Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, which are applied to the technical field of communications. The method comprises: a terminal device sending a first message to a first network element, so as to request the establishment of a first session, wherein the first session is associated with at least one computing service and / or at least one computing resource; receiving from the first network element a first response message, which comprises address information of a second network element, wherein the second network element is used for providing a service for at least one sub-session corresponding to the first session; on the basis of the address information of the second network element, sending a second message to the second network element, so as to request the establishment of a first sub-session; and receiving from the second network element a second response message, which comprises address information of a first computing node, wherein the first sub-session is used for carrying a first computing service and / or data corresponding to the first computing service, and the first computing node is used for providing the first computing service and / or data obtained by means of the first computing resource. By means of the present application, a session in which a computing service and / or a computing resource is used as a processing object can be established.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411402698.X, filed on September 30, 2024, and entitled “A Communication Method and Apparatus”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0004] A core network manages the state of policy enforcement such as data flow (or packet) charging or quality of service guarantee in a user's service access process by establishing a session. The processing object of the session is data flow. With the emergence of perception services, intelligent services and other services that depend on computing services and / or computing resources, how to establish a session with computing services and / or computing resources as the processing object needs further research. SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for establishing a session with computing services and / or computing resources as the processing object.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a terminal device; or can be applied to an apparatus (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a system in package (SIP) chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) in a terminal device; or can be applied to a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of a terminal device.

[0007] With the method applied to a terminal device as an example, the method can include: the terminal device sends a first message to a first network element, the first message being used to request establishment of a first session; receives a first response message from the first network element, the first response message including address information of a second network element, the second network element being used to provide service for at least one sub-session corresponding to the first session; sends a second message to the second network element according to the address information of the second network element, the second message being used to request establishment of a first sub-session, the first sub-session belonging to the at least one sub-session; receives a second response message from the second network element, the second response message including address information of a first computing node. Wherein, the first session is associated with at least one computing service, the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing service, the first computing node is used to provide the first computing service, and the first computing service belongs to the at least one computing service; and / or, the first session is associated with at least one technical resource, the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing resource, the first computing node is used to provide the first computing resource, and the first computing resource belongs to the at least one computing resource.

[0008] Exemplarily, the computing service can include but is not limited to at least one of the following: artificial intelligence (AI) inference, rendering, image recognition, or image rendering, etc.

[0009] Exemplarily, the computing resource can include but is not limited to at least one of the following: central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), neural network processing unit (NPU), or data processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0010] Exemplarily, the data corresponding to the first computing service can include but is not limited to: data related to the first computing service provided by the terminal device, and / or data obtained by the first computing node providing the first computing service.

[0011] Exemplarily, the first sub-session being used to carry data corresponding to the first computing resource can include but is not limited to: data related to the first computing resource provided by the terminal device, and / or data obtained by the first computing node providing the first computing resource.

[0012] In the technical solution, the first session established between the terminal device and the second network element is associated with at least one computing service and / or at least one computing resource, and the first sub-session between the terminal device and the first computing node is used to carry data corresponding to the first computing service and / or the first computing resource, thereby implementing establishment of a session that takes a computing service and / or a computing resource as a processing object. In this application, the first session can be understood as a control plane corresponding session, and the computing service and / or the computing resource do not need to be used, the first sub-session can be understood as a user plane corresponding session, and the computing service and / or the computing resource need to be provided, so that the sessions are established from the control plane and the user plane respectively, different computing service requirements and / or computing resource provision can be provided according to different tasks, and user experience is improved.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the second response message further includes first address information of the terminal device, and the first address information is used for communication between the terminal device and the first computing node; or the first response message further includes second address information of the terminal device, and the second address information is used for communication between the terminal device and a computing node corresponding to each sub-session in the at least one sub-session.

[0014] In the technical solution, different sub-sessions can use different address information of the terminal device, so that data of the terminal device can be directly transmitted to the corresponding computing node through the access network element, transmission delay is reduced, and user experience is improved. Alternatively, a plurality of sub-sessions can share one address information of the terminal device, so that address resources are saved, and the communication scenario of address resource shortage is facilitated.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receives first indication information from the first network element, and the first indication information is used to indicate that a type of a session allowed to be established by the terminal device includes a session associated with a computing service and / or a session associated with a computing resource.

[0016] In the technical solution, the terminal device obtains authorization of establishing a session associated with a computing service and / or a session associated with a computing resource according to the first indication information, and then can request to establish the session when there is a computing service and / or a computing resource requirement.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is carried in a user equipment routing selection policy rule of a user equipment policy message.

[0018] In the technical solution, the user equipment routing selection policy rule of the user equipment policy message is multiplexed, and is easy to implement.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the first computing service and / or the first computing resource are used to execute a first task, and the method further can include: releasing, by the terminal device, the first sub-session after the first task is executed.

[0020] In the technical solution, the first sub-session is released in time after the first task is executed, so that the resource occupied by the first sub-session can be released in time, and the resource utilization rate can be improved.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the first session is associated with a first charging policy, and the first charging policy includes a charging policy corresponding to the at least one computing service and / or a charging policy corresponding to the at least one computing resource.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the first sub-session is associated with a second charging policy, and the second charging policy includes a charging policy corresponding to the first computing service and / or a charging policy corresponding to the first computing resource.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the priority of the second charging policy is higher than the priority of the first charging policy.

[0024] In the technical solution, the priority of the charging policy associated with the first sub-session is higher than the priority of the charging policy associated with the first session, so that the terminal device can be charged according to the second charging policy when the first computing service and / or the first computing resource are provided.

[0025] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a second network element, or can be applied to a device (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for a communication function (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or an IP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor) in the second network element; or can be applied to a logic node, a logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the second network element.

[0026] For example, the method can be applied to the second network element, and the method can include: receiving, by the second network element, a second message from a terminal device, the second message being used to request establishment of a first sub-session, wherein the first sub-session belongs to at least one sub-session corresponding to a first session; and sending, by the second network element, a second response message to the terminal device, the second response message including address information of a first computing node. The first session is associated with at least one computing service, the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing service, the first computing node is used to provide the first computing service, and the first computing service belongs to the at least one computing service; and / or the first session is associated with at least one technical resource, the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing resource, the first computing node is used to provide the first computing resource, and the first computing resource belongs to the at least one computing resource.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the method can further include: receiving, by the second network element, a third message from the first network element, the third message being used to request establishment of the first session; and sending, by the second network element, address information of the second network element to the first network element.

[0028] In the technical solution, the second network element can obtain the address information of the second network element by interacting with the first network element.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the method can further include: allocating, by the second network element, second address information for the terminal device according to the third message, wherein the second address information is used for communication between the terminal device and a computing node corresponding to each sub-session in the at least one sub-session; and sending, by the second network element, the second address information to the first network element.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the method can further include: sending, by the second network element, the second address information to an access network element corresponding to the terminal device, so that the access network element can forward data from the first computing node to the terminal device.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the method can further include: allocating, by the second network element, first address information for the terminal device according to the second message, wherein the first address information is used for communication between the terminal device and the first computing node, and the second response message further includes the first address information.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the method can further include: sending, by the second network element, the first address information to an access network element corresponding to the terminal device.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending, by the second network element, address information of the first computing node to an access network element corresponding to the terminal device, so that the access network element forwards data from the terminal device to the first computing node.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending, by the second network element, a message for requesting establishment of the first sub-session to the first computing node; and receiving address information of the first computing node from the first computing node.

[0035] In the technical solution, the second network element can obtain the address information of the second network element by interacting with the first computing node.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: determining, by the second network element, the first computing node according to the second message.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: determining, by the second network element, at least one computing node for providing service for the first session during establishment of the first session; and determining, by the second network element, the first computing node from the at least one computing node according to the second message.

[0038] In the technical solution, the second network element can determine a set of computing nodes during establishment of the first session, and select a suitable computing node from the set of computing nodes to provide the first computing service and / or the first computing resource after receiving the second message; or, the second network element can also determine a suitable computing node to provide the first computing service and / or the first computing resource according to the second message, and there are various implementation manners that can adapt to different communication scenarios.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the first computing service and / or the first computing resource are used for executing a first task, and the method further includes: releasing, by the second network element, the first sub-session after the first task is executed.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the first session is associated with a first charging policy, and the first charging policy includes a charging policy corresponding to the at least one computing service and / or a charging policy corresponding to the at least one computing resource.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the first sub-session is associated with a second charging policy, and the second charging policy includes a charging policy corresponding to the first computing service and / or a charging policy corresponding to the first computing resource.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the priority of the second charging policy is higher than the priority of the first charging policy.

[0043] The technical effects achieved by the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof can be referred to the technical effects achieved by the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, which will not be repeated here.

[0044] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be applied to a first network element, or a device (e.g., a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or an IP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor) in the first network element; or a logic node, a logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the first network element.

[0045] Taking the method applied to the first network element as an example, the method can include: receiving, by the first network element, a first message from a terminal device, the first message being used to request establishment of a first session, wherein the first session is associated with at least one computing service and / or the first session is associated with at least one computing resource; determining that a second network element provides services for at least one sub-session corresponding to the first session; and sending, by the first network element, a first response message to the terminal device, the first response message including address information of the second network element.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the method can further include: sending, by the first network element, a third message to the second network element, the third message being used to request establishment of the first session; and receiving, by the first network element, the address information of the second network element from the second network element.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the method can further include: receiving, by the first network element, second address information of the terminal device from the second network element, the first response message further including the second address information; and wherein the second address information is used for communication between the terminal device and a computing node corresponding to each of the at least one sub-session.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the method can further include: sending, by the first network element, first indication information to the terminal device, the first indication information being used to indicate that a type of session allowed to be established by the terminal device includes a session associated with a computing service and / or a session associated with a computing resource.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the first network element sending the first indication information to the terminal device can include: sending, by the first network element, the first indication information to the terminal device according to user subscription data of the terminal device and / or a user policy of the terminal device, wherein the user subscription data and / or the user policy are used to indicate that the terminal device supports establishment of a session associated with a computing service and / or a session associated with a computing resource.

[0050] In the technical solution, the first network element can authorize the terminal device to establish a session associated with a computing service and / or a session associated with a computing resource according to user subscription data of the terminal device and / or a user policy.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the user policy indicates that the terminal device supports establishing a session associated with a computing service by at least one of the following: flow description information corresponding to the computing service, or information about a task associated with the at least one sub-session; and / or, the user policy indicates that the terminal device supports establishing a session associated with a computing resource by at least one of the following: flow description information corresponding to the computing resource, or information about a task associated with the at least one sub-session.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is carried in a user equipment routing selection policy rule of the user equipment policy message.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the first session is associated with a first charging policy, and the first charging policy includes a charging policy corresponding to the at least one computing service and / or a charging policy corresponding to the at least one computing resource.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the first sub-session is associated with a second charging policy, and the second charging policy includes a charging policy corresponding to the first computing service and / or a charging policy corresponding to the first computing resource.

