Communication method, apparatus and system, storage medium, and product

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a communication method, apparatus and system, a storage medium, and a product, and relates to the technical field of communications. The communication method is executed by a network data analytics function (NWDAF), and comprises: receiving a data connection establishment request sent by a network function (NF), the data connection establishment request comprising a network protocol type; and sending, to the NF, a data connection establishment response, the data connection establishment response indicating whether the network protocol type is acceptable to the NWDAF.

Description

Communication method, apparatus, system, storage medium and product

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application is based on and claims priority to the application with the Chinese application number 202411234883.2 and the filing date of September 4, 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communication, in particular to a communication method, apparatus, system, storage medium and product. BACKGROUND

[0004] The network protocol stack of the interface between 5G network functions (Network Function, referred to as: NF) is fixed, and a service-oriented interface of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (Hypertext Transfer Protocol, referred to as: HTTP) is adopted between control plane modules, such as network data analysis functions (Network Data Analytics Function, referred to as: NWDAF) and access and mobility management functions (Access and Mobility Management Function, referred to as: AMF), session management functions (Session Management Function, referred to as: SMF). SUMMARY

[0005] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, executed by a network data analysis function NWDAF, comprising: receiving a data connection establishment request sent by a network function NF, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; sending a data connection establishment response to the NF, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NWDAF accepts the network protocol type.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, executed by a data analysis function DAF, comprising: receiving a data connection establishment request sent by a network function NF, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; sending a data connection establishment response to the NF, wherein the data connection establishment response comprises a data connection setting result.

[0007] In some embodiments, the network protocol type comprises at least one of an application layer protocol type, a network layer protocol type, and a transport layer protocol type.

[0008] In some embodiments, the application layer protocol type is any one of a second generation hypertext transfer protocol HTTP 2.0, a third generation hypertext transfer protocol HTTP 3.0, a file transfer protocol (FTP), a remote direct memory access (RDMA), and a message queue protocol Kafka; and the network layer protocol type and the transport layer protocol type include any one of a user datagram protocol (UDP), a transmission control protocol (TCP), and a quick UDP internet connection (QUIC).

[0009] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request further includes a type of the NF, and the type of the NF is at least one of a DAF, a session management function (SMF), a policy control function (PCF), a unified data management function (UDM), a network exposure function (NEF), a user plane function (UPF), an access and mobility management function (AMF), a unified data repository function (UDR), a network access control function (NACF), a capability exposure function (CEF), and a unified subscription function (USM).

[0010] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request further includes an identity of the NF and a recovery timestamp.

[0011] In some embodiments, when the NF is the UPF, the network protocol type includes an application layer protocol type of the FTP.

[0012] In some embodiments, when the NF is also the DAF, the network protocol type includes an application layer protocol type of the RDMA, and a network layer protocol type and a transport layer protocol type of the UDP.

[0013] In some embodiments, the NF is a UPF or a control plane NF of a core network, the control plane NF of the core network comprising at least one of an NACF, an SMF, a PCF, a CEF, a USM.

[0014] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request is carried by HTTP connection request signaling between the NF and the DAF.

[0015] In some embodiments, the data connection setup result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setup result comprises any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, a server internal error.

[0016] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request is used to establish a data connection suitable for transmitting user behavior data.

[0017] In some embodiments, the communication method further comprises, in the case that the data connection establishment response indicates that the DAF accepts the network protocol type, performing data transmission or signaling transmission between the DAF and the NF based on the network protocol type.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, performed by a network data analysis function (NWDAF), comprising: sending, to a network function (NF), a data connection establishment request, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and receiving a data connection establishment response sent by the NF, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the network protocol type is accepted by the NF.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, performed by a data analysis function (DAF), comprising: sending, to a network function (NF), a data connection establishment request, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and receiving a data connection establishment response sent by the NF, wherein the data connection establishment response comprises a data connection setup result.

[0020] In some embodiments, the data connection setup result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setup result comprises any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, a server internal error.

[0021] In some embodiments, the network protocol type comprises at least one of an application layer protocol type, a network layer protocol type, and a transport layer protocol type.

[0022] In some embodiments, the application layer protocol type is any one of any one of the second generation hypertext transfer protocol HTTP 2.0, the third generation hypertext transfer protocol HTTP 3.0, the file transfer protocol FTP, the remote direct memory access RDMA, the message queue protocol Kafka; the network layer protocol type and the transport layer protocol type include any one of the user datagram protocol UDP, the transmission control protocol TCP, the quick UDP internet connection QUIC.

[0023] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request further includes a type of the DAF, and the NF is the DAF.

[0024] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request further includes an identity of the DAF, a recovery timestamp.

[0025] In some embodiments, the NF is at least one of the DAF, a session management function SMF, a policy control function PCF, a unified data management function UDM, a network exposure function NEF, a user plane function UPF, an access and mobility management function AMF, a unified data repository function UDR, a network access control function NACF, a capability exposure function CEF, and a unified subscription function USM.

[0026] In some embodiments, when the NF is the UPF, the application layer protocol type included in the network protocol type is the FTP.

[0027] In some embodiments, when the NF is also the DAF, the application layer protocol type included in the network protocol type is the RDMA, and the network layer protocol type and the transport layer protocol type are the UDP.

[0028] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request is carried by HTTP connection request signaling between the NF and the DAF.

[0029] In some embodiments, the communication method further includes, when the data connection establishment response indicates that the NF accepts the network protocol type, performing data transmission or signaling transmission between the DAF and the NF based on the network protocol type.

