing node 1 receives message 1; in S1003b, the front end sends message 1 to computing node 2, and computing node 2 receives message 1; in S1003c, the front end sends message 1 to computing node 3, and computing node 3 receives message 1; and in S1003d, the front end sends message 1 to computing node 4, and computing node 4 receives message 1. It is understood that the execution order of S1003a, S1003b, S1003c, and S1003d is not limited in this embodiment.

[0293] It should be noted that the front end can send message 1 to compute node 1, compute node 2, compute node 3 and compute node 4 respectively using unicast, or the front end can send message 1 to compute node 1, compute node 2, compute node 3 and compute node 4 using multicast, without restriction.

[0294] S1004: Mirroring compute node 1, compute node 2, compute node 3 and compute node 4 to obtain set 1, set 2, set 3 and set 4.

[0295] For example, S1004 can be composed of S1004a, S1004b, S1004c, and S1004d. Wherein:

[0296] S1004a, compute node 1 creates a mirror image according to the function code of the first function to obtain set 1 (or obtains set 1 and description information of multiple image file packages included in set 1). Set 1 includes four image file packages, each of which supports X86 CPU, and the four image file packages are stored at different points (that is, the four image file packages include image file packages stored at the first point, the second point, the third point, and the fourth point).

[0297] S1004b, Computing node 2 creates a set 2 by performing image creation based on the function code of the first function (or obtains the description information of set 2 and multiple image file packages included in set 2). Set 2 includes four image file packages, each of which supports ARM CPU, and the four image file packages are stored at different locations.

[0298] S1004c, the computing node 1 obtains a set 3 (or obtains the set 3 and description information of a plurality of image file packages included in the set 3) according to the function code of the first function, the set 3 includes four image file packages, each of which supports a GPU, and the four image file packages are different in save points.

[0299] S1004d, the computing node 4 obtains a set 4 (or obtains the set 4 and description information of a plurality of image file packages included in the set 4) according to the function code of the first function, the set 4 includes four image file packages, each of which supports a special processor, and the four image file packages are different in save points.

[0300] It can be understood that the execution order of S1004a, S1004b, S1004c and S1004d is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0301] S1005: The front end receives the set 1, the set 2, the set 3 and the set 4.

[0302] Exemplarily, S1005 can be composed of S1005a, S1005b, S1005c and S1005d. Wherein:

[0303] S1005a, the computing node 1 sends the set 1 to the front end, and the front end receives the set 1; or the computing node 1 sends the set 1 and description information of a plurality of image file packages included in the set 1 to the front end, and the front end receives the set 1 and the description information of the plurality of image file packages included in the set 1.

[0304] S1005b, the computing node 2 sends the set 2 to the front end, and the front end receives the set 2; or the computing node 2 sends the set 2 and description information of a plurality of image file packages included in the set 2 to the front end, and the front end receives the set 2 and the description information of the plurality of image file packages included in the set 2.

[0305] S1005c, the computing node 3 sends the set 3 to the front end, and the front end receives the set 3; or the computing node 3 sends the set 3 and description information of a plurality of image file packages included in the set 3 to the front end, and the front end receives the set 3 and the description information of the plurality of image file packages included in the set 3.

[0306] S1005d, the computing node 4 sends the set 4 to the front end, and the front end receives the set 4; or the computing node 4 sends the set 4 and description information of a plurality of image file packages included in the set 4 to the front end, and the front end receives the set 4 and the description information of the plurality of image file packages included in the set 4.

[0307] It can be understood that the execution sequence of S1005a, S1005b, S1005c and S1005d is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0308] S1006: The front end sends Set 1, Set 2, Set 3 and Set 4 to the function library. The function library receives Set 1, Set 2, Set 3 and Set 4.

[0309] Alternatively, the front end sends Set 1, Set 2, Set 3, Set 4, the description information of the multiple image file packages included in Set 1, the description information of the multiple image file packages included in Set 2, the description information of the multiple image file packages included in Set 3, and the description information of the multiple image file packages included in Set 4 to the function library; correspondingly, the function library receives Set 1, Set 2, Set 3, Set 4, the description information of the multiple image file packages included in Set 1, the description information of the multiple image file packages included in Set 2, the description information of the multiple image file packages included in Set 3, and the description information of the multiple image file packages included in Set 4 from the front end.

[0310] S1007: The function library stores Set 1, Set 2, Set 3 and Set 4.

[0311] Alternatively, the function library stores Set 1, Set 2, Set 3, Set 4, the description information of the multiple image file packages included in Set 1, the description information of the multiple image file packages included in Set 2, the description information of the multiple image file packages included in Set 3, and the description information of the multiple image file packages included in Set 4.

[0312] For example, set 1 includes mirror file package 1-1, mirror file package 1-2, mirror file package 1-3 and mirror file package 1-4, and the four mirror file packages in set 1 all support X86 CPU. Set 2 includes mirror file package 2-1, mirror file package 2-2, mirror file package 2-3 and mirror file package 2-4, and the four mirror file packages in set 2 all support ARM CPU. Set 3 includes mirror file package 3-1, mirror file package 3-2, mirror file package 3-3 and mirror file package 3-4, and the four mirror file packages in set 3 all support GPU. Set 4 includes mirror file package 4-1, mirror file package 4-2, mirror file package 4-3 and mirror file package 4-4, and the four mirror file packages in set 4 all support special-purpose processor. Among them, mirror file package 1-1, mirror file package 2-1, mirror file package 3-1 and mirror file package 4-1 are mirror file packages of the first save point; mirror file package 1-2, mirror file package 2-2, mirror file package 3-2 and mirror file package 4-2 are mirror file packages of the second save point; mirror file package 1-3, mirror file package 2-3, mirror file package 3-3 and mirror file package 4-3 are mirror file packages of the third save point; and mirror file package 1-4, mirror file package 2-4, mirror file package 3-4 and mirror file package 4-4 are mirror file packages of the fourth save point.

[0313] It should be noted that the save points of the mirror file packages corresponding to the first function in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 include the first save point, the second save point, the third save point and the fourth save point, and the hardware types of the mirror file packages corresponding to the first function include X86 CPU, ARM CPU, GPU and special-purpose processor as an example. The fourth communication method described above can also be applied to other cases. For example, the save points of the first function include the first save point, the second save point and the third save point, and the hardware types of the first function include GPU and special-purpose processor, etc.

[0314] In the fourth communication method described above, the front end and the plurality of computing nodes supporting different hardware types can cooperate to generate a plurality of mirror file packages supporting different hardware types for the same function and the same save point, so as to adapt to the computing power devices supporting different hardware types.

[0315] In each of the communication methods described above, the first mirror file package is successfully transmitted to the first computing power device, and the first computing power device executes the first function according to the first mirror file package. In another possible implementation, during the transmission of the first mirror file package, the first network device can also determine a second mirror file package from the first set, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0316] Please refer to FIG. 11, which is a flow diagram of a fifth communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The method can be applied to the network architecture shown in FIG. 1, without limitation. The fifth communication method takes the interaction between the first network device and the first computing power device as an example for illustration. The first network device and the first computing power device are described above, and will not be repeated here. As shown in FIG. 11, the fifth communication method can include the following contents.

[0317] S1101: The first network device determines the first mirror file package from the first set corresponding to the first function.

[0318] The first set can include a plurality of mirror file packages, for example, N mirror file packages, where N is an integer greater than 1. The description of the first set is described above in S201, and will not be repeated here. Each of the N mirror file packages can be used to implement (or deploy, or execute) the first function. The first function can be one complete function (for example, the second function, that is, the first function is the second function) in at least one function corresponding to the first service; or the first function can also be a sub-function of the second function, without limitation. At least two of the N mirror file packages have different save points.

[0319] The implementation process of S1101 is described above in S201, and will not be repeated here.