[0055] In a possible implementation, the second charging policy has a higher priority than the first charging policy.

[0056] The technical effects achieved by the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof can be referred to the technical effects achieved by the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, which will not be repeated here.

[0057] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be used to execute the method in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The communication apparatus can be a terminal device, or can be an apparatus in a terminal device. The communication apparatus can include modules, units, or means corresponding to the modules, units, or means for implementing the method in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a baseband apparatus and a radio frequency apparatus.

[0059] In an alternative possible implementation, the communication device can include a processing module (also sometimes referred to as a processing unit) and a transceiving module (also sometimes referred to as a transceiving unit). The transceiving module can implement the transmitting function and the receiving function. When the transceiving module implements the transmitting function, it can be referred to as a transmitting module (also sometimes referred to as a transmitting unit). When the transceiving module implements the receiving function, it can be referred to as a receiving module (also sometimes referred to as a receiving unit). The transmitting module and the receiving module can be the same functional module, which is referred to as the transceiving module, and the transceiving module can implement the transmitting function and the receiving function. Alternatively, the transmitting module and the receiving module can be different functional modules, and the transceiving module is a collective term for these functional modules.

[0060] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, which can be used to execute the method in the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect. The communication device can be the second network element, or can be a device in the second network element. The communication device can include a module, a unit, or a means corresponding to the method in the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0061] In a possible implementation, the communication device can include a baseband device and a radio frequency device.

[0062] In an alternative possible implementation, the communication device can include a processing module (also sometimes referred to as a processing unit) and a transceiving module (also sometimes referred to as a transceiving unit). The transceiving module can implement the transmitting function and the receiving function. When the transceiving module implements the transmitting function, it can be referred to as a transmitting module (also sometimes referred to as a transmitting unit). When the transceiving module implements the receiving function, it can be referred to as a receiving module (also sometimes referred to as a receiving unit). The transmitting module and the receiving module can be the same functional module, which is referred to as the transceiving module, and the transceiving module can implement the transmitting function and the receiving function. Alternatively, the transmitting module and the receiving module can be different functional modules, and the transceiving module is a collective term for these functional modules.

[0063] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be used to execute the method in the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect. The communication apparatus can be a first network element or a device in the first network element. The communication apparatus can include modules, units, or means corresponding to the modules or units in the method in the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect, and the modules, units or means can be implemented by hardware, software or by a combination of hardware and software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a baseband apparatus and a radio frequency apparatus.

[0065] In another possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a processing module (also referred to as a processing unit) and a transceiver module (also referred to as a transceiver unit). The transceiver module can implement the transmitting function and the receiving function. When the transceiver module implements the transmitting function, it can be referred to as a transmitting module (also referred to as a transmitting unit). When the transceiver module implements the receiving function, it can be referred to as a receiving module (also referred to as a receiving unit). The transmitting module and the receiving module can be the same functional module, which is referred to as a transceiver module and can implement the transmitting function and the receiving function. Alternatively, the transmitting module and the receiving module can be different functional modules, and the transceiver module refers to the functional modules collectively.

[0066] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which can include at least two of the following: the communication apparatus provided in the fourth aspect, the communication apparatus provided in the fifth aspect, or the communication apparatus provided in the sixth aspect.

[0067] In an eighth 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 is configured to store one or more computer programs or instructions. The one or more processors are configured to execute the one or more computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication apparatus performs the method in any one of the first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0068] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive a signal from another communication apparatus outside the communication apparatus and transmit the signal to the processor, or transmit a signal from the processor to another communication apparatus outside the communication apparatus. The processor is configured to implement the method in any one of the first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect by a logic circuit or by executing computer programs or instructions.

[0069] In some possible design, the apparatus is a chip system, which can be composed of a chip or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0070] In a tenth aspect, the present application also provides a chip system, which includes at least one chip and a memory, and the at least one chip is configured to read and execute a program stored in the memory, so as to implement the method in any one of the first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof.

[0071] In an eleventh aspect, the present application also provides a computer readable storage medium, which is configured to store a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the method in any one of the first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof is implemented.

[0072] In a twelfth aspect, the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed on a computer, the method in any one of the first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof is implemented.

[0073] The technical effects achieved by the fourth aspect to the twelfth aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof can refer to the technical effects achieved by any one of the first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0074] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of address information of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a flow of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a flow of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a structure of another communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG. 9 is a structural schematic diagram of another communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] In order to make the purpose, 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.

[0084] The communication system and service scenarios described in the embodiments of 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. Those skilled in the art can know 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.

[0085] Firstly, in the embodiments of the present application, "multiple" can mean two or more than two. In view of this, "multiple" can also be understood as "at least two" in the embodiments of the present application. "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, and specifically can exist in three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent the following 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 associated objects before and after it.

[0086] Secondly, 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.

[0087] In the embodiments of the present application, the ordinal numbers "first", "second" and the like 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 network element and the second network element involved in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish different network elements, and do not limit the priority or importance of these network elements.

[0088] Thirdly, the terms "include" and "have" and any variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product or device containing a series of steps or units does not have to be limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but can include other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0089] Four, in the present application, "predefined" can include predefinition, for example, protocol definition. Wherein, "predefined" can be realized by pre-storing corresponding code, table or other means for indicating related information in the device (for example, including various network elements), the present application does not limit the specific implementation thereof.

[0090] Five, the present application relates to "storage" or "save", can refer to save in one or more memory. The one or more memory, can be separately provided, can also be integrated in the encoder or decoder, processor, or communication device. The one or more memory, can also be a part of separate setting, a part of integrated in the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, not limited.

[0091] Six, the arrow or block shown in the schematic diagram of the drawing part of the present application specification represents an optional step or optional module.

[0092] Seven, in the present application, "indication" can include direct indication, indirect indication, display indication, implicit indication. When describing a certain indication information is used to indicate A, it can be understood that the indication information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0093] In the present application, the information indicated by the indication information is referred to as the to-be-indicated information. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the to-be-indicated information, for example, but not limited to, the to-be-indicated information can be directly indicated, such as the to-be-indicated information itself or the index of the to-be-indicated information. It can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, wherein the other information and the to-be-indicated information have an association relationship. It can also only indicate a part of the to-be-indicated information, and the other part of the to-be-indicated information is known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of a specific information can also be realized by means of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (for example, protocol stipulation), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. In addition, the to-be-indicated information can be sent as a whole, or can be sent separately as multiple sub-information, and the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different.

[0094] Eight, in this application, "send" and "receive" represent the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information is XX, which can include direct transmission through the air interface, and also includes indirect transmission through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information is YY, which can include direct reception from YY through the air interface, or indirect reception from YY through the air interface from other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can be between devices, such as between an access network device and an access and mobility management function network element, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules or hardware modules within a device through a bus, wire or interface.

[0095] Nine, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "exemplarily", "such as", "for example" and the like are used to represent examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "example" in the present application should not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Rather, the word "example" is intended to present the concept in a specific way. In the embodiments of the present application, "of", "corresponding" and "corresponding" can be used interchangeably at times. It should be pointed out that when the distinction is not emphasized, the meanings expressed are consistent.

[0096] Ten, the embodiments of the present application will be presented around a system including a plurality of devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood that the system can include other devices, components, modules, etc. not mentioned, or can only include part of the devices, components, or modules mentioned in the embodiments. Alternatively, "component" and "part" in the present application can be replaced with each other.

[0097] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example, a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi or WiFi) system, a fourth generation (4G) mobile communication system (such as a long term evolution (LTE) system), a fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system (such as a new radio (NR) system), or a future communication system. The method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a terrestrial network communication system or a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system. The NTN communication system may, for example, be a satellite communication system, or may include a drone, a high altitude platform station (HAPS), and other aerial access network devices, and the present application does not limit this.

[0098] FIG. 1 exemplarily shows a schematic diagram of a communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system 10 can also include an Internet 300.

[0099] The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (such as 110a and 110b in FIG. 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (such as 120a-120j in FIG. 1, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 can also include other RAN nodes, such as a wireless relay device and / or a wireless backhaul device (not shown in FIG. 1), etc. The terminal 120 is connected to the RAN node 110 in a wireless manner. The RAN node 110 is connected to the core network 200 in a wireless or wired manner. The core network device in the core network 200 and the RAN node 110 in the RAN 100 can be different physical devices respectively, or can be the same physical device integrated with the logical functions of the core network and the logical functions of the radio access network.

[0100] The RAN 100 can be a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) related cellular system, e.g., a 4G, 5G mobile communication system, or a future evolvement thereof. The RAN 100 can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a WiFi system. The RAN 100 can also be a communication system that combines two or more of the above systems.

[0101] The RAN nodes 110, which can also be referred to as RAN entities or access nodes, form part of the communication system 100 and are configured to facilitate wireless access to the communication system 100 for terminals. The RAN nodes 110 in the communication system 100 can be of the same type or of different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the RAN nodes 110 and the terminals 120 are relative, e.g., a net element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured to be a mobile base station. For a terminal 120j that accesses the RAN 100 via the net element 120i, the net element 120i is a base station. But for a base station 110a, the net element 120i is a terminal. The RAN nodes 110 and the terminals 120 are sometimes referred to as communication devices, e.g., the net elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication devices with base station functionalities, and the net elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functionalities.

[0102] The RAN nodes can also be referred to as access network devices or access network elements. In the following, the RAN nodes are referred to as access network elements unless specified otherwise.

[0103] The access network elements can be devices or modules with corresponding communication functions located at the network side of the above communication system. The access network elements usually have communication modules, circuits or chips configured to perform corresponding communication functions. The access network elements also have programs or instructions configured to perform corresponding communication functions and the corresponding programs or instructions.

[0104] In a possible scenario, the access network element can be a base station (BS), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission point (TP), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a mobile switching center, a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation NodeB in a future communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The access network element can be a macro base station (e.g., 110a in FIG. 1), a micro base station or an indoor station (e.g., 110b in FIG. 1), a relay node or a donor node, a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario, a satellite, a drone, a balloon, or an airplane, etc. Alternatively, the access network element can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, the access network element in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the access network element in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0105] In another possible scenario, multiple access network elements cooperate to assist a terminal to implement wireless access, and different access network elements respectively implement part of the functions of a base station. For example, the access network element can be a central unit (CU) or a control unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0106] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or 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 an open CU (O-CU), the DU can also be referred to as an open DU (O-DU), the CU-CP can also be referred to as an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), the CU-UP can also be referred to as an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and the RU can also be referred to as an open RU (O-RU). Any of the CUs (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DUs and RUs in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0107] For ease of description, the concepts of "access network element" and "site" will be mentioned together in this application. The access network element can be understood as the general term of all devices (including sites) on the access network side, for example, one or more sites can be collectively referred to as an access network element. The site can refer to a transmission node that is specifically located at a physical location. In other words, the access network element conceptually includes the site.