[0030] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, performed by a network function NF, including: sending a data connection establishment request to a network data analysis function NWDAF, wherein the data connection establishment request includes a network protocol type; receiving a data connection establishment response sent by the NWDAF, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NWDAF accepts the network protocol type.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, performed by a network function (NF), comprising: sending, to a data analytics function (DAF), a data connection establishment request, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and receiving a data connection establishment response sent by the DAF, wherein the data connection establishment response comprises a data connection setup result.

[0032] In some embodiments, the data connection setup result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setup result comprises any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, and a server internal error.

[0033] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, performed by a network function (NF), comprising: receiving a data connection establishment request sent by a network data analytics function (NWDAF), wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and sending, to the NWDAF, a data connection establishment response, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NF accepts the network protocol type.

[0034] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, performed by a network function (NF), comprising: receiving a data connection establishment request sent by a data analytics function (DAF), wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and sending, to the DAF, a data connection establishment response, wherein the data connection establishment response comprises a data connection setup result.

[0035] In some embodiments, the data connection setup result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setup result comprises any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, and a server internal error.

[0036] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a network data analytics function (NWDAF) is provided, comprising: a first receiving module configured to receive a data connection establishment request sent by a network function (NF), wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and a first sending module configured to send, to the NF, a data connection establishment response, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NWDAF accepts the network protocol type.

[0037] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a data analytics function (DAF) is provided, comprising: a first receiving module configured to receive a data connection establishment request sent by a network function (NF), wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and a first sending module configured to send, to the NF, a data connection establishment response, wherein the data connection establishment response comprises a data connection setup result.

[0038] In some embodiments, the data connection setup result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setup result comprises any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, and a server internal error.

[0039] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a network data analytics function (NWDAF) is provided, comprising: a second sending module configured to send a data connection establishment request to a network function (NF), wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and a second receiving module configured to receive a data connection establishment response sent by the NF, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NF accepts the network protocol type.

[0040] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a data analytics function (DAF) is provided, comprising: a second sending module configured to send a data connection establishment request to a network function (NF), wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and a second receiving module configured to receive a data connection establishment response sent by the NF, wherein the data connection establishment response comprises a data connection setup result.

[0041] In some embodiments, the data connection setup result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setup result comprises any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, and a server internal error.

[0042] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a network function (NF) is provided, comprising: a first sending module configured to send a data connection establishment request to a network data analytics function (NWDAF), wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and a first receiving module configured to receive a data connection establishment response sent by the NWDAF, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NWDAF accepts the network protocol type.

[0043] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a network function (NF) is provided, comprising: a first sending module configured to send a data connection establishment request to a data analytics function (DAF), wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and a first receiving module configured to receive a data connection establishment response sent by the DAF, wherein the data connection establishment response comprises a data connection setup result.

[0044] In some embodiments, the data connection setup result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setup result comprises any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, and a server internal error.

[0045] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a network function (NF) is provided, comprising: a second receiving module configured to receive a data connection establishment request sent by a NWDAF, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and a second sending module configured to send a data connection establishment response to the NWDAF, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NF receives the network protocol type.

[0046] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a network function (NF) is provided, comprising: a second receiving module configured to receive a data connection establishment request sent by a DAF, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and a second sending module configured to send a data connection establishment response to the DAF, wherein the data connection establishment response comprises a data connection setting result.

[0047] In some embodiments, the data connection setting result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setting result comprises any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, and a server internal error.

[0048] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising: the NWDAF as described above; and the NF as described above; or comprising: the NWDAF as described above; and the NF as described above.

[0049] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising: the DAF as described above; and the NF as described above; or comprising: the DAF as described above; and the NF as described above.

[0050] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, configured to store instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform any one of the communication methods as described above.

[0051] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer readable storage medium is provided, having stored thereon a computer program, wherein the program, when executed by a processor, implements any one of the communication methods as described above.

[0052] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform any one of the communication methods as described above.

[0053] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0054] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the related art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed in the embodiments or related art description. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative, but not as any limitation on the present disclosure and its application or use. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a flow diagram of a communication method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of a communication method according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a communication method according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of a communication method according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0059] FIG. 5 shows a structural diagram of a NWDAF according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0060] FIG. 6 shows a structural diagram of a NWDAF according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0061] FIG. 7 shows a structural diagram of an NF according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0062] FIG. 8 shows a structural diagram of an NF according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0063] FIG. 9 shows a structural diagram of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0064] FIG. 10 shows a structural diagram of a communication system according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0065] FIG. 11 shows a structural diagram of a communication apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0066] FIG. 12 shows a structural diagram of a communication apparatus according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, but not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative, but not as any limitation on the present disclosure and its application or use. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0068] The current protocol stack cannot meet the requirements of information and data transmission in the future 6G mobile network. For example, NWDAF as a key intelligent network element for realizing data collection and analysis in a mobile network, needs to collect massive data from each NF in the network. The HTTP protocol cannot meet the requirements of communication frequency and data load. With the development of 6G network based on artificial intelligence, the 6G network is more intelligent, the data interaction in the network is more frequent, the requirement for network intelligence is higher, and the intelligent surface, i.e., the data type exchanged between NWDAF and other entities, will be more complex, and the requirement for the protocol stack is higher.

[0069] The interface between target 5G control plane entities adopts a service-based architecture (SBA), and the interface protocol adopts an HTTP protocol. The protocol stack of the SBA interface is shown in Table 1. L1 represents a physical layer, L2 represents a link layer, IP represents a network layer, TCP represents a transport layer using a TCP protocol, and HTTP2.0 represents an application layer (Application) using an HTTP2.0 protocol.