[0320] S1102: The first network device sends a first message. For example, the first network device sends the first message to the first computing power device.

[0321] The first computing power device receives the first message. For example, the first computing power device receives the first message from the first network device.

[0322] The first message can be used to instruct the first computing power device to obtain the first mirror file package, or the first message can be used to instruct the first computing power device to execute the first function, or the first message can be used to instruct the first computing power device to execute the first function based on the first mirror file package. Optionally, the first message can include identification information of the first mirror file package, or the first message can include identification information of the first mirror file package and information of the save point of the first mirror file package. The information of the save point of the first mirror file package can indicate that the first mirror file package is a mirror file package of the first save point, or a mirror file package of the second save point, or a mirror file package of the third save point, or a mirror file package of the fourth save point.

[0323] The implementation process of S1102 is described above in S202, and will not be repeated here.

[0324] The first computing power device can obtain the first mirror file package from the third network device according to the first message. During the transmission of the first mirror file package, the wired or wireless communication environment between the first computing power device and the third network device changes, and the first network device can determine the second mirror file package from the second set, that is, S1103 is executed.

[0325] S1103: During the transmission of the first mirror file package, the first network device determines the second mirror file package from the first set.

[0326] Optionally, the transmission delay of the second mirror file package can be less than or equal to the transmission delay of the information in the first mirror file package that has not been transmitted. Illustratively, the first network device can determine the second mirror file package according to the description information of at least one mirror file package in the first set. For example, the first network device can determine the second mirror file package according to the save point and channel state of at least one mirror file package. For another example, the first network device can determine the time score of at least one mirror file package according to the description information of the at least one mirror file package, and determine the second mirror file package according to the time score of the at least one mirror file package. For example, the time score of the second mirror file package is less than or equal to a first threshold, and / or the time score of the second mirror file package is the lowest time score in the first set. Wherein, the time score can be determined by the first time length and the second time length. The time score, the first time length, the second time length and the description information, etc. Please refer to the related content of S201, which will not be repeated here. The first network device determines the second mirror file package from the first set, please refer to the description of the first network device determining the first mirror file package from the first set, which will not be repeated here.

[0327] Exemplarily, during the transmission of the first mirror file package, the first network device can actively reselect the mirror file package for performing the first function; or can also reselect the mirror file package for performing the first function in response to the fourth message of the first computing power device. For example, during the transmission of the first mirror file package, the first network device can monitor the communication environment between the first computing power device and the third network device, and reselect the mirror file package for performing the first function from the first set when the communication environment changes (or the change value meets the preset condition), that is, determine the second mirror file package from the first set. For another example, during the transmission of the first mirror file package, the first computing power device can monitor the communication environment between the first computing power device and the third network device, and send the fourth message to the first network device when the communication environment changes (or the change value meets the preset condition); the first network device receives the fourth message, and reselects the mirror file package for performing the first function from the first set according to the fourth message, that is, determines the second mirror file package from the first set. Wherein, the fourth message can be used to request to replace the mirror file package for performing the first function.

[0328] It should be noted that the mirror file package reselected by the first network device (that is, the second mirror file package) can be a mirror file package of a different save point from the first mirror file package, or can also be the first mirror file package. For ease of understanding, the second mirror file package and the first mirror file package are described as different save point mirror file packages in the embodiments of the present application.

[0329] S1104: The first network device sends a third message to the first computing power device. For example, the first network device sends the third message to the first computing power device.

[0330] The first computing power device receives the third message. For example, the first computing power device receives the third message from the first network device.

[0331] The third message can be used to instruct the first computing power device to obtain the second mirror file package, or the third message can be used to instruct the first computing power device to perform the first function based on the second mirror file package. Optionally, the third message can include the identification information of the second mirror file package, or the third message can include the identification information of the second mirror file package and the information of the save point of the second mirror file package. The information of the save point of the second mirror file package can indicate the save point of the second mirror file package, for example, the first save point, or the second save point, or the third save point, or the fourth save point, without limitation.

[0332] It can be understood that the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and the first network device is an access network device. The third message can be transmitted directly from the first network device to the first computing power device. Alternatively, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and the first network device is a cloud server or a core network device. The third message can be transmitted from the first network device to the access network device and then forwarded to the first computing power device by the access network device.

[0333] S1105: The first computing power device obtains a second image file package from the third network device.

[0334] After receiving the third message, the first computing power device can obtain (or download) the second image file package from the third network device. The implementation process of S1105 can refer to the content of S203, which will not be repeated here.

[0335] Optionally, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and messages between the first terminal device and the first network device and the third network device can be implemented through control signaling. The control signaling can be, for example, RRC signaling, NAS signaling, etc., without limitation.

[0336] Optionally, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and the second image file package can be transmitted through a user plane.

[0337] It can be understood that the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and the third network device is an access network device. The second image file package can be transmitted directly from the third network device to the first computing power device. Alternatively, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and the third network device is a cloud server or a core network device. The second image file package can be transmitted from the third network device to the access network device and then forwarded to the first computing power device by the access network device.

[0338] S1106: The first computing power device executes the first function according to the second image file package.

[0339] The first computing power device can execute (or deploy) the first function according to the second image file package. The implementation process of S1106 can refer to the description of S204, which will not be repeated.

[0340] For example, assume that the first set corresponding to the first function includes an image file package of a first save point (denoted as image 1), an image file package of a second save point (denoted as image 2), an image file package of a third save point (denoted as image 3), and an image file package of a fourth save point (denoted as image 4), the sizes of the four image file packages are 500 MB, 600 MB, 800 MB, and 1000 MB in sequence, the first time lengths of the four image file packages are 30 s, 25 s, 16 s, and 1 s in sequence, and the second time lengths of the four image file packages are 0, 2 s, 2.5 s, and 3 s in sequence. Assume that factor A, factor B, and factor C are all 1, the download rate is 500 Mbps, and the first network device selects image 4 to execute the first function according to the above formula (1) (as shown in Table 2). During the transmission of image 4, the first network device monitors that the download rate decreases from 500 Mbps to 50 Mbps, and can reselect an image file package to execute the first function. Assume that 100 MB of image 4 has been transmitted and 900 MB of image 4 has not been transmitted, the first network device can determine the time scores of the four image file packages to be 110, 123, 146.5, and 148 in sequence according to the above formula (1) (as shown in Table 5). The first network device can select image 1 to execute the first function. It can be understood that the data in Table 5 is used as an example, and embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0341] Table 5

[0342] In Table 4, the download rate decreases from 500 Mbps to 50 Mbps, that is, the air interface channel state changes from good to poor, and the first network device can reselect an image file package without initialization for the first function according to the time score and the like. In another example, the air interface channel state is poor, the first network device can select an image file package without initialization according to the time score and the like, and during the transmission of the image file package without initialization, the air interface channel state changes from poor to good, and the first network device can reselect an image file package with initialization for the first function according to the time score and the like.

[0343] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the first network device can reselect the mirror file package for the first function during the transmission of the first mirror file package. In another possible implementation, the first computing power device can also reselect the mirror file package for the first function during the transmission of the first mirror file package, that is, determine the third mirror file package from the first set. For example, the first computing power device can monitor the communication environment between the first computing power device and the third network device, and reselect the mirror file package for executing the first function from the first set when the communication environment changes (or the change value meets a preset condition), that is, determine the third mirror file package from the first set. Further, the first computing power device can obtain the third mirror file package from the third network device and execute the first function according to the third mirror file package.