[0108] The terminal can be a device or module with corresponding communication functions for accessing the above communication system. The terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal device, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote station, a user terminal device, a user agent, or a user device, etc. The terminal is usually provided with a communication module, circuit or chip for executing corresponding communication functions. The terminal can also be configured with programs or instructions for executing corresponding communication functions.

[0109] The terminal can be widely applied to various scenarios, for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, automatic driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart traffic, smart city, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a wearable device, a vehicle, a drone, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a mechanical arm, a smart home device, etc. Among them, the wearable device can also be called a wearable smart device or a smart wearable device, etc., which is a general term of devices that can be worn by applying wearable technology to the intelligent design of daily wear. The terminal applied to the vehicle can be called a vehicle terminal device, for example, a transportation vehicle with wireless communication function, a communication module or an on-board unit (OBU).

[0110] For example, the terminal can include a mobile phone (or called "cellular" phone), a computer with mobile terminal device, or a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded mobile device, etc. For example, the terminal can be a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. The terminal can also include a limited device, for example, a device with limited power consumption, or a device with limited storage capacity, or a device with limited computing capacity, etc. For example, the terminal can be a bar code, a radio frequency identification (RFID), a sensor, a global positioning system (GPS), or a laser scanner, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal.

[0111] In this application, the core network device refers to a device in the core network that provides service support for the terminal. For example, in the case of CN200 as the core network in the future communication system, or the 5G core network, or the evolved 5G core network, some examples of core network devices are: access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, session management function (SMF) network element, user plane function (UPF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, and the like, which are not listed one by one here. Among them, the AMF network element can be responsible for access management and mobility management of the terminal; the SMF network element can be responsible for session management, such as session establishment of the user, etc.; the UPF network element can be a functional entity of the user plane, mainly responsible for connecting external networks. For example, in the case of CN200 as a 4G core network, some examples of core network devices are: mobility management entity (MME) network element, home subscriber server (HSS) network element, serving gateway (S-GW) network element, policy and charging rules function (PCRF) network element, public data network gateway (PDN gateway, P-GW) network element, and the like, which are not listed one by one here. It should be noted that the network element in this application can also be referred to as an entity or a functional entity, for example, the AMF network element can also be referred to as an AMF entity or an AMF functional entity. For example, the SMF network element can also be referred to as an SMF entity or an SMF functional entity, etc. The above-mentioned core network devices can work independently, or can be combined together to realize certain control functions, such as: AMF, SMF and PCF can be combined together as a core network device.

[0112] Among them, the core network can be divided into control plane network elements and user plane network elements. The control plane network element is, for example, an access management function network element, a unified data management network element, a session management function network element, or a policy control function network element, etc. The user plane network element is, for example, a user plane function network element. Some network elements in the core network are introduced as follows.

[0113] The access management function network element is responsible for access control and mobility management of terminal equipment accessing the operator network, such as mobile state management, allocation of user temporary identity, authentication and authorization, and the like. In the 5G communication system, the access management function network element can be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element. In future communication systems, the access management function network element can also have other names, which are not limited.

[0114] The unified data management network element is responsible for generating authentication credentials, user identity processing (such as storing and managing user permanent identity), subscription data management, and the like. In the 5G communication system, the unified data management network element can be a unified data management (UDM) network element. In future communication systems, the unified data management network element can also have other names, which are not limited.

[0115] The session management function network element is mainly responsible for session management in a mobile network, such as session establishment, modification, or release, and the like. The session management function network element can also allocate an internet protocol (IP) address for a user, select a user plane function network element providing message forwarding functions, and the like. In the 5G communication system, the session management function network element can be a session management function (SMF) network element. In future communication systems, the session management function network element can also have other names, which are not limited.

[0116] The policy control function network element mainly provides policy rules and is responsible for obtaining user subscription information related to policy decision. In the 4G communication system, the policy control function network element can be a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) network element. In the 5G communication system, the policy control function network element can be a policy control function (PCF) network element. In future communication systems, the policy control function network element can also have other names, which are not limited. The PCF connected with the AMF and the SMF corresponds to an AM PCF (PCF for access and mobility control) and an SM PCF (PCF for session management), which can not be the same PCF entity in actual deployment scenarios.

[0117] The user plane function network element is responsible for receiving and forwarding user data. For example, user data can be received from a DN and transmitted to a terminal device through an access network device; the user plane function network element can also receive user data from a terminal device through an access network device and forward it to a DN. In the 5G communication system, the user plane function network element can be a user plane function (UPF) network element. In future communication systems, the user plane function network element can also have other names, which are not limited.

[0118] As introduced above, some network elements related to the core network are introduced. It can be understood that the core network can also involve other network elements, for example, the core network can also include one or more of the following: a unified data repository (UDR) network element, a network slice selection function (NSSF) network element, or a network exposure function (NEF) network element, etc. The "network element" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be replaced by "device". For example, the core network network element and the core network device express the same meaning. Alternatively, the device name mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can omit "network element". For example, AMF network element and AMF express the same meaning.

[0119] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and device for establishing a session with a computing service and / or computing resource as a processing object. The method and device described in the present application are based on the same technical concept. Since the principles of the method and device for solving problems are similar, the implementation of the device and the method can be mutually referred to, and the repeated parts will not be described again.

[0120] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings. The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application involves the interaction of a terminal device, a first network element and a second network element. Exemplarily, the "terminal device" in the present application can be the terminal device itself, or can be a device (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for a communication function (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) in the terminal device, or can be a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the terminal device function. Similarly, the "first network element" in the present application can be the first network element itself, or can be a device (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for a communication function (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) in the first network element, or can be a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the first network element function. The "second network element" in the present application can be the second network element itself, or can be a device (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for a communication function (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) in the second network element, or can be a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the second network element function.

[0121] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication system 20 includes a terminal device, an access network element, a first network element and a second network element. Optionally, the communication system 20 can further include at least one computing node, of which computing node #1 and computing node #2 are exemplarily shown in FIG. 2. Wherein, the terminal device can communicate with at least one of the first network element, the second network element and the computing node through the access network element.

[0122] Wherein, the first network element can provide the terminal device with access related to a computing service and / or a computing resource. In the present application, the first network element can receive a request from the terminal device for establishing a session related to the computing service and / or the computing resource, and select a suitable network element to provide service for the session.

[0123] Optionally, the first network element can be referred to as an access network function, and the naming of the first network element in the embodiments of the present application is not limited.

[0124] Optionally, the first network element can be an AMF network element, or can be a network agent, or can be another network element other than the AMF network element and the network agent. The implementation form of the first network element in the embodiments of the present application is not limited.

[0125] Exemplarily, the computing service can include, but is not limited to, at least one of: artificial intelligence (AI) inference, rendering, image recognition, or image rendering, and the like.

[0126] Exemplarily, the computing resource can include, but is not limited to, at least one of: a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural network processing unit (NPU), or a data processing unit (DPU), and the like.

[0127] The second network element can provide services for a session related to the computing service and / or the computing resource. For example, the second network element can be a control plane network function element corresponding to the session related to the computing service and / or the computing resource. In this application, the second network element can select a computing node to provide the computing service and / or the computing resource according to a task requirement or the like.

[0128] Optionally, the second network element can be referred to as a computing management function (CMF) network element, and the naming and implementation form of the second network element are not limited in this application embodiment.

[0129] The computing node can provide the computing service and / or the computing resource for the terminal device.

[0130] Optionally, the computing node can be referred to as a computing processing function (CPF) network element, and the naming and implementation form of the computing node are not limited in this application embodiment.

[0131] The terminal device and the access network element are described in the related description of FIG. 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0132] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the application. As shown in FIG. 3, the method includes the following contents.

[0133] S301: The terminal device sends a first message to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the first message from the terminal device.

[0134] The first message can be used to request establishment (or creation) of the first session. For example, the terminal device can send the first message to the first network element to request establishment of the first session according to the requirement of the first service on the computing service and / or the computing resource.

[0135] The descriptions of the terms such as the first network element, the computing service, and the computing resource can refer to the foregoing content, and will not be repeated here.

[0136] The first session can be a protocol data unit (PDU) session, for example, without limitation. Optionally, the first message can be referred to as a computing session establishment request message, a computing PDU session establishment request message, or a PDU session establishment request message, and the naming of the first message in the present application is not limited. Optionally, the first session can be referred to as a computing session or a computing PDU session, and the naming of the first session in the present application is not limited.

[0137] The first session can be associated with at least one computing service, or the first session can be associated with at least one computing resource, or the first session can be associated with at least one computing service and at least one computing resource.

[0138] For example, the first session is associated with at least one computing service, which can be understood as that the first session can be used to carry control plane messages of the at least one computing service, or can be understood as that the first session is associated with a first charging policy, the first charging policy including a charging policy corresponding to the at least one computing service, or can be understood as that the first session is associated with a first quality of service (QoS) policy (for example, a delay or a bandwidth), the first QoS policy being a QoS policy corresponding to the at least one computing service. The control plane message can be a non-access stratum (NAS) message, for example, and the present application is not limited in this regard.

[0139] Exemplarily, the first session is associated with the at least one computing resource, which can be understood as that the first session can be used to carry control plane messages of the at least one computing resource, or can be understood as that the first session is associated with a first charging policy including charging policies corresponding to the at least one computing resource, or can be understood as that the first session is associated with a first QoS policy including QoS policies corresponding to the at least one computing resource. The control plane messages can be NAS messages, which are not limited in the application.

[0140] In an implementation, the first session can be associated with a first charging policy, which can include charging policies corresponding to the at least one computing service and / or charging policies corresponding to the at least one computing resource. For example, the first charging policy includes charging policies corresponding to the at least one computing service (e.g., token seconds or core hours), and the first session is associated with the first charging policy, which can be understood as that the computing service requested by the terminal device through the first session is charged according to the first charging policy. For another example, the first charging policy includes charging policies corresponding to the at least one computing resource, and the first session is associated with the first charging policy, which can be understood as that the computing resource requested by the terminal device through the first session is charged according to the first charging policy. Optionally, the first charging policy can further include charging policies of messages to be compatible with processing of data traffic.