[0070] Table 1

[0071] To meet the intelligent demand of the future mobile network and efficiently realize the collection and processing of various complex data, the present disclosure considers that the network protocol used on the interface related to the data analysis function (DAF) can be flexibly edited, and the application layer protocol and the transport layer protocol used can be negotiated, i.e., a flexible protocol stack combination that can be edited is supported. The DAF, for example, includes NWDAF. The communication method of the present disclosure is described below taking the NWDAF as an example. Those skilled in the art understand that the DAF can also include other network functions. Based on this, the present disclosure proposes a communication method. The communication method of the present disclosure realizes the network protocol negotiation function of the entities at both ends of the interface by adding a network protocol negotiation interface in the NWDAF and the function entities, i.e., NFs, around the NWDAF. That is, the present disclosure adds a network protocol negotiation interface in the DAF and the NFs around the DAF, thereby realizing the network protocol negotiation function of the entities at both ends of the interface. The present disclosure can be used for the potential protocol procedure of the IMT-2020 network and the protocol negotiation mechanism after that, and the negotiation process is based on HTTP.

[0072] The present disclosure can improve the efficiency of data interaction between NFs.

[0073] The communication method of the present disclosure involves the interaction between the NWDAF and the NF, which will be described based on the NWDAF and the NF side respectively. The communication method of the present disclosure is described based on the NWDAF side below in combination with FIG. 1.

[0074] FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of a communication method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the method of this embodiment is performed by the NWDAF, which includes steps S102-S104.

[0075] In step S102, a data connection setup request sent by a network function (NF) is received, wherein the data connection setup request includes a network protocol type.

[0076] The NF interacting with the NWDAF sends a data connection setup request to the NWDAF to inform the NWDAF of the network protocol type supported by the NF. That is, the data connection setup request (e.g., ndaf_DataConnectionSetup_Request) is a message used to initiate a protocol negotiation request to a peer NF. In some embodiments, the data connection setup request further includes a type of the NF, and the type of the NF is at least one of the NWDAF, a session management function (SMF), a policy control function (PCF), a unified data management function (UDM), a network exposure function (NEF), a user plane function (UPF), an access and mobility management function (AMF), a unified data repository function (UDR), a network access control function (NACF), a capability exposure function (CEF), and a unified subscription function (USM). That is, an interface for network protocol negotiation can be added within these NFs. Those skilled in the art can understand that the NF is not limited to the specific examples listed, and the NF in the present disclosure also includes other NFs that exchange data with the NWDAF.

[0077] In some embodiments, the network protocol type includes at least one of an application layer protocol type, a network layer protocol type, and a transport layer protocol type.

[0078] In some embodiments, the application layer protocol type is any one of a second generation hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) 2.0, a third generation hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) 3.0, a file transfer protocol (FTP), a remote direct memory access (RDMA), and a message queue protocol (Kafka); and the network layer protocol type and the transport layer protocol type include any one of a user datagram protocol (UDP), a transmission control protocol (TCP), and a quick UDP internet connections (QUIC).

[0079] The NF sends the data connection establishment request to the NWDAF according to the type of network protocol supported by the NF, so that the network protocol between the NWDAF and the NF is editable. That is, according to the needs, a person skilled in the art can edit the type of network protocol supported by the NF, so that not only the network protocol between the NWDAF and the NF can be adjusted according to the service condition, but also the future development needs can be adapted, and the network protocol between the NWDAF and the NF can be updated in time after the emergence of a new generation of network protocol.

[0080] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request is carried by the HTTP connection request signaling between the NF and the NWDAF. That is, the data connection request does not need to create a new signaling, and it can be implemented by adding a new information element in the existing signaling, which includes the description of the type of network protocol and the type of NF.

[0081] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request further includes the identity of the NF and the recovery timestamp.

[0082] That is, the communication method of the present disclosure can be implemented through the existing signaling between the NF and the NWDAF. For example, an optional item of a new information element is added in the HTTP connection request signaling, and when the optional item is set, the communication method of the present disclosure can be implemented, and when the optional item is not set, the original communication method can still be maintained. That is, the communication method of the present disclosure is not only simple to implement, but also has high flexibility.

[0083] Table 2 shows an example of adding an optional item of a new information element in the HTTP connection request signaling to implement the communication method of the present disclosure.

[0084] As shown in Table 2, the communication method of the present disclosure can be implemented by adding optional items of application layer protocol type and L3 / 4 (network layer and transport layer) protocol type in the HTTP connection request signaling. That is, the type of network protocol included in the data connection request can be described by multiple information elements, for example, as shown in Table 2, the type of application layer protocol and the type of network layer and transport layer are set. Of course, the type of network protocol included in the data connection request can also be described by a single information element.

[0085] In addition, as shown in Table 2, after adding the optional items of application layer protocol type and L3 / 4 protocol type in the HTTP connection request signaling, the mandatory item of NF type is also added, that is, the communication method of the present disclosure requires the NF to inform the NWDAF of the type of the NF, so that the NWDAF responds to the data connection suggestion request according to the type of the NF.

[0086] Table 2

[0087] Table 3, Table 4 and Table 5 respectively show examples of the specific structure of the information element describing the application layer protocol type, the specific structure of the information element describing the network layer and transport layer protocol type, and the specific structure of the information element describing the NF type.