[0344] The third mirror file package is a mirror file package of a different save point from the first mirror file package. Optionally, the transmission delay of the third mirror file package can be less than or equal to the transmission delay of the information in the first mirror file package that has not been transmitted. For example, the first terminal device can determine the third mirror file package according to the description information of at least one mirror file package in the first set. For example, the first terminal device can obtain the description information of at least one mirror file package in the first set from the third network device, which is not limited. For example, the first terminal device can determine the third mirror file package according to the save point and the channel state of the at least one mirror file package. For another example, the first terminal device can determine the time score of the at least one mirror file package according to the description information of the at least one mirror file package, and determine the third mirror file package according to the time score of the at least one mirror file package. For example, the time score of the third mirror file package is less than or equal to a first threshold, and / or the time score of the third mirror file package is the lowest in the first set. The time score can be determined by the first time length and the second time length. The time score, the first time length, the second time length, and the description information are described in detail in S201, which will not be described here. The first terminal device determines the third mirror file package from the first set, which is described in the description of the first network device determining the first mirror file package from the first set, which will not be described here.

[0345] It should be noted that the mirror file package reselected by the first terminal device (that is, the second mirror file package) can be a mirror file package of a different save point from the first mirror file package, or can still be the first mirror file package. For ease of understanding, the second mirror file package and the first mirror file package are described as mirror file packages of different save points in the embodiments of the present application.

[0346] Referring to FIG. 12, another flowchart of the fifth communication method is shown.

[0347] Correspondingly, S1201 to S1212 are the same as S901 to S912 in FIG. 9, except that:

[0348] S1213: UE1 sends a fourth message to the scheduling function. The scheduling function receives the fourth message of UE1.

[0349] S1213 is an optional step, represented by a dashed line in FIG. 12. The fourth message can be used to request a replacement of the mirror file package implementing the first function. For example, during the transmission of the first mirror file package, UE1 can send a fourth message to the scheduling function. For example, during the transmission of the first mirror file package, UE1 can monitor the communication environment between the first computing power device and the third network device, and send a fourth message to the scheduling function when the communication environment changes (or the change value meets the preset condition).

[0350] S1214: The scheduling function determines a second mirror file package from the first set.

[0351] The second mirror file package and the first mirror file package are mirror file packages of different save points. For example, during the transmission of the first mirror file package, the scheduling function can determine a second mirror file package from the first set. For example, during the transmission of the first mirror file package, the scheduling function can actively determine a second mirror file package from the first set, or can also determine a second mirror file package from the first set according to the fourth message. For details, please refer to the description of S1103, which will not be repeated here.

[0352] S1215: The scheduling function sends a third message to UE1. UE1 receives the third message.

[0353] The third message can be used to instruct UE1 to obtain the second mirror file package.

[0354] S1216: UE1 determines a third mirror file package from the first set.

[0355] The third mirror file package and the first mirror file package are mirror file packages of different save points. For example, during the transmission of the first mirror file package, UE1 can determine a third mirror file package from the first set. For example, during the transmission of the first mirror file package, UE1 can monitor the communication environment between the first computing power device and the third network device, and determine a third mirror file package from the first set when the communication environment changes (or the change value meets the preset condition). For details, please refer to the description of the first network device determining the first mirror file package from the first set, which will not be repeated here.

[0356] Optionally, the third mirror image file package and the second mirror image file package can be different mirror image file packages, or can also be the same mirror image file package. For the sake of brevity, the third mirror image file package and the second mirror image file package are taken as the same mirror image file package in FIG. 12. That is, in S1216, UE1 determines the second mirror image file package from the first set.

[0357] S1216 and S1213 to S1215 are parallel steps. That is, S1216 is executed, or S1213 to S1215 are executed, which are represented by a dashed box in FIG. 12.

[0358] S1217: UE1 acquires the second mirror image file package from the function library.

[0359] The implementation process of S1217 can refer to the content of S913, which will not be repeated here.

[0360] S1218: UE1 executes the first function according to the second mirror image file package.

[0361] The implementation process of S1218 can refer to the content of S914, which will not be repeated here.

[0362] In the fifth communication method, in the transmission process of the mirror image file package, a more suitable mirror image file package can be selected flexibly according to the communication environment (for example, the state of the air interface channel), which can adapt to the instability of the wireless communication environment, reduce the time length of function deployment, and be conducive to meeting the business needs in the end-edge-cloud collaboration scenario.

[0363] In another possible implementation, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and the first terminal device can perform cell switching in the transmission process of the first mirror image file package. The destination cell of the cell switching performed by the first terminal device can be provided by a second network device. That is, the second network device can provide cell service. Without special description, the second network device can be a second network equipment, or a device (for example, a communication module, a chip, or a chip system) in the second network equipment, or a functional module capable of realizing part or all functions of the second network equipment. The second network equipment can be an access network equipment.

[0364] It is assumed that the first network device is an access network device, i.e., the source cell of the first terminal device performing cell switching is provided by the first network device, in other words, the first terminal device can switch from the cell provided by the first network device to the cell provided by the second network device. Exemplarily, during the transmission of the first mirror file package, the first terminal device switches from the cell provided by the first network device to the cell provided by the second network device, and the first network device can also send a fifth message to the second network device, as shown in FIG. 13. It can be understood that the second network device can be the access network device itself, or can be a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the access network device, or can be a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the access network device, without limitation.

[0365] Referring to FIG. 13, a flowchart of a sixth communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown. The method can be applied to the network architecture shown in FIG. 1, without limitation. In the sixth communication method, the interaction among the first network device, the second network device, and the first terminal device is taken as an example for description. The first network device, the second network device, and the first terminal device are described above.

[0366] S1301: The first network device determines the first mirror file package from the first set corresponding to the first function.

[0367] The first set can include a plurality of mirror file packages, for example, N mirror file packages, where N is an integer greater than 1. The first set is described above in S201, and will not be repeated here. Each of the N mirror file packages can be used to implement (or deploy, or execute) the first function. The first function can be one complete function (for example, a second function, i.e., the first function is the second function) in at least one function corresponding to the first service; or the first function can also be a sub-function of the second function, without limitation. At least two of the N mirror file packages have different save points.

[0368] The implementation process of S1301 is described above in S201, and will not be repeated here.

[0369] S1302: The first network device sends a first message. For example, the first network device sends the first message to the first terminal device.

[0370] The first terminal device receives the first message. For example, the first terminal device receives the first message from the first network device.

[0371] The first message can be used to instruct the first terminal device to acquire the first mirror file package, or the first message can be used to instruct the first terminal device to execute the first function, or the first message can be used to instruct the first terminal device to execute the first function based on the first mirror file package. Optionally, the first message can include identification information of the first mirror file package, or the first message can include identification information of the first mirror file package and information of a save point of the first mirror file package. The information of the save point of the first mirror file package can indicate that the first mirror file package is a mirror file package of a first save point, or a mirror file package of a second save point, or a mirror file package of a third save point, or a mirror file package of a fourth save point.

[0372] The implementation process of S1302 is described with reference to the description of S202, and will not be repeated here.

[0373] The first terminal device can acquire the first mirror file package from the third network device according to the first message. During the transmission of the first mirror file package, the first terminal device performs cell switching from a cell provided by the first network device to a cell provided by the second network device, that is, S1303 is executed.

[0374] S1303: During the transmission of the first mirror file package, the first terminal device switches from a cell provided by the first network device to a cell provided by the second network device.

[0375] S1304: The first network device can send a fifth message to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the fifth message from the first network device.

[0376] The fifth message can indicate information related to the first mirror file package. For example, the fifth message can include at least one of the following: information about the first mirror file package that has not been transmitted, download status of the first mirror file package, or description information of each mirror file package in the first set. The download status of the first mirror file package can be used to indicate that the first terminal device has not downloaded the first mirror file package. For example, the first network device can acquire the first mirror file package in advance, and during the transmission of the first mirror file package, the first terminal device performs cell switching, and the first network device can send information about the first mirror file package that has not been transmitted to the second network device. For example, the first mirror file package is transmitted from the third network device to the first network device, and then forwarded to the first terminal device by the first network device. The first network device and the third network device can transmit data through a wired manner. The first network device can obtain the complete first mirror file package in advance. For example, the download status of the first mirror file package can include identification information of the first mirror file package and / or size of the information about the first mirror file package that has not been transmitted.