[0141] In an implementation, the first session can be associated with a first QoS policy, which can include QoS policies corresponding to the at least one computing service and / or QoS policies corresponding to the at least one computing resource. For example, the first QoS policy includes QoS policies corresponding to the at least one computing service, and the first session is associated with the first QoS policy, which can be understood as that QoS of related transmission of the computing service requested by the terminal device through the first session is guaranteed according to the first QoS policy. For another example, the first QoS policy includes QoS policies corresponding to the at least one computing resource, and the first session is associated with the first QoS policy, which can be understood as that QoS of related transmission of the computing resource requested by the terminal device through the first session is guaranteed according to the first QoS policy. Optionally, the first QoS policy can further include QoS policies of data traffic to be compatible with processing of data traffic.

[0142] For ease of understanding, the application records the type of the session associated with the computing service and / or the computing resource as the first type. Optionally, the first type can also be referred to as a compute type, a compute session type, or a compute PDU session type, etc. The application does not limit the naming of the first type. Optionally, the first message for requesting to establish the first session can be replaced by: the first message for requesting to establish the first session of the first type.

[0143] Optionally, the first message can include information of the first type. For example, the value of the session type field in the first message includes "Computing", indicating that the type of the first session is the first type, i.e., the type of the first session is the compute type, as shown in Table 1. Optionally, the value of the session type field can also include at least one of the following: "IPv4", "IPv6", "IPv4IPv6", "UNSTR", or "ETHER". Among them, "Computing" represents a session of the compute type. "IPv4" represents a session of the fourth version of the Internet Protocol (IPv4) address. "IPv6" represents a session of the sixth version of the Internet Protocol (IPv6) address. "IPv4IPv6" represents a PDU session of IPv4 address and IPv6 address. "UNSTR" represents a session of an unstructured data type. "ETHER" represents a session of the Ethernet type. It should be understood that each information in Table 1 is an example, and the application is not limited thereto.

[0144] Table 1

[0145] In an implementation, the terminal device can obtain an authorization (or permission) for establishing a session of the first type. Illustratively, the third network element can send first indication information to the terminal device, which can be used to indicate that the types of the sessions allowed to be established by the terminal device include the session associated with the computing service and / or the session associated with the computing resource; accordingly, the terminal device can receive the first indication information from the third network element. For example, the third network element can send the first indication information to the terminal device during the registration process, without limitation. Optionally, the first indication information is used to indicate that the types of the sessions allowed to be established by the terminal device include the session associated with the computing service and / or the session associated with the computing resource, which can be replaced by: the first indication information is used to indicate that the types of the sessions allowed to be established by the terminal device include the first type.

[0146] The third network element can be the first network element, or can be another network element. For example, the third network element can be an AMF network element. The present application does not limit the implementation form of the third network element.

[0147] In an example, the third network element can send the first indication information to the terminal device according to user subscription data of the terminal device and / or a user policy of the terminal device. For example, the first network element can determine that the terminal device supports establishing a session associated with a computing service and / or a session associated with a computing resource according to the user subscription data and / or the user policy, and send the first indication information to the terminal device. Alternatively, the terminal device supporting establishing a session associated with a computing service and / or a session associated with a computing resource can be replaced by the terminal device supporting establishing a first type of session.

[0148] For example, the third network element can obtain the user subscription data from a UDM network element, and the present application does not limit the implementation manner of the third network element obtaining the user subscription data.

[0149] The user subscription data can be used to indicate that the terminal device supports establishing a session associated with a computing service and / or a session associated with a computing resource. Alternatively, the user subscription data used to indicate that the terminal device supports establishing a session associated with a computing service and / or a session associated with a computing resource can be replaced by the user subscription data used to indicate that the terminal device supports establishing a first type of session. Alternatively, the user subscription data can include information used to indicate that the terminal device supports establishing a first type of session, which is not limited by the present application.

[0150] For example, the third network element can obtain the user policy from a PCF network element, and the present application does not limit the implementation manner of the third network element obtaining the user policy. For example, the PCF network element can obtain the user policy of the terminal device through configuration or capability exposure.

[0151] The user policy can be used to indicate that the terminal device supports establishing a session associated with a computing service and / or a session associated with a computing resource. Alternatively, the user policy used to indicate that the terminal device supports establishing a session associated with a computing service and / or a session associated with a computing resource can be replaced by the user policy used to indicate that the terminal device supports establishing a first type of session.

[0152] Optionally, the user policy can indicate the terminal device to support establishing the session associated with the computing service by at least one of the following: flow description information corresponding to the computing service, or information of a task associated with at least one sub-session of the first session. The flow description information corresponding to the computing service can be understood as flow description information related to the computing service to which the terminal device subscribes. The information of the task associated with at least one sub-session of the first session can include information of a task related to the computing service to which the terminal device subscribes.

[0153] Optionally, the user policy can indicate the terminal device to support establishing the session associated with the computing resource by at least one of the following: flow description information corresponding to the computing resource, or information of a task associated with at least one sub-session of the first session. The flow description information corresponding to the computing resource can be understood as flow description information related to the computing resource to which the terminal device subscribes. The information of the task associated with at least one sub-session of the first session can include information of a task related to the computing resource to which the terminal device subscribes.

[0154] In an example, the first indication information can be carried in a user equipment policy (UE Policy) message, and the present application is not limited thereto. For example, the third network element sends the UE Policy message to the terminal device, and the UE Policy message includes the first indication information.

[0155] Optionally, the first indication information can be carried in a user equipment route selection policy (UE route selection policy, URSP) rule of the UE Policy message. For example, the URSP rule includes a first field, and the first field is used to indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to establish the first type of session.

[0156] Optionally, the first indication information can be a route selection descriptor in the URSP rule, or the first indication information can be included in the route selection descriptor in the URSP rule. For example, the session type of the route selection descriptor in the URSP rule includes "Computing" in the value, indicating that the terminal device is allowed to establish a first type of session, i.e., the terminal device is allowed to establish a computing type of session, as shown in Table 2. Optionally, the value of the session type field can also include at least one of the following: "IPv4", "IPv6", "IPv4IPv6", "UNSTR", or "ETHER". Among them, "Computing", "IPv4", "IPv6", "IPv4IPv6", "UNSTR", and "ETHER" refer to the related description of Table 1, which will not be repeated. It should be understood that each information in Table 2 is an example, and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0157] Table 2

[0158] It should be understood that the present application does not limit the implementation of the first indication information.

[0159] It should be understood that the present application does not limit the implementation of the first indication information.

[0160] For example, the first session can be understood as a control plane session of a computing service related transmission, mainly used to carry control messages; the sub-session can be understood as a user plane session of a certain computing service or multiple computing service related transmission, mainly used to carry user plane data. For example, the sub-session can be established based on the computing service requirement of a certain task to carry the data corresponding to the computing service.

[0161] Optionally, the sub-session can also be referred to as a second session, a computing sub-session, a computing PDU sub-session, a computing task session, or a computing task PDU session, etc. The naming of the sub-session is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0162] S302: The first network element determines that the second network element provides services for at least one sub-session corresponding to the first session.

[0163] For example, the first network element selects a network element providing services for the at least one sub-session according to the first message. In the present application, the first network element selects the second network element to provide services for the at least one sub-session. The implementation of the first network element selecting a network element providing services for the at least one sub-session is not limited in the present application.

[0164] The second network element and the sub-session are the same as described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0165] S303: The first network element sends a first response message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first response message from the first network element.

[0166] The first response message includes address information of the second network element. Optionally, the address information of the second network element can be an internet protocol (IP) address of a control plane interface of the second network element. The control plane interface can be a NAS interface or other forms of interfaces, which are not limited in the present application.

[0167] Optionally, the first response message can be a response message of the first message. Optionally, the first response message can also be referred to as a computing session establishment response message, or a computing PDU session establishment response message. The naming of the first response message is not limited in the present application.

[0168] In an implementation, the first network element can obtain the address information of the second network element. For example, the second network element can send the address information of the second network element to the first network element, and accordingly, the first network element receives the address information of the second network element from the second network element. For example, the first network element can send a third message to the second network element, the third message can be used to request to establish the first session; the second network element sends the address information of the second network element to the first network element; accordingly, the first network element receives the address information of the second network element from the second network element. Optionally, the second network element can send a third response message to the first network element, the third response message includes the address information of the second network element, and the third response message is a response message of the third message. The naming of the third message and the third response message can be referred to the naming of the first message and the first response message, and will not be repeated. It should be understood that the address information of the second network element can be carried in the third response message, or can be carried in other messages, which is not limited. In addition, the present application does not limit the implementation of the first network element obtaining the address information of the second network element.

[0169] S304: The terminal device sends a second message to the second network element according to the address information of the second network element. Accordingly, the second network element receives the second message from the terminal device.

[0170] The second message can be used to request to establish the first sub-session. The first session corresponds to at least one sub-session, and the first sub-session is included in the at least one sub-session. The description of the sub-session can be referred to the foregoing content, and will not be repeated.

[0171] Optionally, the second message can be referred to as a computing sub-session establishment request message, a computing PDU sub-session establishment request message, a computing task session establishment request message, or a computing task PDU session establishment request message, etc. The naming of the second message in the embodiments of the present application is not limited.

[0172] Exemplarily, the terminal device can generate the second message according to the computing service requirement and / or the computing resource requirement of the first task, and send the second message to the second network element according to address information of the second network element. For example, the computing service requirement of the first task includes information of a first computing service, and the first computing service belongs to at least one computing service associated with the first session. For example, the computing resource requirement of the first task includes information of a first computing resource, and the first computing resource belongs to at least one computing resource associated with the first session. Optionally, the first task belongs to at least one task used to implement the first service.

[0173] Optionally, the second message can include the information of the first computing service and / or the information of the first computing resource. For example, the information of the first computing service and / or the information of the first computing resource can be carried in a task description information name of the second message, as shown in Table 3. Each information in Table 3 is taken as an example, and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0174] Table 3

[0175] S305: The second network element sends a second response message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second response message from the second network element.

[0176] The second response message includes address information of a first computing node.

[0177] Optionally, the second response message can be a response message of the second message. Optionally, the second response message can be referred to as a computing sub-session establishment response message, a computing PDU sub-session establishment response message, a computing task session establishment response message, or a computing task PDU session establishment response message, etc. The present application does not limit the naming of the second message.

[0178] The first computing node is used to provide a first computing service and / or a first computing resource. The first computing service and / or the first computing resource are used to execute a first task. The first task, the first computing service, and the first computing resource are described above, and will not be described herein.