[0088] As shown in Table 3, Table 4 and Table 5, the information element exemplarily shows the bit corresponding to each field, for example, the type of the information element can be described in the information element, and the length of the data in the information element is defined as n, which can be adjusted as needed. The information element can also include an idle, i.e. reserved field, which can be used in the future, and can also include an instance field for specifying the specific instance of the protocol, and can also include a protocol description field, etc. The fields included in the information element are only exemplary, and those skilled in the art can modify them as needed.

[0089] Table 3

[0090] Table 4

[0091] As shown in Table 3, Table 4 and Table 5, different application layer (L7) protocol types, network layer and transport layer (L3 / 4) protocol types and NF types can be represented by binary encoding.

[0092] Table 3, Table 4 and Table 5 are only exemplary descriptions of the design of the information element for implementing the communication method of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can modify the exemplary description, for example, the NF type value in Table 5 can be added or deleted to correspond to the NF interacting with the NWDAF.

[0093] Table 5

[0094] In some embodiments, in the case of the NF being a UPF, the application layer protocol type included in the network protocol type is FTP. The UPF initiates a request message for the establishment of an intelligent data plane connection interface to the NWDAF for transmitting user behavior analysis data. The data at the user layer is relatively large, and considering that FTP has the advantages of fast transmission speed, high reliability, and support for large-capacity file transmission, etc., the UPF can apply to transmit in the form of an FTP interface.

[0095] In some embodiments, in the case where the NF is also the NWDAF, the application layer protocol type included in the network protocol type is RDMA, the network layer protocol type is UDP, and the transport layer protocol type is UDP. An intelligent data plane interface connection needs to be established between the NWDAFs of federated learning, so as to realize the transmission of federated data. Considering that the RDMA technology can directly transfer the application data of the user end to the storage area of the service end, removing the multiple CPU copy operations in the transmission process, on the one hand, it has the characteristics of low latency and high bandwidth of data transmission, on the other hand, it can effectively reduce the CPU load, that is, it can greatly accelerate the AI scenarios such as federated learning and model splitting, therefore the NWDAF can apply to establish the data interface of RDMA.

[0096] In step S104, a data connection setup response is sent to the NF, wherein the data connection setup response indicates whether the NWDAF accepts the network protocol type. That is, the data connection setup response (for example, Ndaf_data connection setup_Response) is a message used to indicate whether to accept or reject the negotiated protocol type in the Ndaf_data connection setup_Request.

[0097] Table 6 shows the information elements included in the data connection setup response.

[0098] Table 6

[0099] The NWDAF determines whether to accept the network protocol type suggested by the NF according to the network protocol types it supports or the service status.

[0100] In some embodiments, the communication method further includes: in the case where the data connection setup response indicates that the NWDAF accepts the network protocol type, the NWDAF and the NF perform data transmission or signaling transmission based on the network protocol type.

[0101] In the case where the data connection setup response indicates that the NWDAF does not accept the network protocol type, the NF can send a data connection setup request to the NWDAF again carrying other supported network protocol types, or the NF and the NWDAF can use a pre-set default network protocol type for data transmission or signaling transmission.

[0102] The above embodiments are taken as an example of DAF as the NWDAF. That is, the present disclosure provides a communication method performed by a data analysis function (DAF), comprising: receiving a data connection setup request sent by a network function (NF), wherein the data connection setup request includes a network protocol type; sending a data connection setup response to the NF, wherein the data connection setup response includes a data connection setup result.

[0103] In some embodiments, the NF is a UPF or a NF of a control plane of a core network, the NF of the control plane of the core network including at least one of NACF, SMF, PCF, CEF, USM.

[0104] In some embodiments, the data connection setup result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, the data connection setup result including any one of a connection established, an input parameter error, a server internal error.

[0105] As in the above embodiments, taking the UPF as an example, the signaling flow between the UPF and the DAF is intended to negotiate and determine the transmission protocol of UPF data collection. The UPF sends a request with a negotiated protocol type (e.g., FTP) to the DAF by invoking Ndaf_data connection setup_Request, to establish a data connection suitable for transmitting user behavior analysis data. The DAF sends a response with a data connection setup result to the UPF by invoking Ndaf_DataConnectionSetup_Response. Data or signaling is then transmitted between the UPF and the DAF using the negotiated protocol.

[0106] As in the above embodiments, the signaling flow between the NF in the core network control plane (CN-CP) and the DAF is intended to negotiate and determine the transmission protocol of NF data collection in the CN-CP. The NF in the CN-CP (e.g., NACF / SMF / PCF / DAF / CEF / USM) sends a request with a negotiated protocol type (e.g., RDMA) to the DAF by invoking Ndaf_DataConnectionSetup_Request, to establish a data connection suitable for transmitting network behavior analysis data. The DAF sends a response with a data connection setup result to the NF in the CN-CP by invoking Ndaf_DataConnectionSetup_Response. Data or signaling is then transmitted between the CN-CP NF and the DAF using the negotiated protocol.

[0107] The above is a description of the communication method of the present disclosure based on the DAF side, e.g., the NWDAF side, in the above description, the protocol negotiation request is sent by the NF to the NWDAF, in fact, the NWDAF can also send a protocol negotiation request, i.e., a data connection establishment request, to the NF, and receive a data connection establishment response sent by the NF. That is, the communication method of the present disclosure can be carried out by bilateral negotiation of the DAF, e.g., the NWDAF, and the NF.

[0108] FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a communication method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the method of this embodiment is performed by the NWDAF, and includes steps S202-S204.

[0109] In step S202, a data connection establishment request is sent to a network function NF, wherein the data connection establishment request includes a network protocol type.