[0377] S1305: The second network device sends the information of the first mirror file package which is not transmitted to the first terminal device. The first terminal device receives the information of the first mirror file package which is not transmitted.

[0378] For example, the second network device can determine to resume the first mirror file package according to the fifth message. For example, the second network device can obtain the information of the first mirror file package which is not transmitted. For example, the fifth message includes the information of the first mirror file package which is not transmitted, and the second network device can obtain the information of the first mirror file package which is not transmitted according to the fifth message. For example, the fifth message does not include the information of the first mirror file package which is not transmitted, and the second network device determines to resume the first mirror file package according to the download status of the first mirror file package and / or the description information of each mirror file package in the first set, and obtains the information of the first mirror file package which is not transmitted from the first network device.

[0379] For example, it is assumed that the size of the first mirror file package is X MB, and the first terminal device has downloaded Y MB, and Y is less than X. The first terminal device switches to the cell provided by the second network device, and the first network device can send the remaining (X-Y) MB of the mirror file package to the second network device. Accordingly, the second network device receives the remaining (X-Y) MB of the mirror file package, and sends the remaining (X-Y) MB of the mirror file package to the first terminal device to resume the transmission of the first mirror file package.

[0380] Through the above S1305, the second network device can continue to send the information of the first mirror file package which is not transmitted to the first terminal device, which can ensure the continuity of the transmission of the first mirror file package and ensure the quality of service.

[0381] S1306: The first terminal device executes the first function according to the first mirror file package.

[0382] The implementation process of S1306 can refer to the description of S204, and will not be described here.

[0383] S1307: The second network device determines a fourth mirror file package from the first set.

[0384] The fourth mirror file package is a mirror file package of a different save point from the first mirror file package. Optionally, the transmission delay of the fourth mirror file package can be less than or equal to the transmission delay of the information of the first mirror file package which is not transmitted.

[0385] In one example, the second network device can determine the mirror file package to perform the first function according to the fifth message. For example, the second network device determines that the first terminal device has not completed downloading the mirror file package according to the fifth message, and determines the mirror file package to perform the first function. For example, the fifth message includes the downloading status of the first mirror file package, and the second network device determines the fourth mirror file package from the first set according to the downloading status of the first mirror file package. For example, the fifth message includes the information of the first mirror file package that has not been transmitted, and the second network device determines the fourth mirror file package from the first set according to the information of the first mirror file package that has not been transmitted. For example, the fifth message includes the description information of each mirror file package in the first set, and the second network device determines the fourth mirror file package from the first set according to the description information of each mirror file package in the first set.

[0386] In another example, the second network device determines the mirror file package to perform the first function according to the fifth message and the communication environment (for example, the state of the air interface channel between the second network device and the first terminal device, etc.). For example, the second network device determines that the first terminal device has not completed downloading the mirror file package according to the fifth message, and determines the mirror file package to perform the first function according to the communication environment, etc. For example, the air interface channel quality between the first terminal device and the first network device is good, the first mirror file package is the mirror file package of the fourth save point, and after the first terminal device performs cell switching, the air interface channel quality between the first terminal device and the second network device is poor. The second network device can determine the mirror file package to perform the first function, for example, the mirror file package of the first save point, etc., to reduce the transmission delay of the mirror file package. For example, the air interface channel quality between the first terminal device and the first network device is poor, the first mirror file package is the mirror file package of the first save point, and after the first terminal device performs cell switching, the air interface channel quality between the first terminal device and the second network device is good. The second network device can determine the mirror file package to perform the first function, for example, the mirror file package of the fourth save point, etc., to speed up the deployment time of the first function.

[0387] Exemplarily, the second network device can determine the fourth mirror file package according to the description information of the at least one mirror file package in the first set. The description information of the at least one mirror file package in the first set can be included in the fifth message, or the second network device can obtain the description information of the at least one mirror file package from the third network device or the first network device, without limitation. For example, the second network device can determine the fourth mirror file package according to the save point and the channel state of the at least one mirror file package. For another example, the second network device can determine the time score of the at least one mirror file package according to the description information of the at least one mirror file package, and determine the fourth mirror file package according to the time score of the at least one mirror file package. Optionally, the time score of the fourth mirror file package is less than or equal to the first threshold, and / or the time score of the fourth mirror file package is the lowest in the first set. The time score can be determined by the first time length and the second time length. The time score, the first time length, the second time length, and the description information are described in S201, and will not be described here. The second network device determines the fourth mirror file package from the first set, which is described in the description of the first network device determining the first mirror file package from the first set, and will not be described here.

[0388] It should be noted that the mirror file package reselected by the second network device (i.e., the fourth mirror file package) can be a mirror file package with a different save point from the first mirror file package, or can still be the first mirror file package. If the mirror file package reselected by the second network device is still the first mirror file package, the second network device can obtain the information in the first mirror file package that has not been transmitted, and send the information in the first mirror file package that has not been transmitted to the first terminal device. In order to facilitate understanding, the fourth mirror file package and the first mirror file package are described as an example of a mirror file package with a different save point.

[0389] S1308: The second network device sends a sixth message to the first terminal device. The first terminal device receives the sixth message from the second network device.

[0390] The sixth message can be used to instruct the first terminal device to obtain the fourth mirror file package, or the sixth message can be used to instruct the first terminal device to execute the first function based on the fourth mirror file package. Optionally, the sixth message can include the identification information of the fourth mirror file package, or the sixth message can include the identification information of the fourth mirror file package and the information of the save point of the fourth mirror file package. The information of the save point of the fourth mirror file package can indicate the save point of the fourth mirror file package, for example, the first save point, or the second save point, or the third save point, or the fourth save point, without limitation.

[0391] S1309: The first terminal device acquires the fourth mirror image file package from the third network device according to the sixth message.

[0392] After receiving the sixth message, the first terminal device can acquire (or download) the fourth mirror image file package from the third network device. The implementation process of S1309 can refer to the content of S203, which will not be described here.

[0393] Optionally, the messages between the first terminal device and the first network device and the third network device can be realized through control signaling. The control signaling may, for example, be RRC signaling, NAS signaling, etc., without limitation.

[0394] Optionally, the fourth mirror image file package can be transmitted through the user plane.

[0395] S1310: The first terminal device executes the first function according to the fourth mirror image file package.

[0396] The first terminal device can execute (or deploy) the first function according to the fourth mirror image file package, and the implementation process can refer to the description of S204, which will not be described here.

[0397] Through the above S1307 to S1310, the second network device reselects the mirror image file package for executing the first function, which can adapt to the communication environment between the second network device and the first terminal device, and is beneficial to meet the business needs in the edge-cloud cooperation scenario.

[0398] It should be noted that S1305 to S1306 and S1307 to S1310 are parallel steps, which are represented by a dashed box in FIG. 13. That is, S1305 to S1306 are executed, or S1307 to S1310 are executed.

[0399] Please refer to FIG. 14, which is another flowchart of the fifth communication method. Among them, the first network device is denoted as RAN1, and the second network device is denoted as RAN2. Both RAN1 and RAN2 have scheduling functions.

[0400] Among them, S1401 to S1412 correspond to S901 to S912 in FIG. 9, and the difference is that:

[0401] S1413: During the transmission of the first mirror image file package, UE1 switches from RAN1 to RAN2.

[0402] S1414: RAN1 sends the fifth message to RAN2. Correspondingly, RAN2 receives the fifth message from RAN1.

[0403] The fifth message can indicate the related information of the first mirror image file package. For example, the fifth message can include at least one of the following: information of the first mirror image file package that has not been transmitted completely, download status of the first mirror image file package, or description information of each mirror image file package in the first set. The description of the fifth message can refer to the content of S1304, and will not be repeated here.