[0179] In an example, the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing service, and the first computing node can be configured to provide the first computing service. The data corresponding to the first computing service can include, but is not limited to, data provided by a terminal device in relation to the first computing service, and / or data obtained by the first computing node in providing the first computing service.

[0180] In an example, the first computing service is image rendering, and the terminal device sends image data #1 to the first computing node via the first sub-session. The first computing node receives the image data #1 via the first sub-session, performs image rendering processing based on the image data #1 to obtain image data #2, and sends the image data #2 to the terminal device via the first sub-session. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the image data #3 via the first sub-session.

[0181] In another example, the first computing service is AI inference, and the terminal device sends input information #1 of AI inference to the first computing node via the first sub-session. The first computing node receives the image information #1 via the first sub-session, obtains information #2 based on the information #1 and an AI inference model, and sends the information #2 to the terminal device via the first sub-session. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the information #2 via the first sub-session.

[0182] In an example, the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing resource, and the first computing node can be configured to provide the first computing resource. The data corresponding to the first computing resource can include, but is not limited to, data provided by a terminal device in relation to the first computing resource, and / or data obtained by the first computing node in providing the first computing resource.

[0183] In an example, the first task is a computing task of a certain game, and the first computing resource is a CPU resource. The second network element (or the first computing node, etc.) can create a game application based on serverless technology or webassembly (WASM) technology in response to a computing task request of a certain game of the terminal device, allocate CPU resources required for installation and running of the game application, and provide the CPU resources by the first computing node. Data output by the game application running on the CPU resources can be sent to the terminal device via the first sub-session. Optionally, operation or demand data of the terminal device can also be sent to the first computing node via the first sub-session.

[0184] As another example, the first task is an image rendering task, and the first computing resource is a GPU resource. The second network element (or the first computing node, etc.) can allocate the GPU resource based on the requirement of the task in response to the image rendering task request of the terminal device. The data output by the GPU resource can be sent to the terminal device through the first sub-session. Optionally, the original image information or the requirement data of the terminal device can also be sent to the first computing node through the first sub-session.

[0185] It should be understood that the present application does not limit the implementation of the terminal device and the first computing node to transmit the data corresponding to the first computing service and / or the data corresponding to the first computing resource through the first sub-session.

[0186] In an embodiment, the second network element can determine (or select) the computing node that provides the first computing service and / or the first computing resource for the first task according to the second message. In the present application, the second network element determines the first computing node according to the second message. In an example, the second network element can determine at least one computing node (which can be referred to as a computing node set) that provides the service for the first session during the establishment of the first session; and the second network element determines the first computing node from the at least one computing node according to the second message after receiving the second message. The present application does not limit the implementation of the second network element to determine the first computing node.

[0187] In an embodiment, the second network element can obtain the address information of the first computing node. For example, the first computing node can send the address information of the first computing node to the second network element, and accordingly, the second network element receives the address information of the first computing node from the first computing node. For example, the second network element can send a message (e.g., the fourth message) for requesting to establish the first sub-session to the first computing node; the first computing node sends the address information of the first computing node to the second network element; and accordingly, the second network element receives the address information of the first computing node from the first computing node.

[0188] Optionally, the fourth message can include the information of the first computing service and / or the information of the first computing resource. For example, the second message includes the information of the first computing service, and the fourth message includes the information of the first computing service. As another example, the second message includes the information of the first computing resource, and the fourth message includes the information of the first computing resource. As another example, the second message includes the information of the first computing service and the information of the first computing resource, and the fourth message includes the information of the first computing service and the information of the first computing resource.

[0189] Optionally, the first computing node can send a fourth response message to the second network element, the fourth response message comprising address information of the first computing node, the fourth response message being a response message of the fourth message. The naming of the fourth message and the fourth response message can be referred to the naming of the second message and the second response message, and will not be described herein again. It should be understood that the address information of the first computing node can be carried in the fourth response message, or can also be carried in other messages, which is not limited.

[0190] In addition, the application does not limit the implementation manner of the second network element obtaining the address information of the first computing node.

[0191] In an implementation manner, the second network element can send the address information of the first computing node to an access network element corresponding to the terminal device; correspondingly, the access network element receives the address information of the first computing node from the second network element, so as to subsequently forward data between the terminal device and the first computing node.

[0192] In an implementation manner, the first sub-session can be associated with a second charging policy, the second charging policy comprising a charging policy corresponding to the first computing service and / or a charging policy corresponding to the first computing resource. For example, the second charging policy comprises a charging policy corresponding to the first computing service, and the first sub-session is associated with the second charging policy, which can be understood as that the first computing service requested by the terminal device through the first sub-session is charged by the second charging policy. For another example, the second charging policy comprises a charging policy corresponding to the first computing resource (for example, token seconds or core hours), and the first sub-session is associated with the second charging policy, which can be understood as that the first computing resource requested by the terminal device through the first sub-session is charged by the second charging policy. Optionally, the second charging policy can also comprise a charging policy of a packet, so as to be compatible with the processing of data traffic.

[0193] In an implementation manner, the first sub-session can be associated with a second QoS policy (for example, a delay or a bandwidth), the second QoS policy comprising a QoS policy corresponding to the first computing service and / or a QoS policy corresponding to the first computing resource. For example, the second QoS policy comprises a QoS policy corresponding to the first computing service, and the first sub-session is associated with the second QoS policy, which can be understood as that the QoS of the related transmission of the first computing service requested by the terminal device through the first sub-session is guaranteed by the second QoS policy. For another example, the second QoS policy comprises a QoS policy corresponding to the first computing resource, and the first sub-session is associated with the second QoS policy, which can be understood as that the QoS of the related transmission of the first computing resource requested by the terminal device through the first sub-session is guaranteed by the second QoS policy. Optionally, the second QoS policy can also comprise a QoS policy of data traffic, so as to be compatible with the processing of data traffic.

[0194] In an implementation, the second network element can determine (or generate, or establish, or create) a context of the first session. The context of the first session can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the identification information of the terminal device, the address information of the second network element, the first charging policy, the first QoS policy, or the first priority information. The address information of the second network element, the first charging policy, and the first QoS policy are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0195] The identification information of the terminal device can include, but is not limited to, an international mobile subscriber identification number (IMSI) and / or a mobile subscriber international integrated services digital network number (MSISDN).

[0196] The first priority information can be used to indicate that the priority of the first charging policy is lower than the priority of the second charging policy. For example, the priority of the first charging policy is lower than the priority of the second charging policy, which means that the second charging policy is used when the first computing node provides the first computing service and / or the first computing resource, and the first charging policy is not used. Alternatively, if the first sub-session is not associated with the second charging policy, the first charging policy is used when the first computing node provides the first computing service and / or the first computing resource.

[0197] In an implementation, the second network element can determine (or generate, or establish, or create) a context of the first sub-session. The context of the first sub-session can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the identification information of the terminal device, the task name of the first task, the type of the first task (e.g., a computing task type, etc.), the address information of the terminal device, the address information of the first computing node, the second charging policy, or the second QoS policy. The identification information of the terminal device, the first task, the address information of the first computing node, the second charging policy, and the second QoS policy are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0198] In an implementation, the second network element can assign address information to the terminal device. The application provides various ways to assign address information, which will be introduced below.

[0199] Method one: the second network element assigns address information to the terminal device in the granularity of a sub-session, and the address information corresponding to different sub-sessions of the same session is different.

[0200] Exemplarily, the second network element can allocate first address information for the terminal device, the first address information being used for communication between the terminal device and the first computing node. For example, the second network element can allocate the first address information for the terminal device according to the second message.

[0201] Optionally, the second network element can send the first address information to the first computing node, and correspondingly, the first computing node receives the first address information from the second network element. For example, the first address information can be included in the fourth message, or can also be included in other messages, which is not limited.

[0202] Optionally, the second network element can send the first address information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first address information from the second network element. For example, the first address information can be included in the second response message, or can also be included in other messages, which is not limited.

[0203] Optionally, the second network element can send the first address information to the access network element corresponding to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the access network element receives the first address information from the second network element. For example, the first address information and the address information of the first computing node can be included in the same message, or can also be included in different messages, which is not limited.

[0204] Optionally, the address information of the terminal device included in the context of the first sub-session can be the first address information.

[0205] For example, the first session corresponds to sub-session #1, sub-session #2 and sub-session #3; the computing node #1 provides services for the sub-session #1, and the address information thereof is recorded as CPF IP #1; the computing node #2 provides services for the sub-session #2, and the address information thereof is recorded as CPF IP #2; the computing node #3 provides services for the sub-session #3, and the address information thereof is recorded as CPF IP #3. The second network element allocates the address information UE IP #1 for the terminal device for the sub-session #1, allocates the address information UE IP #2 for the terminal device for the sub-session #2, and allocates the address information UE IP #3 for the terminal device for the sub-session #3, as shown in (1) of FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the terminal device can also perform data transmission with the data network through the UP IP #0.

[0206] In the above manner one, the second network element allocates different address information for different sub-sessions, each computing node can be an IP anchor point of a sub-session, and data of the terminal device can be directly transmitted to the computing node corresponding to each sub-session through the access network element, so that the transmission delay can be reduced, and the user experience can be improved.

[0207] Manner two: the second network element allocates address information for the terminal device in the granularity of a session, and multiple sub-sessions corresponding to the same session can share one address information.

[0208] For example, the second network element can allocate the second address information for the terminal device, the second address information being used for communication between the terminal device and the computing node corresponding to each of the at least one sub-session corresponding to the first session. For example, the second network element can allocate the first address information for the terminal device according to the third message.

[0209] Optionally, the second network element can send the second address information to the first computing node, and correspondingly, the first computing node receives the second address information from the second network element. For example, the second address information can be included in the fourth message, or can also be included in other messages, which is not limited.

[0210] Optionally, the second network element can send the second address information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second address information from the second network element. For example, the second address information can be included in the first response message, or can also be included in other messages, which is not limited.

[0211] Optionally, the second network element can send the second address information to the access network element corresponding to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the access network element receives the second address information from the second network element. For example, the second address information and the address information of the first computing node can be included in the same message, or can also be included in different messages, which is not limited.

[0212] Optionally, the address information of the terminal device included in the context of the first sub-session can be the second address information.

[0213] Optionally, the second address information can also be included in the context of the first session.

[0214] Optionally, if multiple sub-sessions share one address information of the terminal device, the core network and the computing node can distinguish different sub-sessions through the identification of the sub-session and / or the information of the task, which is not limited by the present application. For example, the data of the terminal device is transmitted to the core network IP anchor through the access network element, and the core network IP anchor distributes the data to different computing nodes according to the identification of the sub-session and / or the information of the task. Optionally, the core network IP anchor can be the second network element, or can also be other network elements, and the implementation of the core network IP anchor is not limited by the present application.