[0110] In some embodiments, the network protocol type includes at least one of an application layer protocol type, a network layer protocol type, and a transport layer protocol type.

[0111] In some embodiments, the application layer protocol type is any one of any one of the second generation hypertext transfer protocol HTTP 2.0, the third generation hypertext transfer protocol HTTP 3.0, the file transfer protocol FTP, the remote direct memory access RDMA, and the message queue protocol Kafka; and the network layer protocol type and the transport layer protocol type include any one of the user datagram protocol UDP, the transmission control protocol TCP, and the quick UDP internet connection QUIC.

[0112] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request further includes a type of the NWDAF, and the NF is the NWDAF.

[0113] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request is carried by HTTP connection request signaling between the NF and the NWDAF.

[0114] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request further includes an identity of the NWDAF and a recovery timestamp.

[0115] Similar to the data connection establishment request sent by the NF as described above, the data connection establishment request sent by the NWDAF can be carried by existing signaling, such as HTTP connection request signaling, between the NF and the NWDAF. Details are not repeated here.

[0116] In some embodiments, the NF is at least one of the NWDAF, the session management function SMF, the policy control function PCF, the unified data management function UDM, the network exposure function NEF, the user plane function UPF, the access and mobility management function AMF, the unified data repository function UDR, the network access control function NACF, the capability exposure function CEF, and the unified subscription function USM. That is, an interface for network protocol negotiation can be added in these NFs. Those skilled in the art can understand that the NF is not limited to the specific examples listed, and the NF in the present disclosure also includes other NFs that exchange data with the NWDAF.

[0117] In some embodiments, when the NF is the UPF, the application layer protocol type included in the communication protocol type is the FTP.

[0118] In some embodiments, in the case where the NF is also the NWDAF, the communication protocol type includes an application layer protocol type of RDMA, a network layer protocol type, and a transport layer protocol type of UDP.

[0119] In step S204, the receiving NF sends a data connection establishment response, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NF accepts the network protocol type.

[0120] The NF determines whether to accept the network protocol type recommended by the NWDAF according to the network protocol type it supports or the service condition.

[0121] In some embodiments, in the case where the data connection establishment response indicates that the NF accepts the network protocol type, data transmission or signaling transmission is performed between the NWDAF and the NF based on the network protocol type.

[0122] In the case where the data connection establishment response indicates that the NF does not accept the network protocol type, the NWDAF can send a data connection establishment request again to the NF carrying other supported network protocol types, or the NF and the NWDAF can perform data transmission based on a pre-set default network protocol type.

[0123] The above embodiments are based on the DAF as the NWDAF. That is, the present disclosure provides a communication method performed by a data analysis function (DAF), comprising: sending a data connection establishment request to a network function (NF), wherein the data connection establishment request includes a network protocol type; receiving a data connection establishment response sent by the NF, wherein the data connection establishment response includes a data connection setting result.

[0124] In some embodiments, the data connection setting result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setting result includes any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, and a server internal error.

[0125] The above is a description of the communication method of the present disclosure based on the NWDAF side. The communication method of the present disclosure based on the NF side is described below. Corresponding to the NWDAF, the NF side includes two implementation manners, i.e., sending a data connection establishment request to the NWDAF or receiving a data connection establishment request sent by the NWDAF, which are described below in combination with FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[0126] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the method of this embodiment is performed by the NF, including steps S302-S304.

[0127] In step S302, a data connection establishment request is sent to a network data analytics function NWDAF, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type.

[0128] In step S304, a data connection establishment response sent by the NWDAF is received, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NWDAF accepts the network protocol type.

[0129] The above embodiments take the DAF as the NWDAF. That is, the present disclosure provides a communication method, performed by a network function NF, comprising:

[0130] A data connection establishment request is sent to a data analytics function DAF, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and a data connection establishment response sent by the DAF is received, wherein the data connection establishment response comprises a data connection setup result.

[0131] In some embodiments, the data connection setup result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setup result comprises any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, and a server internal error.

[0132] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a communication method according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the method of this embodiment is performed by an NF, comprising steps S402-S404.

[0133] In step S402, a data connection establishment request sent by a network data analytics function NWDAF is received, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type.

[0134] In step S404, a data connection establishment response is sent to the NWDAF, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NF accepts the network protocol type.

[0135] The above embodiments take the DAF as the NWDAF. That is, the present disclosure provides a communication method, performed by a network function NF, comprising: receiving a data connection establishment request sent by a data analytics function DAF, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and sending a data connection establishment response to the DAF, wherein the data connection establishment response comprises a data connection setup result.

[0136] In some embodiments, the data connection setup result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setup result comprises any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, and a server internal error.

[0137] The present disclosure enables the network data analytics function and the network function to negotiate the network protocol type through the request and response of the data connection establishment request between the network data analytics function and the network function interacting with each other, so that the network data analytics function and the network function can flexibly select the network protocol type according to the needs, thereby improving the efficiency of data interaction between the network functions.

[0138] FIG. 5 shows a structural diagram of the NWDAF according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the NWDAF 50 includes modules 510 and 520.

[0139] The first receiving module 510 is configured to receive a data connection establishment request sent by a network function NF, wherein the data connection establishment request includes a network protocol type;

[0140] The first sending module 520 is configured to send a data connection establishment response to the NF, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NWDAF accepts the network protocol type.

[0141] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a data analytics function DAF is provided, including: a first receiving module configured to receive a data connection establishment request sent by a network function NF, wherein the data connection establishment request includes a network protocol type; and a first sending module configured to send a data connection establishment response to the NF, wherein the data connection establishment response includes a data connection setting result.