[0404] S1415: RAN2 sends information of the first mirror image file package that has not been transmitted completely to UE1. UE1 receives the information of the first mirror image file package that has not been transmitted completely.

[0405] For example, RAN2 can determine to resume the first mirror image file package according to the fifth message, and send the information of the first mirror image file package that has not been transmitted completely to UE1. The implementation process can refer to the description of S1305, and will not be repeated here. In FIG. 14, the fifth message includes the information of the first mirror image file package that has not been transmitted completely, and RAN2 sends the information of the first mirror image file package that has not been transmitted completely to UE1 is taken as an example.

[0406] S1416: UE1 executes the first function according to the first mirror image file package.

[0407] The implementation process of S1416 can refer to the description of S1306, and will not be repeated here.

[0408] S1417: RAN2 determines a fourth mirror image file package from the first set.

[0409] The fourth mirror image file is a mirror image file package different from the first mirror image file package. For example, RAN2 can determine to reselect a mirror image file package for executing the first function, and determine the fourth mirror image file package from the first set. The implementation process can refer to the description of S1307, and will not be repeated here. In FIG. 14, the fifth message includes the download status of the first mirror image file package, and RAN2 determines the fourth mirror image file package from the first set is taken as an example.

[0410] S1418: RAN2 sends a sixth message to UE1. UE1 receives the sixth message from RAN2.

[0411] The sixth message can be used to instruct the first terminal device to obtain the fourth mirror image file package. The implementation process can refer to the description of S1308, and will not be repeated here.

[0412] S1419: UE1 obtains the fourth mirror image file package from the function library according to the sixth message.

[0413] After receiving the sixth message, UE1 can obtain (or download) the fourth mirror image file package from the third network device. The implementation process of S1419 can refer to the content of S1309, which will not be repeated here.

[0414] S1420: UE1 performs the first function based on the fourth image file package.

[0415] The implementation process of S1420 is described in S1310 and will not be repeated here.

[0416] Steps S1415 to S1416 and S1417 to S1420 are parallel steps, indicated by dashed boxes in Figure 14. That is, either S1415 to S1416 or S1417 to S1420 are executed.

[0417] It should be noted that the embodiments shown in Figures 13 and 14 illustrate an example where the access network device has a scheduling function. In another possible implementation, the scheduling function may not be deployed in the access network device, or in other words, the first network device may not be an access network device. Then, during the transmission of the first image file packet, the first terminal device performs cell handover, and the sixth network device (i.e., the source cell for the cell handover by the first terminal device is provided by the sixth network device) can send information from the first image file packet that was not fully transmitted to the second network device. For example, the sixth network device can send information from the first image file packet that was not fully transmitted to the second network device based on the twelfth message from the first network device. This twelfth message can be used to instruct the sixth network device to send information from the first image file packet that was not fully transmitted to the second network device. Alternatively, the first network device can reselect the image file packet for performing the first function based on the communication environment between the first terminal device and the second network device and / or the download status of the first image file packet. For the implementation process, please refer to the description of the first network device determining the second or fourth image file packet from the first set, which will not be repeated here.

[0418] The embodiments provided in this application describe the methods provided by this application from the perspective of interaction between multiple communication devices (e.g., a first network device and a first computing device). The steps performed by the communication devices (e.g., the first network device or the first computing device) can be implemented by different functional entities that make up the communication devices. The communication devices (e.g., the first network device or the first computing device) may include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is implemented in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0419] The communication device used to implement the above method in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the content above can be used in subsequent embodiments, and repeated content will not be described again.

[0420] FIG. 15 exemplarily shows a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 1500. The communication apparatus 1500 can implement the functions or steps implemented by the first network device, the first computing power device, or the fourth network device in the above various method embodiments.

[0421] Exemplarily, when the communication apparatus 1500 is used to implement the functions or steps implemented by the first network device in the above various method embodiments, the communication apparatus 1500 can be a network device or a component (such as a DU and / or RU, etc.) in a network device, or can also be a terminal device or a component in a terminal device.

[0422] Exemplarily, when the communication apparatus 1500 is used to implement the functions or steps implemented by the first computing power device in the above various method embodiments, the communication apparatus 1500 can be a network device or a component (such as a DU and / or RU, etc.) in a network device, or can also be a terminal device or a component in a terminal device.

[0423] Exemplarily, when the communication apparatus 1500 is used to implement the functions or steps implemented by the fourth network device in the above various method embodiments, the communication apparatus 1500 can be a network device or a component (such as a DU and / or RU, etc.) in a network device, or can also be a terminal device or a component in a terminal device.

[0424] In an implementation manner, the communication apparatus 1500 can include a processing module 1501 and a transceiver module 1502. The processing module 1501 can be used for data processing, for example, executing the above various method embodiments. The processing module 1501 can also be referred to as a processing unit, etc. The transceiver module 1502 can be used to implement the corresponding communication function, for example, receiving or sending related data, information or messages. The transceiver module 1502 can also be referred to as a communication interface, or a communication module, or a transceiver unit, etc.

[0425] It should be noted that the communication apparatus 1500 can include the processing module 1501, but not the transceiver module 1502. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 1500 can include the transceiver module 1502, but not the processing module 1501. Whether the processing module 1501 and the transceiver module 1502 are included in the communication apparatus 1500 can depend on whether the processing action and the transceiver action are included in the above scheme implemented by the communication apparatus 1500.

[0426] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1500 can further include a storage module, which is not shown in FIG. 15. The storage module can be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing module 1501 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module, so that the communication apparatus 1500 implements the foregoing method embodiments.

[0427] Optionally, the transceiver 1502 can include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is configured to perform the sending operations in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is configured to perform the receiving operations in the above method embodiments.

[0428] It should be noted that the communication apparatus 1500 can include the sending module and not include the receiving module. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 1500 can include the receiving module and not include the sending module. Whether the sending module and the receiving module are included in the communication apparatus 1500 can depend on whether the above-mentioned schemes include the sending action and the receiving action.

[0429] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1500 is a chip system, and the transceiver 1502 can be an input / output interface of a chip (for example, a baseband chip), and the processing unit can be a processor of the chip system.

[0430] In the first implementation, the communication apparatus 1500 can implement the function of the first network apparatus, and perform the following: the processing module 1501 is configured to determine a first image file package from a first set corresponding to a first function, wherein the first set includes N image file packages, at least two image file packages in the N image file packages have different save points, each of the N image file packages is used to implement the first function, and N is an integer greater than 1; and the transceiver 1502 is configured to send a first message to a first computing power apparatus that executes the first function, the first message instructing the first computing power apparatus to obtain the first image file package, wherein the first message includes identification information of the first image file package, or the first message includes the identification information of the first image file package and information of the save point of the first image file package.

[0431] In a possible implementation, when the first image file package is determined from the first set corresponding to the first function, the processing module 1501 is configured to determine description information of at least one image file package in the N image file packages, the at least one image file package including the first image file package, wherein the description information includes identification information of the image file package and information of the save point; and determine the first image file package according to the description information of the at least one image file package.

[0432] In a possible implementation, the processing module 1501 is further configured to determine the first time length and / or the second time length according to the information of the save point; or the description information can further include at least one of the first time length or the second time length.

[0433] In a possible implementation, when the description information of the at least one image file package in the N image file packages is determined, the processing module 1501 is configured to determine a business process diagram of the first business, and the business process diagram can include information of the first set; and determine the description information of the at least one image file package according to the information of the first set.

[0434] In a possible implementation, the processing module 1501 is further configured to split the second function according to a complexity of the second function and / or a data type of data corresponding to the second function to obtain at least two sub-functions, the at least two sub-functions including the first function, and the second function being one of the at least one function corresponding to the first service. Optionally, when the first function is a sub-function of the second function, the complexity of the second function can be greater than or equal to a fourth threshold, and / or the data type of the data corresponding to the second function can be non-public data.