[0215] For example, the first session corresponds to sub-session #1, sub-session #2 and sub-session #3; the computing node #1 provides services for the sub-session #1, and the address information thereof is recorded as CPF IP #1; the computing node #2 provides services for the sub-session #2, and the address information thereof is recorded as CPF IP #2; the computing node #3 provides services for the sub-session #3, and the address information thereof is recorded as CPF IP #3. The address information allocated by the second network element to the terminal device can be UE IP #1, which can be used for communication between the terminal device and each of the computing node #1, the computing node #2 and the computing node #3, as shown in (2) of FIG. 4.

[0216] Optionally, the first session supports data flow as a processing object, as shown in (1) of FIG. 4; or can also not support data flow as a processing object, as shown in (2) of FIG. 4.

[0217] In the above manner two, a plurality of sub-sessions share one address information, which can save IP address resources and be beneficial to the communication scenario of IPv4.

[0218] After the establishment of the first sub-session, the terminal device and the first computing node can transmit data corresponding to the first computing service and / or data corresponding to the first computing resource, and the implementation process is described above and will not be repeated. In an embodiment, after the first task is completed, the first sub-session can be released in a timely manner. Compared with the first session, the first sub-session occupies the first computing service and / or the first computing resource, and timely release of the first sub-session can release the resources occupied by the first sub-session, which is beneficial to improve the resource utilization rate. For example, after the first task is completed, the terminal device can release the first sub-session. For example, after the first task is completed, the second network element can release the first sub-session. For example, after the first task is completed, the first computing node can release the first sub-session. Optionally, releasing the first sub-session can be understood as deleting (or discarding) the related information of the first sub-session.

[0219] In the above embodiments of the present application, the first session established between the terminal device and the second network element is associated with at least one computing service and / or at least one computing resource, and the first sub-session between the terminal device and the first computing node is used to carry data corresponding to the first computing service and / or the first computing resource, thereby realizing the establishment of a session with a computing service and / or a computing resource as a processing object. The first session can be understood as a control plane corresponding session, without using computing service and / or computing resource, and the first sub-session can be understood as a user plane corresponding session, which needs to provide computing service and / or computing resource, so that the establishment of sessions from the control plane and the user plane respectively can provide differentiated services according to the computing service demand and / or the computing resource of different tasks, which is beneficial to improve the user experience.

[0220] The above-mentioned mode one and mode two will be introduced respectively in combination with FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

[0221] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. In the embodiment, the second network element allocates address information for the terminal device by using the above-mentioned mode one. Wherein, the access network element corresponding to the terminal device is denoted as RAN, the second network element is denoted as CMF, and the first computing node is denoted as CPF1. As shown in FIG. 5, the method comprises the following contents.

[0222] S501: The first network element sends first indication information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information from the first network element.

[0223] S501 is an optional step, which is represented by a dashed line in FIG. 5. Wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate that the type of the session allowed to be established by the terminal device comprises the first type. Exemplarily, the first network element can send the first indication information to the terminal device according to the user subscription data of the terminal device and / or the user policy of the terminal device.

[0224] Optionally, the first indication information can be carried in the URSP rule of the UE Policy message.

[0225] The implementation process of S501 can refer to the related description of S301, and will not be repeated here.

[0226] S502: The terminal device sends a first message to the first network element; correspondingly, the first network element receives the first message from the terminal device.

[0227] Wherein, the first message is used to request to establish a first session. The type of the first session is the first type.

[0228] Wherein, the first session is associated with at least one computing service, and / or the first session is associated with at least one computing resource.

[0229] The implementation process of S502 can refer to the related description of S301, and will not be repeated here.

[0230] S503: The first network element determines that the CMF provides services for at least one sub-session corresponding to the first session.

[0231] The implementation process of S503 can refer to the related description of S302, and will not be repeated here.

[0232] S504: The first network element sends a third message to the CMF; correspondingly, the CMF receives the third message from the first network element.

[0233] Wherein, the third message is used to request to establish the first session.

[0234] S505: The CMF sends a third response message to the first network element; correspondingly, the first network element receives the third response message from the CMF.

[0235] The third response message includes address information of the CMF. Optionally, the third response message can be a response message of the third message.

[0236] For example, the CMF can determine the context of the first session. The context of the first session can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: identification information of the terminal device, address information of the second network element, the first charging policy, the first QoS policy, or the first priority information. For details, refer to the description of S305.

[0237] S506: The first network element sends a first response message to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first response message from the first network element.

[0238] The first response message includes address information of the CMF.

[0239] For details, refer to the related description of S303.

[0240] S507: The terminal device sends a second message to the CMF according to the address information of the CMF; correspondingly, the CMF receives the second message from the terminal device.

[0241] The second message is used to request to establish a first sub-session. The first sub-session belongs to at least one sub-session corresponding to the first session.

[0242] Optionally, the second message includes information of a first computing service and / or information of a first computing resource. The first computing service belongs to at least one computing service associated with the first session. The first computing resource belongs to at least one computing resource associated with the first session.

[0243] For details, refer to the related description of S304.

[0244] S508: The CMF determines that the CPF1 provides services for the first sub-session.

[0245] For example, the CMF determines that the CPF1 provides services for the first sub-session according to the first computing service and / or the first computing resource. The second message includes information of the first computing service, and the CPF1 is used to provide the terminal device with the first computing service; and / or the second message includes information of the first computing resource, and the CPF1 is used to provide the terminal device with the first computing resource.

[0246] For example, during the establishment of the first session, the CMF can determine at least one computing node (not shown in FIG. 5) that provides service for the first session; after receiving the second message, the first computing node is determined from the at least one computing node according to the second message.

[0247] The implementation process of S508 can refer to the related description of S305, and will not be described here.

[0248] S509: The CMF allocates first address information for the terminal device.

[0249] The first address information is used for communication between the terminal device and the CPF1.

[0250] S510: The CMF sends a fourth message to the CPF1; correspondingly, the CPF1 receives the fourth message from the CMF.

[0251] The fourth message is used to request to establish the first sub-session. Optionally, the fourth message includes the first address information, or the first address information can also be carried by other messages, which is not limited. In FIG. 5, the fourth message includes the first address information is taken as an example.

[0252] S511: The CPF1 sends a fourth response message to the CMF; correspondingly, the CMF receives the fourth response message from the CPF1.

[0253] The fourth response message includes address information of the CPF1. Optionally, the fourth response message can be a response message of the fourth message. Optionally, the address information of the CPF1 can be carried by the fourth response message, or can also be carried by other messages, which is not limited. In FIG. 5, the fourth response message includes the address information of the CPF1 is taken as an example.

[0254] S512: The CMF sends the address information of the CPF1 and the first address information to the RAN.

[0255] Optionally, the address information of the CPF1 and the first address information can be carried by the same message, or can also be carried by different messages, which is not limited.

[0256] S513: The CMF sends a second response message to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second response message from the CMF.

[0257] The second response message includes the address information of the CPF1. Optionally, the second response message also includes the first address information, or the first address information can also be carried by other messages, which is not limited. In FIG. 5, the second response message includes the first address information is taken as an example.

[0258] Exemplarily, the CMF can determine the context of the first sub-session. The context of the first sub-session can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the identification information of the terminal device, the name of the first task, the type of the first task, the first address information, the address information of the first computing node, the second charging policy, or the second QoS policy. The implementation manner can refer to the description of S305, and will not be repeated here.

[0259] S514: The terminal device transmits data to the CPF1 through the first sub-session.

[0260] For example, the data of the terminal device can be transmitted to the CPF1 through the RAN; and / or, the data of the CPF1 can be transmitted to the terminal device through the RAN.

[0261] S515: After the execution of the first task is completed, the first sub-session is released.

[0262] For example, after the execution of the first task is completed, the terminal device can release the first sub-session. For example, after the execution of the first task is completed, the second network element can release the first sub-session. For example, after the execution of the first task is completed, the first computing node can release the first sub-session.

[0263] It should be understood that the execution order of each step in FIG. 5 is taken as an example, and the present application is not limited thereto. For example, the CMF can first determine the CPF1, and then allocate the first address information to the terminal device; or the CMF can first allocate the first address information to the terminal device, and then determine the CPF1.

[0264] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. In the embodiment, the second network element allocates address information to the terminal device in the above-described manner two. Wherein, the access network element corresponding to the terminal device is denoted as RAN, the second network element is denoted as CMF, and the first computing node is denoted as CPF1. As shown in FIG. 6, the method includes the following contents.

[0265] Wherein, S601 to S604, S606 to S609, S611, S614 and S615 are the same as S501 to S504, S505 to S508, S511, S514 and S515 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, except that:

[0266] S605: The CMF allocates second address information to the terminal device.

[0267] Wherein, the second address information can be used for communication between the terminal device and the CPF corresponding to each of the at least one sub-session.

[0268] Exemplarily, the CMF can determine the context of the first session. The context of the first session can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the identification information of the terminal device, the second address information, the address information of the second network element, the first charging policy, the first QoS policy, or the first priority information. For implementation, refer to the description of S305, which will not be repeated here.

[0269] S610: The CMF sends a fourth message to the CPF1; correspondingly, the CPF1 receives the fourth message from the CMF.

[0270] The fourth message is used to request to establish the first sub-session. Optionally, the fourth message includes the second address information, or the second address information can also be carried by other messages, which is not limited. In FIG. 6, the fourth message is exemplified as including the second address information.

[0271] S612: The CMF sends the address information of the CPF1 and the second address information to the RAN.

[0272] Optionally, the address information of the CPF1 and the second address information can be carried by the same message, or can also be carried by different messages, which is not limited.

[0273] S613: The CMF sends a second response message to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second response message from the CMF.

[0274] The second response message includes the address information of the CPF1. Optionally, the second response message also includes the second address information, or the second address information can also be carried by other messages, which is not limited. In FIG. 6, the second response message is exemplified as including the second address information.

[0275] Exemplarily, the CMF can determine the context of the first sub-session. The context of the first sub-session can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the identification information of the terminal device, the name of the first task, the type of the first task, the second address information, the address information of the first computing node, the second charging policy, or the second QoS policy. For implementation, refer to the description of S305, which will not be repeated here.

[0276] Afterwards, the data of the terminal device can be transmitted to the CPF1 through the RAN; and / or the data of the CPF1 is transmitted to the terminal device through the RAN.