[0142] In some embodiments, the data connection setting result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setting result includes any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, and a server internal error.

[0143] In some embodiments, the network protocol type includes at least one of an application layer protocol type, a network layer protocol type, and a transport layer protocol type.

[0144] In some embodiments, the application layer protocol type is any one of a second generation hypertext transfer protocol HTTP2.0, a third generation hypertext transfer protocol HTTP3.0, a file transfer protocol FTP, a remote direct memory access RDMA, and a message queue protocol Kafka; and the network layer protocol type and the transport layer protocol type include any one of a user datagram protocol UDP, a transmission control protocol TCP, and a quick UDP internet connection QUIC.

[0145] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request further comprises a type of the NF, the type of the NF being at least one of a DAF, e.g. a NWDAF, a session management function, SMF, a policy control function, PCF, a unified data management function, UDM, a network exposure function, NEF, a user plane function, UPF, an access and mobility management function, AMF, a unified data repository function, UDR, a network access control function, NACF, a capability exposure function, CEF, a unified subscription function, USM.

[0146] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request further comprises an identity of the NF, a recovery timestamp.

[0147] In some embodiments, in a case that the NF is a UPF, the network protocol type comprises an application layer protocol type being FTP.

[0148] In some embodiments, in a case that the NF is also a DAF, e.g. a NWDAF, the network protocol type comprises an application layer protocol type being RDMA, a network layer protocol type and a transport layer protocol type being UDP.

[0149] In some embodiments, the NF is a UPF or a control plane NF of a core network, the control plane NF of the core network comprising at least one of a NACF, a SMF, a PCF, a CEF, a USM.

[0150] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request is carried by HTTP connection request signaling between the NF and a DAF, e.g. a NWDAF.

[0151] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request is used for establishing a data connection suitable for transmitting user behavior data.

[0152] In some embodiments, the NWDAF 50 further comprises: in a case that the data connection establishment response indicates that the NWDAF accepts the network protocol type, the NWDAF and the NF perform data transmission or signaling transmission based on the network protocol type.

[0153] In some embodiments, the DAF further comprises: in a case that the data connection establishment response indicates that the DAF accepts the network protocol type, the DAF and the NF perform data transmission or signaling transmission based on the network protocol type.

[0154] Fig. 6 shows a structural schematic diagram of a NWDAF according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 6, the NWDAF 60 comprises modules 610 and 620.

[0155] The second sending module 610 is configured to send a data connection establishment request to a network function, NF, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type;

[0156] The second receiving module 620 is configured to receive a data connection establishment response sent by the NF, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NF accepts the network protocol type.

[0157] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a data analytics function (DAF) is provided, comprising: a second sending module configured to send a data connection establishment request to a network function (NF), wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and a second receiving module configured to receive a data connection establishment response sent by the NF, wherein the data connection establishment response comprises a data connection setup result.

[0158] In some embodiments, the data connection setup result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setup result comprises any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, and a server internal error.

[0159] In some embodiments, the network protocol type comprises at least one of an application layer protocol type, a network layer protocol type, and a transport layer protocol type.

[0160] In some embodiments, the application layer protocol type is any one of any one of the second generation hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP 2.0), the third generation hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP 3.0), the file transfer protocol (FTP), the remote direct memory access (RDMA), and the message queue protocol (Kafka); and the network layer protocol type and the transport layer protocol type comprise any one of the user datagram protocol (UDP), the transmission control protocol (TCP), and the quick UDP internet connections (QUIC).

[0161] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request further comprises a type of the DAF, such as a network data analytics function (NWDAF), and the NF is a DAF, such as a NWDAF.

[0162] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request further comprises an identity of the DAF, such as a NWDAF, and a recovery timestamp.

[0163] In some embodiments, the NF is at least one of a DAF, such as a NWDAF, a session management function (SMF), a policy control function (PCF), a unified data management function (UDM), a network exposure function (NEF), a user plane function (UPF), an access and mobility management function (AMF), a unified data repository function (UDR), a network access control function (NACF), a capability exposure function (CEF), and a unified subscription function (USM).

[0164] In some embodiments, when the NF is a UPF, the application layer protocol type comprised in the network protocol type is FTP.

[0165] In some embodiments, in the case that the NF is also a DAF, e.g., a NWDAF, the network protocol type includes an application layer protocol type of RDMA, a network layer protocol type, and a transport layer protocol type of UDP.

[0166] In some embodiments, the data connection establishment request is carried by HTTP connection request signaling between the NF and the DAF, e.g., a NWDAF.

[0167] In some embodiments, the NWDAF 60 is further configured to, in the case that the data connection establishment response indicates that the NF accepts the network protocol type, perform data transmission or signaling transmission between the NWDAF and the NF based on the network protocol type.

[0168] In some embodiments, the DAF is further configured to, in the case that the data connection establishment response indicates that the NF accepts the network protocol type, perform data transmission or signaling transmission between the DAF and the NF based on the network protocol type.

[0169] FIG. 7 shows a structural schematic diagram of an NF according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, the NF 70 includes modules 710 and 720.

[0170] The first sending module 710 is configured to send a data connection establishment request to a network data analysis function (NWDAF), wherein the data connection establishment request includes a network protocol type;

[0171] The first receiving module 720 is configured to receive a data connection establishment response sent by the NWDAF, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NWDAF accepts the network protocol type.