[0435] In a possible implementation, the transceiving module 1502 is further configured to receive a second message, where the second message can include a function code of the at least one function corresponding to the first service and / or information about a save point supported by each function of the at least one function corresponding to the first service.

[0436] In a possible implementation, during transmission of the first mirror file package, the processing module 1501 is further configured to determine, from the first set, a second mirror file package, the second mirror file package being a mirror file package of a different save point from the first mirror file package; and the transceiving module 1502 is further configured to send, to the first computing power device, a third message instructing the first computing power device to acquire the second mirror file package. Optionally, the transceiving module 1502 is further configured to receive a fourth message from the first computing power device, the fourth message being used to request replacement of a mirror file package implementing the first function.

[0437] In a possible implementation, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and during transmission of the first mirror file package, the first terminal device switches from a cell provided by the first network device to a cell provided by a second network device; and the transceiving module 1502 is further configured to send, to the second network device, a fifth message, the fifth message including information about an uncompleted transmission of the first mirror file package, or the fifth message including download status of the first mirror file package, or the fifth message including the download status of the first mirror file package and description information of each mirror file package in the first set, where the description information includes identification information of the mirror file package and information about the save point.

[0438] In the second implementation, the communication device 1500 can implement the function of the first computing power device, and perform the following: the transceiving module 1502 is configured to receive a first message from the first network device, the first message instructing acquisition of a first mirror file package, where the first mirror file package is used to implement a first function, and the first message includes identification information of the first mirror file package and information about a save point of the first mirror file package; and the processing module 1501 is configured to acquire the first mirror file package from the third network device according to the first message.

[0439] In a possible implementation, the processing module 1501 is configured to execute the first function according to the first mirror file package. For example, when the first function is executed according to the first mirror file package, the processing module 1501 is configured to:

[0440] The first mirror file package is a mirror file package of the first save point, and the first function is executed through the following steps: environment creation, environment initialization, framework startup, function initialization, and function execution.

[0441] Alternatively, the first mirror file package is a mirror file package of the second save point, and the first function is executed through the following steps: environment creation, environment recovery or update, framework startup, function initialization, and function execution.

[0442] Alternatively, the first mirror file package is a mirror file package of the third save point, and the first function is executed through the following steps: environment creation, environment recovery or update, function initialization, and function execution.

[0443] Alternatively, the first mirror file package is a mirror file package of the fourth save point, and the first function is executed through the following steps: environment creation, environment recovery or update, and function execution.

[0444] In a possible implementation, during transmission of the first mirror file package, the transceiver module 1502 is further configured to receive a third message from the first network device, the third message indicating to obtain a second mirror file package, the second mirror file package being used to implement the first function, and the second mirror file package being a mirror file package of a different save point from the first mirror file package; and the processing module 1501 is further configured to obtain the second mirror file package from the third network device according to the third message. For example, the transceiver module 1502 is further configured to send a fourth message to the first network device, the fourth message being used to request to replace the mirror file package used to implement the first function.

[0445] In another possible implementation, during transmission of the first mirror file package, the processing module 1501 is further configured to determine a third mirror file from a first set corresponding to the first function, the third mirror file being used to implement the first function, and the third mirror file package being a mirror file package of a different save point from the first mirror file package, wherein the first set includes N mirror file packages, save points of at least two mirror file packages in the N mirror file packages are different, each mirror file package in the N mirror file packages is used to implement the first function, and N is an integer greater than 1; and the processing module 1501 is further configured to obtain the third mirror file package from the third network device.

[0446] In a possible implementation, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and the first terminal device switches from a cell provided by the first network device to a cell provided by a second network device during transmission of the first mirror file package; the transceiver 1502 is further configured to receive, from the second network device, information in the first mirror file package that is not transmitted completely.

[0447] In another possible implementation, the first computing power device is a first terminal device, and the first terminal device switches from a cell provided by the first network device to a cell provided by a second network device during transmission of the first mirror file package; the transceiver 1502 is further configured to receive, from the second network device, a sixth message, where the sixth message indicates to obtain a fourth mirror file package, the fourth mirror file package is used to implement the first function, and the fourth mirror file is a mirror file package of a different save point from the first mirror file package; and the processing module 1501 is further configured to obtain the fourth mirror file package from the third network device according to the sixth message.

[0448] In a third implementation, the communication device 1500 can implement the function of the fourth network device, and perform the following: the processing module 1501 is configured to obtain a first set according to the function code of the first function, the first set includes N mirror file packages, at least two mirror file packages in the N mirror file packages are of different save points, each mirror file package in the N mirror file packages is used to implement the first function, and N is an integer greater than 1; and the transceiver 1502 is configured to send the first set to the third network device.

[0449] In a possible implementation, the processing module 1501 is further configured to split the second function according to the complexity of the second function and / or the data type of data corresponding to the second function to obtain at least two sub-functions, and the first function is included in the at least two sub-functions. Optionally, the complexity of the second function can be greater than or equal to a fourth threshold value, and / or the data type of the data corresponding to the second function can be non-public data.

[0450] The implementation processes of the above modules can refer to the content in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0451] As shown in FIG. 16, the embodiment of the present application provides another structure diagram of a communication device 1600. The communication device 1600 can include a processor 1620, which is configured to implement or support the communication device 1600 to implement the function of the first network device, the first computing power device, or the fourth network device in any method embodiment of the present application. For details, please refer to the detailed description in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be described here. For example, the processor 1620 is configured to read and execute program instructions through a communication interface, so that the communication device 1600 implements the corresponding method. The processor 1620 can include one or more processors, which are not limited.

[0452] It should be noted that the above-mentioned function modules can be implemented by hardware, or by a combination of hardware and software, without limitation. When the communication apparatus 1600 only includes the processor 1620, the communication apparatus 1600 can be a chip, or can also be a chip system.

[0453] For example, the communication apparatus 1600 can be a chip system. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices, without limitation.

[0454] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1600 can further include a memory 1630 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 1630 is coupled with the processor 1620. The coupling can be understood as indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses, units or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms, for information interaction between apparatuses, units or modules. The processor 1620 can operate in cooperation with the memory 1630, and the processor 1620 and the memory 1630 can be integrated together, or can be separately arranged.

[0455] Further, the processor 1620 is configured to execute the program instructions stored in the memory 1630, so that the communication apparatus 1600 implements corresponding methods.

[0456] One or more of the memories 1630 can be included in the processor, or the memories 1630 can exist independently, such as off-chip memories, connected with the processor 1620 through a communication bus (represented by a thick line 1640 in FIG. 16). The memory 1630 and the processor 1620 can also be integrated together.

[0457] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1600 further includes a communication interface 1610 (represented by a dashed line in FIG. 16) for communicating with other devices through a transmission medium, so that the devices in the communication apparatus 1600 can communicate with other devices. For example, when the communication apparatus is a first network apparatus, the other device can be a first computing power apparatus, etc. The processor 1620 can use the communication interface 1610 to transceive data. For example, the processor 1620 can be configured to control the communication interface 1610 to receive and / or send signals.

[0458] Optionally, the communication interface 1610 can be a transceiver. In hardware implementation, the transceiver can be used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned transceiving module 1502, and the transceiver is integrated in the communication apparatus 1600 to constitute the communication interface 1610. Optionally, the communication interface 1610 can also be an input / output interface, an input / output circuit, a pin, etc.

[0459] It should be noted that the communication interface 1610 can have a sending function and a receiving function, and can realize signal receiving and sending; or can have a sending function and not have a receiving function, and is used to realize signal sending; or can have a receiving function and not have a sending function, and is used to realize signal receiving.