[0277] It should be understood that the execution order of each step in FIG. 6 is taken as an example, and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0278] In the embodiments provided by the present application, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application is introduced from the perspective of interaction of a plurality of communication devices (for example, a terminal device, a first network element and a second network element). The steps performed by the communication device (for example, a terminal device, a first network element or a second network element) can be implemented by different functional entities constituting the communication device. The communication device (for example, a terminal device, a first network element or a second network element) can include a hardware structure and / or a software module to implement the above functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module or a hardware structure plus a software module. Whether a certain function is implemented in the form of a hardware structure, a software module or a hardware structure plus a software module depends on the specific application of the technical solution and the design constraint conditions.

[0279] The communication device used to implement the above method in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the content in the foregoing can be used in the subsequent embodiments, and the repeated content will not be described again.

[0280] FIG. 7 exemplarily shows a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 700 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 700 can implement the functions or steps implemented by the terminal device, the first network element or the second network element in the above method embodiments.

[0281] Exemplarily, when the communication device 700 is used to implement the functions or steps implemented by the terminal device in the above method embodiments, the communication device 700 can be a terminal device or a component in a terminal device, etc.

[0282] Exemplarily, when the communication device 700 is used to implement the functions or steps implemented by the first network element in the above method embodiments, the communication device 700 can be a first network element or a component in a first network element, etc.

[0283] Exemplarily, when the communication device 700 is used to implement the functions or steps implemented by the second network element in the above method embodiments, the communication device 700 can be a second network element or a component in a second network element, etc.

[0284] In an implementation manner, the communication device 700 can include a processing module 701 and a transceiver module 702, or include the processing module 701 and not include the transceiver module 702, or include the transceiver module 702 and not include the processing module 701. Wherein:

[0285] The processing module 701 can be configured to support the communication device 700 to perform the processing actions in the above method embodiments. The processing module 701 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor.

[0286] In this application, the processing module 701 can also be referred to as a processing unit, etc., without limitation.

[0287] The transceiver module 702 is configured to input and / or output information. The input information can be replaced by received information, and the output information can be replaced by transmitted information. When outputting information, the transceiver module 702 can output information to other devices outside the communication device 700, or output information to other units in the communication device 700. In some manners, the transceiver module 702 can be implemented by at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, and an input / output interface. In other manners, the transceiver module 702 can be implemented by an interface circuit, for example, a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module can include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), etc.

[0288] Optionally, the transceiver module 702 can include a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module is configured to perform the transmitting operations in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is configured to perform the receiving operations in the above method embodiments. It should be noted that the communication device 700 can include the transmitting module, but not the receiving module. Alternatively, the communication device 700 can include the receiving module, but not the transmitting module. Whether the communication device 700 includes the transmitting module and the receiving module can depend on whether the communication device 700 performs the transmitting actions and the receiving actions in the above schemes.

[0289] In this application, the transceiver module 702 can also be referred to as a communication interface, or a communication module, or a transceiver unit, or an interface module, or an interface unit, or a communication unit, etc., without limitation.

[0290] It is noted that the communication apparatus 700 can include the processing module 701 but not the transceiver module 702. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 700 can include the transceiver module 702 but not the processing module 701. Whether the communication apparatus 700 includes the processing module 701 and the transceiver module 702 can depend on whether the communication apparatus 700 performs the processing action and the transceiver action in the above-described schemes.

[0291] Optionally, the communication apparatus 700 can further include a storage module, which is not shown in FIG. 7. The storage module can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 701 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module, so that the communication apparatus 700 implements the foregoing method embodiments.

[0292] Optionally, the communication apparatus 700 can be a chip system. The transceiver module 702 can be an input / output interface of a chip (e.g., a baseband chip). The processing module 701 can be a processor of the chip system.

[0293] In a possible design, when the communication apparatus 700 is a communication device or a communication module in a communication device, the function of the processing module 701 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor can include a Modem chip (also referred to as a baseband chip), or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or a system in package (SIP) chip that includes a Modem core. The function of the transceiver module 702 can be implemented by a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the communication device can be a terminal device, a first network element, or a second network element.

[0294] In a possible design, when the communication apparatus 700 is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in a communication device, such as a Modem chip or a SoC chip or a SIP chip that includes a Modem core, the function of the processing module 701 can be implemented by a circuit system including one or more processors or processor cores in the chip. The function of the transceiver module 702 can be implemented by an interface circuit or a data transceiver circuit on the chip. Optionally, the communication device can be a terminal device, a first network element, or a second network element.

[0295] In the first implementation, the communication apparatus 700 can implement the function of a terminal device, and perform the following: the transceiver 702 is configured to send a first message to a first network element, the first message being used to request establishment of a first session; receive a first response message from the first network element, the first response message including address information of a second network element, the second network element being used to provide service for at least one sub-session corresponding to the first session; send a second message to the second network element according to the address information of the second network element, the second message being used to request establishment of a first sub-session, the first sub-session belonging to the at least one sub-session; and receive a second response message from the second network element, the second response message including address information of a first computing node. The first session is associated with at least one computing service, the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing service, the first computing node is used to provide the first computing service, and the first computing service belongs to the at least one computing service; and / or, the first session is associated with at least one technical resource, the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing resource, the first computing node is used to provide the first computing resource, and the first computing resource belongs to the at least one computing resource.

[0296] In a possible implementation, the second response message further includes first address information of the terminal device, the first address information being used for communication between the terminal device and the first computing node; or, the first response message further includes second address information of the terminal device, the second address information being used for communication between the terminal device and a computing node corresponding to each sub-session in the at least one sub-session.

[0297] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is further configured to receive first indication information from the first network element, the first indication information being used to indicate that the types of sessions allowed to be established by the terminal device include sessions associated with computing services and / or sessions associated with computing resources.

[0298] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is carried in a user equipment routing selection policy rule of a user equipment policy message.

[0299] In a possible implementation, the first computing service and / or the first computing resource are used to perform a first task, and the processing module 701 is configured to release the first sub-session after the first task is completed.

[0300] In a possible implementation, the first session is associated with a first charging policy, and the first charging policy includes a charging policy corresponding to the at least one computing service and / or a charging policy corresponding to the at least one computing resource.

[0301] In a possible implementation, the first sub-session is associated with a second charging policy, and the second charging policy comprises a charging policy corresponding to the first computing service and / or a charging policy corresponding to the first computing resource.

[0302] In a possible implementation, the second charging policy has a higher priority than the first charging policy.

[0303] In the second implementation, the communication apparatus 700 can implement a function of a second network element, and perform the following: the transceiver 702 is configured to receive a second message from a terminal device, the second message being used to request establishment of a first sub-session, wherein the first sub-session belongs to at least one sub-session corresponding to a first session; and send a second response message to the terminal device, the second response message comprising address information of a first computing node. The first session is associated with at least one computing service, the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing service, and the first computing node is used to provide the first computing service, which belongs to the at least one computing service; and / or, the first session is associated with at least one computing resource, the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing resource, and the first computing node is used to provide the first computing resource, which belongs to the at least one computing resource.

[0304] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is further configured to receive a third message from a first network element, the third message being used to request establishment of the first session; and send address information of the second network element to the first network element.

[0305] In a possible implementation, the processing module 701 is configured to allocate second address information for the terminal device according to the third message, wherein the second address information is used for communication between the terminal device and a computing node corresponding to each of the at least one sub-session; and the transceiver 702 is further configured to send the second address information to the first network element.

[0306] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is further configured to send the second address information to an access network element corresponding to the terminal device.

[0307] In a possible implementation, the processing module 701 is configured to allocate first address information for the terminal device according to the second message, wherein the first address information is used for communication between the terminal device and the first computing node, and the second response message further comprises the first address information.

[0308] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 702 is further configured to send the first address information to an access network element corresponding to the terminal device.

[0309] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 702 is further configured to send address information of the first computing node to an access network element corresponding to the terminal device.

[0310] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 702 is further configured to send, to the first computing node, a message for requesting establishment of the first sub-session; and receive, from the first computing node, address information of the first computing node.

[0311] In a possible implementation, the processing module 701 is further configured to determine the first computing node according to the second message.

[0312] In a possible implementation, the processing module 701 is further configured to, in the process of establishing the first session, determine at least one computing node for providing service for the first session; and determine the first computing node from the at least one computing node according to the second message.

[0313] In a possible implementation, the first computing service and / or the first computing resource are used to perform a first task, and the method further includes: releasing, by the second network element, the first sub-session after the first task is completed.

[0314] In a possible implementation, the first session is associated with a first charging policy, and the first charging policy includes a charging policy corresponding to the at least one computing service and / or a charging policy corresponding to the at least one computing resource.

[0315] In a possible implementation, the first sub-session is associated with a second charging policy, and the second charging policy includes a charging policy corresponding to the first computing service and / or a charging policy corresponding to the first computing resource.

[0316] In a possible implementation, the priority of the second charging policy is higher than the priority of the first charging policy.

[0317] In the third implementation, the communication apparatus 700 can implement the function of the first network element, and perform the following: the transceiver 702 receives a first message from a terminal device, the first message being used to request establishment of a first session, wherein the first session is associated with at least one computing service and / or the first session is associated with at least one computing resource; the processor 701 determines that a second network element provides services for at least one sub-session corresponding to the first session; and the transceiver 702 sends a first response message to the terminal device, the first response message comprising address information of the second network element.

[0318] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 sends a third message to the second network element, the third message being used to request establishment of the first session; and receives the address information of the second network element from the second network element.

[0319] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 receives second address information of the terminal device from the second network element, and the first response message further comprises the second address information; wherein the second address information is used for communication between the terminal device and a computing node corresponding to each of the at least one sub-session.

[0320] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 sends first indication information to the terminal device, the first indication information being used to indicate that the types of sessions allowed to be established by the terminal device include sessions associated with computing services and / or sessions associated with computing resources.

[0321] In a possible implementation, when sending the first indication information to the terminal device, the transceiver 702 sends the first indication information to the terminal device according to user subscription data of the terminal device and / or a user policy of the terminal device, wherein the user subscription data and / or the user policy are used to indicate that the terminal device supports establishment of sessions associated with computing services and / or sessions associated with computing resources.

[0322] In a possible implementation, the user policy indicates that the terminal device supports establishment of sessions associated with computing services by at least one of: flow description information corresponding to the computing services, or information of a task associated with the at least one sub-session; and / or the user policy indicates that the terminal device supports establishment of sessions associated with computing resources by at least one of: flow description information corresponding to the computing resources, or information of a task associated with the at least one sub-session.

[0323] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is carried in a user equipment routing policy rule of the user equipment policy message.

[0324] In a possible implementation, the first session is associated with a first charging policy, and the first charging policy comprises a charging policy corresponding to the at least one computing service and / or a charging policy corresponding to the at least one computing resource.