[0172] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a network function (NF) is provided, including: a first sending module configured to send a data connection establishment request to a data analysis function (DAF), wherein the data connection establishment request includes a network protocol type; and a first receiving module configured to receive a data connection establishment response sent by the DAF, wherein the data connection establishment response includes a data connection setting result.

[0173] In some embodiments, the data connection setting result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setting result includes any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, and a server internal error.

[0174] FIG. 8 shows a structural schematic diagram of an NF according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, the NF 80 includes modules 810 and 820.

[0175] The second receiving module 810 is configured to receive a data connection establishment request sent by the NWDAF, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type.

[0176] The second sending module 820 is configured to send a data connection establishment response to the NWDAF, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NF receives the network protocol type.

[0177] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a network function (NF) is provided, comprising: a second receiving module configured to receive a data connection establishment request sent by a DAF, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; and a second sending module configured to send a data connection establishment response to the DAF, wherein the data connection establishment response comprises a data connection setting result.

[0178] In some embodiments, the data connection setting result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setting result comprises any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, and a server internal error.

[0179] FIG. 9 shows a structural schematic diagram of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 9, the communication system 90 comprises a NWDAF 910 and an NF 920, wherein the NWDAF 910 is the NWDAF 50 as described above, and the NF 920 is the NF 70 as described above; or the NWDAF 910 is the NWDAF 60 as described above, and the NF 920 is the NF 80 as described above.

[0180] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising: a DAF as described above; and an NF as described above; or comprising: a DAF as described above; and an NF as described above.

[0181] FIG. 10 shows a structural schematic diagram of a communication system according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 10, the communication system comprises an eNWDAF 1010, an eSMF 1020, an eUDM 1030, an eUPF 1040, and an eAMF 1050. Among them, the eNWDAF 1010 refers to a NWDAF with protocol negotiation service, i.e., an enhanced NWDAF, the eSMF 1020 refers to an SMF with protocol negotiation service, i.e., an enhanced SMF, the eUDM 1030 refers to a UDM with protocol negotiation service, i.e., an enhanced UDM, the eUPF 1040 refers to a UPF with protocol negotiation service, i.e., an enhanced UPF, and the eAMF 1050 refers to an AMF with protocol negotiation service, i.e., an enhanced AMF. The eSMF 1020, the eUDM 1030, the eUPF 1040, and the eAMF 1050 can perform protocol negotiation with the eNWDAF.

[0182] The NWDAF, NF in the embodiments of the present disclosure can each be implemented by various computing devices or computer systems, which are described below in conjunction with FIG. 11 and FIG. 12.

[0183] FIG. 11 shows a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 11, the apparatus 110 of this embodiment includes a memory 1110 and a processor 1120 coupled to the memory 1110, and the processor 1120 is configured to execute the communication method in any of some embodiments of the present disclosure based on instructions stored in the memory 1110.

[0184] The memory 1110 may, for example, include system memory, fixed non-volatile storage media, etc. The system memory may, for example, store an operating system, application programs, a Boot Loader, a database, and other programs, etc.

[0185] FIG. 12 shows a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 12, the apparatus 120 of this embodiment includes a memory 1210 and a processor 1220, which are similar to the memory 1110 and the processor 1120 respectively. It can also include an input / output interface 1230, a network interface 1240, a storage interface 1250, etc. These interfaces 1230, 1240, 1250 and the memory 1210 and the processor 1220 may, for example, be connected through a bus 1260. The input / output interface 1230 provides a connection interface for display, mouse, keyboard, touch screen and other input / output devices. The network interface 1240 provides a connection interface for various networking devices, which may, for example, be connected to a database server or a cloud storage server, etc. The storage interface 1250 provides a connection interface for external storage devices such as SD cards, U disks, etc.

[0186] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that the program, when executed by a processor, implements any of the preceding communication methods.

[0187] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the communication method according to any of the preceding communication methods.

[0188] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the disclosure can be supplied as a method, a system, or a computer program product. Thus, the disclosure can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the disclosure can take the form of a computer program product on one or more computer-usable non-transitory storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, etc.) embodying computer readable program code thereon for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. Program Code

[0189] The disclosure is described in reference to the flowchart and / or block diagrams of the method, apparatus (system) and computer program product according to embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood that each flow and / or block in the flowchart and / or block diagrams, and a combination of flows and / or blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagrams can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, an embedded processor or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, so that the instructions, which are executed via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate means for implementing the functions specified in one or more flows in the flowchart and / or one or more blocks in the block diagram.

[0190] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce a manufactured product including instruction means, which implements the functions specified in one or more flows in the flowchart and / or one or more blocks in the block diagram.

[0191] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, so that a series of operational steps are performed on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to generate a computer implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flows in the flowchart and / or one or more blocks in the block diagram.

[0192] The above description is only the preferred embodiment of the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the disclosure. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the disclosure shall be included in the protection scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A communication method, performed by a network data analytics function (NWDAF), comprising: receiving a data connection establishment request sent by a network function (NF), wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; sending a data connection establishment response to the NF, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NWDAF accepts the network protocol type. 2.A communication method, performed by a data analytics function (DAF), comprising: receiving a data connection establishment request sent by a network function (NF), wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; sending a data connection establishment response to the NF, wherein the data connection establishment response comprises a data connection setup result.

3. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The network protocol type comprises at least one of an application layer protocol type, a network layer protocol type, and a transport layer protocol type.