[0460] It should be noted that the specific connection medium between the communication interface 1610, the processor 1620 and the memory 1630 in the embodiment of the present application is not limited. In FIG. 16, the memory 1630, the processor 1620 and the communication interface 1610 are connected through a communication bus 1640, and the connection mode between other components is only schematically illustrated and is not limited. The communication bus 1640 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus and the like. For convenience of representation, only one thick line is used in FIG. 16, but it does not mean that there is only one communication bus or only one type of communication bus.

[0461] In the embodiment of the present application, the processor 1620 can be one or a combination of a CPU, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit, a microprocessor unit (MPU), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a GPU, an artificial intelligence processor (AI processor), a neural network processor (Neural Processing Unit, NPU), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, a general-purpose processor, a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The method disclosed in combination with the embodiment of the present application can be executed by hardware in the processor or by a combination of hardware and software in the processor.

[0462] In the embodiments of the present application, the memory 1630 can include, but is not limited to, a cache, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and the like. The memory is any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiments of the present application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of realizing a storage function, used for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0463] In a first possible implementation, the communication apparatus 1600 can be a first network device, configured to implement the related method corresponding to the first network device in the above various embodiments, and the specific functions can refer to the descriptions in the above various embodiments.

[0464] Exemplarily, the related method corresponding to the first network device in the above various embodiments includes: determining a first mirror file package from a first set of first functions corresponding to the first network device, wherein the first set includes N mirror file packages, at least two mirror file packages in the N mirror file packages have different save points, each mirror file package in the N mirror file packages is used to implement a first function, and N is an integer greater than 1; and sending a first message to a first computing power device executing the first function, the first message instructing the first computing power device to obtain the first mirror file package, wherein the first message includes identification information of the first mirror file package, or the first message includes the identification information of the first mirror file package and information of a save point of the first mirror file package.

[0465] In a second possible implementation, the communication apparatus 1600 can be a first computing power device, configured to implement the related method corresponding to the first computing power device in the above various embodiments, and the specific functions can refer to the descriptions in the above various embodiments.

[0466] Exemplarily, the method corresponding to the first computing power device in each of the above embodiments includes: receiving a first message from the first network device, the first message indicating to obtain a first image file package, wherein the first image file package is used to implement the first function, and the first message includes identification information of the first image file package and information of a save point of the first image file package; and obtaining the first image file package from the third network device according to the first message.

[0467] In a third possible implementation, the communication device 1600 can be a fourth network device, used to implement the method corresponding to the fourth network device in each of the above embodiments, and specific functions refer to the descriptions in each of the above embodiments.

[0468] Exemplarily, the method corresponding to the fourth network device in each of the above embodiments includes: obtaining a first set according to a function code of the first function, the first set including N image file packages, at least two of the N image file packages having different save points, each of the N image file packages being used to implement the first function, and N being an integer greater than 1; and sending the first set to the third network device.

[0469] For specific implementation processes, please refer to the related content in each of the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0470] Based on the same concept, referring to FIG. 17, the embodiment of the application further provides another communication device 1700, which includes: an input / output interface 1710 and a logic circuit 1720; the input / output interface 1710 is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the logic circuit 1720; and the logic circuit 1720 is used to run the code instructions to execute the method performed by the first network device, the first computing power device or the fourth network device in any of the above embodiments.

[0471] In a first implementation, the communication device 1700 can be applied to the first network device to execute the method performed by the first network device, for example, the method performed by the first network device in the above method embodiment. For example, the communication device 1700 can determine a first image file package from a first set corresponding to the first function, wherein the first set includes N image file packages, at least two of the N image file packages having different save points, each of the N image file packages being used to implement the first function, and N being an integer greater than 1; and send a first message to the first computing power device executing the first function, the first message indicating the first computing power device to obtain the first image file package, wherein the first message includes identification information of the first image file package, or the first message includes the identification information of the first image file package and information of a save point of the first image file package.

[0472] In the second implementation, the communication device 1700 can be applied to the first computing power device to perform the method performed by the first computing power device, for example, the method performed by the first computing power device in the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the communication device 1700 can receive a first message from the first network device, the first message indicating to obtain a first image file package, wherein the first image file package is used to implement a first function, the first message including identification information of the first image file package and information of a save point of the first image file package; and obtaining the first image file package from the third network device according to the first message.

[0473] In the third implementation, the communication device 1700 can be applied to the fourth network device to perform the method performed by the fourth network device, for example, the method performed by the fourth network device in the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the communication device 1700 can obtain a first set according to a function code of the first function, the first set including N image file packages, at least two image file packages in the N image file packages having different save points, each image file package in the N image file packages being used to implement the first function, and N being an integer greater than 1; and sending the first set to the third network device.

[0474] The embodiments of the present application also provide a communication system, which can include at least one of the first network device, the first computing power device, or the fourth network device. Optionally, the communication system can further include at least one of the third network device or the second network device. The first network device, the second network device, the third network device, the first computing power device, or the fourth network device can refer to the description in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be described here.

[0475] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium, including program instructions, which, when running on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method or steps of the first network device, the first computing power device, or the fourth network device in the foregoing embodiments.

[0476] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, including program instructions, which, when running on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method or steps of the first network device, the first computing power device, or the fourth network device in the foregoing embodiments.

[0477] The embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which includes a processor for implementing the functions of the first network device, the first computing power device, or the fourth network device in the foregoing methods (for example, performing corresponding methods or steps). The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0478] Optionally, the chip system further comprises a memory for storing program instructions, so that the processor reads and executes the program instructions to implement the corresponding method.

[0479] It should be understood that the size of the sequence number of the above processes does not mean the order of execution in various embodiments of the present application, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0480] Those skilled in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized in electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are realized in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solutions. The skilled person can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0481] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working process of the system, device and unit described above can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0482] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic, for example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0483] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, i.e. they can be located in one place or distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment.

[0484] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit.

[0485] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the part of the technical solutions of the present application that essentially contributes or the part of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0486] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed by the embodiments of the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method applied to a first network device, characterized in that, The method comprises: determining a first mirror file package from a first set corresponding to a first function, wherein the first set comprises N mirror file packages, at least two of the N mirror file packages have different save points, each of the N mirror file packages is used to implement the first function, N is an integer greater than 1; sending a first message to a first computing power device executing the first function, the first message instructing the first computing power device to obtain the first mirror file package, wherein the first message comprises identification information of the first mirror file package, or the first message comprises identification information of the first mirror file package and information of a save point of the first mirror file package.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first mirror file package is any one of the following: a first save point mirror file package, the first save point mirror file package being an un-initialized mirror file package; a second save point mirror file package, the second save point mirror file package being an initialized mirror file package; a third save point mirror file package, the third save point mirror file package being an initialized mirror file package, the third save point mirror file package comprising more context information than the second save point mirror file package; or a fourth save point mirror file package, the fourth save point mirror file package being an initialized mirror file package, the fourth save point mirror file package comprising more context information than the third save point mirror file package.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, M of the N mirror file packages are of the same save point, the M mirror file packages support different hardware types, M is an integer greater than 1 and less than N.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The determining of the first mirror file package from the first set corresponding to the first function comprises: determining description information of at least one of the N mirror file packages, the at least one mirror file package comprising the first mirror file package, wherein the description information comprises identification information of a mirror file package and information of a save point; determining the first mirror file package according to the description information of the at least one mirror file package.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The time score of the first mirror file package is less than or equal to a first threshold value; and / or, the first mirror file package is the mirror file package with the lowest time score among the N mirror file packages.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein: the time score is determined by a first time length, a second time length, a size of a mirror file package, and a download rate of the mirror file package; or the time score is determined by a first time length, a second time length, a size of a mirror file package, a bandwidth, and a signal-to-noise ratio; or the time score is determined by a first time length and a second time length, wherein the download rate of the mirror file package is greater than or equal to a second threshold value, and / or the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than or equal to a third threshold value; wherein the first time length is a time length required for initialization based on a mirror file package, and the second time length is a time length required for environment recovery based on a mirror file package.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The time score satisfies the following formula: time_score = factorA * (image_size / download_rate) + factorB * initial_time + factorC * restore_time; wherein, the time_score is the time score, the factorA, the factorB and the factorC are all predefined calculation factors, the image_size is the size of the image file package or the size of the information in the image file package that is not transmitted, the download_rate is the download rate of the image file package, the initial_time is the first time length, and the restore_time is the second time length.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The method further comprises: determining the first time length and / or the second time length according to the information of the save point.

9. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that, The description information further comprises at least one of the following: the first time length, the second time length, or the information of the hardware type.

10. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that, The determining of the description information of the at least one image file package in the N image file packages comprises: determining a service flow chart of the first service, the service flow chart comprising the information of the first set; determining the description information of the at least one image file package according to the information of the first set.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, the first function is a second function in at least one function corresponding to the first service; or the first function is a sub-function of the second function in at least one function corresponding to the first service, wherein the second function comprises at least two sub-functions, the first function belongs to the at least two sub-functions, and the at least two sub-functions are sub-functions obtained by splitting the second function according to a complexity of the second function and / or a data type of data corresponding to the second function.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving a second message, wherein the second message comprises a function code of at least one function corresponding to the first service and / or information of a save point supported by each function in the at least one function corresponding to the first service.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The method further comprises: determining a second image file package from the first set during the transmission of the first image file package, the second image file package being an image file package of a different save point from the first image file package; sending a third message to the first computing power device, the third message instructing the first computing power device to acquire the second image file package.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a fourth message from the first computing power device, the fourth message being used to request to replace an image file package implementing the first function.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The first computing power device is a first terminal device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, During the transmission of the first image file package, the first terminal device switches from a cell provided by the first network device to a cell provided by a second network device, and the method further comprises: sending a fifth message to the second network device, the fifth message comprising information in the first image file package that is not transmitted completely, or the fifth message comprising download status of the first image file package, or the fifth message comprising download status of the first image file package and description information of each image file package in the first set, wherein the description information comprises identification information of an image file package and information of a save point. 17.A communication method applied to a first computing power device, comprising: The method comprises: receiving a first message from a first network device, the first message indicating to acquire a first image file package, wherein the first image file package is used to implement a first function, and the first message comprises identification information of the first image file package and information of a save point of the first image file package; acquiring the first image file package from a third network device according to the first message.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The first image file package is any one of the following: a first save point image file package, the first save point image file package being an image file package without initialization; a second save point image file package, the second save point image file package being an image file package with initialization; a third save point image file package, the third save point image file package being an image file package with initialization, and the third save point image file package comprising more context information than the second save point image file package; a fourth save point image file package, the fourth save point image file package being an image file package with initialization, and the fourth save point image file package comprising more context information than the third save point image file package.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The method further comprises: The first image file package is the first save point image file package, and the first function is implemented according to the first image file package by the following steps: environment creation, environment initialization, framework startup, function initialization, and function execution; or The first image file package is the second save point image file package, and the first function is implemented according to the first image file package by the following steps: environment creation, environment recovery, framework startup, function initialization, and function execution; or The first image file package is the third save point image file package, and the first function is implemented according to the first image file package by the following steps: environment creation, environment recovery, function initialization, and function execution; or The first image file package is the fourth save point image file package, and the first function is implemented according to the first image file package by the following steps: environment creation, environment recovery, and function execution.

20. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein, The method further comprises: during transmission of the first image file package, receiving a third message from the first network device, the third message indicating to acquire a second image file package, the second image file package being used to implement the first function, and the second image file being an image file package of a different save point from the first image file package; acquiring the second image file package from the third network device according to the third message.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The method further comprises: A fourth message is sent to the first network device, and the fourth message is used to request a replacement of a mirror file package for implementing the first function.

22. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein, The method further includes: During transmission of the first mirror file package, a third mirror file is determined from a first set corresponding to the first function, the third mirror file is used to implement the first function, and the third mirror file package is a mirror file package of a different save point from the first mirror file package. The first set includes N mirror file packages, at least two mirror file packages in the N mirror file packages are of different save points, each mirror file package in the N mirror file packages is used to implement the first function, and N is an integer greater than 1. The third mirror file package is obtained from the third network device.

23. The method of any one of claims 17-22, wherein, The first computing power device is a first terminal device, and during transmission of the first mirror file package, the first terminal device switches from a cell provided by the first network device to a cell provided by a second network device. The method further includes: Receiving information that is not transmitted in the first mirror file package from the second network device.

24. The method of any one of claims 17, 18, 20-22, wherein, The first computing power device is a first terminal device, and during transmission of the first mirror file package, the first terminal device switches from a cell provided by the first network device to a cell provided by a second network device. The method further includes: A sixth message is received from the second network device, the sixth message indicates to obtain a fourth mirror file package, the fourth mirror file package is used to implement the first function, and the fourth mirror file package is a mirror file package of a different save point from the first mirror file package. The fourth mirror file package is obtained from the third network device according to the sixth message.

25. The method of any one of claims 17-22, wherein, The first computing power node is a first terminal device. 26.A communication method applied to a fourth network device, the method comprising: The method includes: A first set is obtained according to a function code of a first function. The first set includes N mirror file packages, at least two mirror file packages in the N mirror file packages are of different save points, each mirror file package in the N mirror file packages is used to implement the first function, and N is an integer greater than 1. The first set is sent to a third network device.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein, The N mirror file packages include at least two of the following: A mirror file package of a first save point, the mirror file package of the first save point is an un-initialized mirror file package; A mirror file package of a second save point, the mirror file package of the second save point is an initialized mirror file package; A mirror file package of a third save point, the mirror file package of the third save point is an initialized mirror file package, and the mirror file package of the third save point includes more context information than the mirror file package of the second save point; Or, A mirror file package of a fourth save point, the mirror file package of the fourth save point is an initialized mirror file package, and the mirror file package of the fourth save point includes more context information than the mirror file package of the third save point.

28. The method of claim 26 or 27, wherein, The M mirror image file packages in the N mirror image file packages are all of a same save point, the M mirror image file packages support different hardware types, and M is an integer greater than 1 and less than N.

29. The method of any one of claims 26-28, wherein, The first function is a second function of at least one function corresponding to the first service; or The first function is a sub-function of a second function of at least one function corresponding to the first service, and the second function is one function of the at least one function corresponding to the first service.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein, The method further comprises: According to the complexity of the second function and / or the data type of data corresponding to the second function, the second function is split to obtain at least two sub-functions, and the at least two sub-functions include the first function.

31. A communications device, characterized by A module for performing the method of any one of claims 1-16, or a module for performing the method of any one of claims 17-25, or a module for performing the method of any one of claims 26-30.

32. A communications device, characterized by At least one processor for performing the method of any one of claims 1-16, or the method of any one of claims 17-25, or the method of any one of claims 26-30 by running a computer program stored in a memory and / or by a logic circuit.

33. The communication apparatus of claim 32, wherein Further comprising: The memory.

34. A communication system, characterized by At least one of the following: a first network device, a first computing power device, or a fourth network device, wherein the first network device is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-16, the first computing power device is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 17-25, and the fourth network device is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 26-30.

35. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program or instructions stored in a computer program, when executed on a processor, cause the method of any one of claims 1-16 to be implemented, or the method of any one of claims 17-25 to be implemented, or the method of any one of claims 26-30 to be implemented.

36. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises a computer program, when the computer program is executed on a computer, causes the method of any one of claims 1-16 to be implemented, or the method of any one of claims 17-25 to be implemented, or the method of any one of claims 26-30 to be implemented.

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