4. The communication method according to claim 3, wherein, The application layer protocol type is any one of a second generation hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP 2.0), a third generation hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP 3.0), a file transfer protocol (FTP), a remote direct memory access (RDMA), and a message queue protocol (Kafka). The network layer protocol type and the transport layer protocol type comprise any one of a user datagram protocol (UDP), a transmission control protocol (TCP), and a quick UDP internet connections (QUIC).

5. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The data connection establishment request further comprises a type of the NF, and the type of the NF is at least one of a DAF, a session management function (SMF), a policy control function (PCF), a unified data management function (UDM), a network exposure function (NEF), a user plane function (UPF), an access and mobility management function (AMF), a unified data repository function (UDR), a network access control function (NACF), a capability exposure function (CEF), and a unified subscription function (USM).

6. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The data connection establishment request further comprises an identity of the NF and a recovery timestamp.

7. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, In a case where the NF is the UPF, the application layer protocol type comprised in the network protocol type is the FTP.

8. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, In a case where the NF is also the DAF, the application layer protocol type comprised in the network protocol type is the RDMA, and the network layer protocol type and the transport layer protocol type are the UDP.

9. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The NF is the UPF or a control plane NF of a core network, and the control plane NF of the core network comprises at least one of the NACF, the SMF, the PCF, the CEF, and the USM.

10. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The data connection establishment request is carried by HTTP connection request signaling between the NF and the DAF.

11. The communication method according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein, The data connection setup result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setup result comprises any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, and a server internal error.

12. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The data connection establishment request is used to establish a data connection suitable for transmitting user behavior data.

13. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising: In a case where the data connection establishment response indicates that the DAF accepts the network protocol type, data transmission or signaling transmission is performed between the DAF and the NF based on the network protocol type. 14.A communication method, performed by a network data analytics function (NWDAF), comprising: sending, to a network function NF, a data connection establishment request, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; receiving a data connection establishment response sent by the NF, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NF accepts the network protocol type.

15. A communication method performed by a data analytics function DAF, comprising: sending, to a network function NF, a data connection establishment request, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; receiving a data connection establishment response sent by the NF, wherein the data connection establishment response comprises a data connection setup result.

16. The communication method according to claim 15, wherein The data connection setup result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setup result comprises any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, a server internal error.

17. The communication method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein, The network protocol type comprises at least one of an application layer protocol type, a network layer protocol type, and a transport layer protocol type.

18. The communication method according to claim 17, wherein, The application layer protocol type is any one of any one of a second generation hypertext transfer protocol HTTP 2.0, a third generation hypertext transfer protocol HTTP 3.0, a file transfer protocol FTP, a remote direct memory access RDMA, and a message queue protocol Kafka. The network layer protocol type and the transport layer protocol type comprise any one of a user datagram protocol UDP, a transmission control protocol TCP, and a quick UDP internet connections QUIC.

19. The communication method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein, The data connection establishment request further comprises a type of the DAF, and the NF is a DAF.

20. The communication method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein, The data connection establishment request further comprises an identity of the DAF and a recovery timestamp.

21. The communication method according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein, The NF is at least one of a DAF, a session management function SMF, a policy control function PCF, a unified data management function UDM, a network exposure function NEF, a user plane function UPF, an access and mobility management function AMF, a unified data repository function UDR, a network access control function NACF, a capability exposure function CEF, and a unified subscription function USM.

22. The communication method according to any one of claims 14 to 21, wherein, In a case where the NF is the UPF, the application layer protocol type comprised in the network protocol type is the FTP.

23. The communication method according to any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein, In a case where the NF is also the DAF, the application layer protocol type comprised in the network protocol type is the RDMA, the network layer protocol type is the UDP, and the transport layer protocol type is the UDP.

24. The communication method according to any one of claims 14 to 23, wherein, The data connection establishment request is carried by HTTP connection request signaling between the NF and the DAF.

25. The communication method according to any one of claims 14 to 24, further comprising: In a case where the data connection establishment response indicates that the NF accepts the network protocol type, data transmission or signaling transmission is performed between the DAF and the NF based on the network protocol type.

26. A communication method performed by a network function NF, comprising: sending, to a network data analytics function NWDAF, a data connection establishment request, wherein the data connection establishment request comprises a network protocol type; receiving a data connection establishment response sent by the NWDAF, wherein the data connection establishment response indicates whether the NWDAF accepts the network protocol type. 27.A communication method performed by a network function (NF), comprising: sending, to a data analytics function (DAF), a data connection setup request, wherein the data connection setup request comprises a network protocol type; receiving a data connection setup response sent by the DAF, wherein the data connection setup response comprises a data connection setup result.

28. The communication method of claim 27, wherein, The data connection setup result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setup result comprises any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, and a server internal error. 29.A communication method performed by a network function (NF), comprising: receiving a data connection setup request sent by a network data analytics function (NWDAF), wherein the data connection setup request comprises a network protocol type; sending, to the NWDAF, a data connection setup response, wherein the data connection setup response indicates whether the NF accepts the network protocol type. 30.A communication method performed by a network function (NF), comprising: receiving a data connection setup request sent by a data analytics function (DAF), wherein the data connection setup request comprises a network protocol type; sending, to the DAF, a data connection setup response, wherein the data connection setup response comprises a data connection setup result.

31. The communication method according to claim 30, wherein The data connection setup result indicates that the DAF accepts or rejects the negotiated protocol type, and the data connection setup result comprises any one of an established connection, an input parameter error, and a server internal error. 32.A communication apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor for storing instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 31. The program, when executed by the processor, implements the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 31.

33. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program, wherein, 34.A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 31. ​

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