[0325] In a possible implementation, the first sub-session is associated with a second charging policy, and the second charging policy comprises a charging policy corresponding to the first computing service and / or a charging policy corresponding to the first computing resource.

[0326] In a possible implementation, the second charging policy has a higher priority than the first charging policy.

[0327] The detailed description of the processing module 701 and the transceiver module 702 can be directly obtained with reference to the foregoing embodiments, and thus is not described herein.

[0328] FIG. 8 shows a structural schematic diagram of another communication apparatus 800 provided by the embodiments of the present application. The communication apparatus 800 can include a processor 820, which is configured to implement or support implementation of the functions of the terminal device, the first network element, or the second network element in the foregoing method embodiments. For details, refer to the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the processor 820 is configured to read and execute program instructions through the communication interface 810, so that the communication apparatus 800 implements the corresponding method. The processor 820 can include one or more processors, which are not limited.

[0329] It should be noted that the above-mentioned functional modules can be implemented by hardware, or implemented by a combination of hardware and software, which are not limited. When the communication apparatus 800 only includes the processor 820, the communication apparatus 800 can be a chip, or can also be a chip system.

[0330] For example, the communication apparatus 800 can be a chip system. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices, which are not limited.

[0331] For another example, when the communication apparatus 800 is a chip, the communication interface 810 can be an input and output interface of the chip, wherein the input corresponds to the receiving operation, and the output corresponds to the sending operation.

[0332] Optionally, the communication apparatus 800 further includes a memory 830 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 830 is coupled with the processor 820. 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 820 can operate in cooperation with the memory 830. The processor 820 and the memory 830 can be integrated together, or can be separately arranged.

[0333] Further, the processor 820 is configured to execute the program instructions stored in the memory 830, so that the communication apparatus 800 implements corresponding methods.

[0334] One or more memories in the memory 830 can be included in the processor, or the memory 830 can exist independently, for example, an off-chip memory, connected with the processor 820 through a communication bus (represented by a thick line 840 in FIG. 8). The memory 830 and the processor 820 can also be integrated together.

[0335] Optionally, the communication apparatus 800 further includes a communication interface 810 (represented by a dashed line in FIG. 8) for communicating with other devices through a transmission medium, so that the apparatuses in the communication apparatus 800 can communicate with other devices.

[0336] Exemplarily, when the communication apparatus 800 is a terminal device, the other device can be a first network element, a second network element, etc. The processor 820 can use the communication interface 810 to transceive data. For example, the processor 820 can be configured to control the communication interface 810 to receive and / or send signals.

[0337] The communication interface 810 can be a transceiver in particular. In hardware implementation, the transceiver can be used to implement the functions of the transceiving module 702, and the transceiver is integrated in the communication apparatus 800 to form the communication interface 810.

[0338] Optionally, the transceiver can include a transmitter and / or a receiver to implement the sending and receiving operations in the method embodiments; other operations than the sending and receiving can be implemented by the processor 820.

[0339] It should be noted that the communication interface 810 can have both sending and receiving functions, and can implement signal receiving and sending; or the communication interface 810 can have only sending function and no receiving function, and is used to implement signal sending; or the communication interface 810 can have only receiving function and no sending function, and is used to implement signal receiving.

[0340] It should be noted that the specific connection medium between the communication interface 810, the processor 820 and the memory 830 in the embodiments of the present application is not limited. In FIG. 8, the memory 830, the processor 820 and the communication interface 810 are connected through the communication bus 840, and the connection mode between other components is only schematically illustrated and is not limited. The communication bus 840 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus and the like. For the convenience of representation, only one thick line is used in FIG. 8, but it does not mean that there is only one communication bus or only one type of communication bus.

[0341] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor 820 can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The method disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present application can be executed by hardware in the processor or by a combination of hardware and software in the processor.

[0342] In the embodiments of the present application, the memory 830 can be a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), and can also be a volatile memory such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory can also be any other medium for carrying or storing program codes in the form of instructions or data structures and capable of being accessed by a computer; or a circuit or any other device capable of realizing a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0343] In the first possible implementation, the communication device 800 can be a terminal device or a device in the terminal device, and is used to implement the related method corresponding to the terminal device in the above various embodiments. For specific functions, refer to the description in the above various embodiments.

[0344] Exemplarily, the method corresponding to the terminal device in each of the above embodiments comprises: sending a first message to a first network element, the first message being used to request establishment of a first session; receiving a first response message from the first network element, the first response message comprising address information of a second network element, the second network element being used to provide service for at least one sub-session corresponding to the first session; sending a second message to the second network element according to the address information of the second network element, the second message being used to request establishment of a first sub-session, the first sub-session belonging to the at least one sub-session; and receiving a second response message from the second network element, the second response message comprising address information of a first computing node. Wherein, the first session is associated with at least one computing service, the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing service, the first computing node is used to provide the first computing service, and the first computing service belongs to the at least one computing service; and / or, the first session is associated with at least one technical resource, the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing resource, the first computing node is used to provide the first computing resource, and the first computing resource belongs to the at least one computing resource.

[0345] In a second possible implementation, the communication apparatus 800 can be a second network element or a device in the second network element, and is configured to implement the method corresponding to the second network element in each of the above embodiments. For details, refer to the description in each of the above embodiments.

[0346] Exemplarily, the method corresponding to the second network element in each of the above embodiments comprises: receiving a second message from a terminal device, the second message being used to request establishment of a first sub-session, wherein the first sub-session belongs to at least one sub-session corresponding to a first session; and sending a second response message to the terminal device, the second response message comprising address information of a first computing node. Wherein, the first session is associated with at least one computing service, the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing service, the first computing node is used to provide the first computing service, and the first computing service belongs to the at least one computing service; and / or, the first session is associated with at least one technical resource, the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing resource, the first computing node is used to provide the first computing resource, and the first computing resource belongs to the at least one computing resource.

[0347] In a third possible implementation, the communication apparatus 800 can be a first network element or a device in the first network element, and is configured to implement the method corresponding to the first network element in each of the above embodiments. For details, refer to the description in each of the above embodiments.

[0348] Exemplarily, the method corresponding to the first network element in each of the above embodiments comprises: receiving a first message from a terminal device, the first message being used to request establishment of a first session, wherein the first session is associated with at least one computing service and / or the first session is associated with at least one computing resource; determining a second network element to provide service for at least one sub-session corresponding to the first session; and sending a first response message to the terminal device, the first response message comprising address information of the second network element.

[0349] For implementation process, reference can be made to the related content in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0350] FIG. 9 exemplarily shows another communication apparatus 900 provided by the embodiments of the present application, which comprises an input / output interface 910 and a logic circuit 920; the input / output interface 910 is configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the logic circuit 920; the logic circuit 920 is configured to run the code instructions to execute the method performed by the terminal device, the first network element or the second network element in any of the above embodiments.

[0351] In the first implementation mode, the communication apparatus 900 can be applied to the terminal device to execute the method performed by the terminal device, for example, the method performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication apparatus 900 can send a first message to a first network element, the first message being used to request establishment of a first session; receive a first response message from the first network element, the first response message comprising address information of a second network element, the second network element being configured to provide service for at least one sub-session corresponding to the first session; send a second message to the second network element according to the address information of the second network element, the second message being used to request establishment of a first sub-session, the first sub-session belonging to the at least one sub-session; and receive a second response message from the second network element, the second response message comprising address information of a first computing node. Wherein the first session is associated with at least one computing service, the first sub-session is configured to carry data corresponding to a first computing service, the first computing node is configured to provide the first computing service, and the first computing service belongs to the at least one computing service; and / or, the first session is associated with at least one computing resource, the first sub-session is configured to carry data corresponding to a first computing resource, the first computing node is configured to provide the first computing resource, and the first computing resource belongs to the at least one computing resource.

[0352] In the second implementation, the communication apparatus 900 can be applied to the second network element, and perform the method performed by the second network element as described above, for example, the method performed by the second network element in the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the communication apparatus 900 can receive a second message from a terminal device, where the second message is used to request establishment of a first sub-session, and the first sub-session belongs to at least one sub-session corresponding to a first session; and send a second response message to the terminal device, where the second response message includes address information of a first computing node. The first session is associated with at least one computing service, the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing service, the first computing node is used to provide the first computing service, and the first computing service belongs to the at least one computing service; and / or the first session is associated with at least one computing resource, the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing resource, the first computing node is used to provide the first computing resource, and the first computing resource belongs to the at least one computing resource.

[0353] In the third implementation, the communication apparatus 900 can be applied to the first network element, and perform the method performed by the first network element as described above, for example, the method performed by the first network element in the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the communication apparatus 900 can receive a first message from a terminal device, where the first message is used to request establishment of a first session, the first session is associated with at least one computing service, and / or the first session is associated with at least one computing resource; determine that a second network element provides service for at least one sub-session corresponding to the first session; and send a first response message to the terminal device, where the first response message includes address information of the second network element.

[0354] For details of the implementation process, refer to the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0355] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which can include one or more of the following: a terminal device, a first network element, or a second network element. The terminal device, the first network element, or the second network element can be described in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0356] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the method or steps performed by the terminal device, the first network element, or the second network element in the foregoing embodiments to be implemented.

[0357] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product including a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the method or steps performed by the terminal device, the first network element, or the second network element in the foregoing embodiments to be implemented.

[0358] The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can contain a chip and other discrete devices.

[0359] Optionally, the chip system further includes a memory for storing program instructions, so that the above processor reads and executes to realize the corresponding method.

[0360] It should be understood that, in various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of the above processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to their functions and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0361] 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 solution. The skilled person can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0362] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working process of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0363] 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 above-described device embodiments 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.

[0364] 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, that is, they can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network units. According to actual needs, part or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of the embodiment scheme.

[0365] In addition, each function unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can be physically present separately, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit.

[0366] If the functions are realized 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 makes contributions 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 method described in each embodiment 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.

[0367] 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 to this. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical range disclosed in the embodiments of the present application, which should be covered in 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 characterized by comprising: The method comprises: sending a first message to a first network element, the first message being used to request establishment of a first session, wherein the first session is associated with at least one computing service and / or the first session is associated with at least one computing resource; receiving a first response message from the first network element, the first response message comprising address information of a second network element, the second network element being used to provide service for at least one sub-session corresponding to the first session; sending a second message to the second network element according to the address information of the second network element, the second message being used to request establishment of a first sub-session, the first sub-session belonging to the at least one sub-session; receiving a second response message from the second network element, the second response message comprising address information of a first computing node; wherein the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing service, the first computing node is used to provide the first computing service, and the first computing service belongs to the at least one computing service; and / or the first sub-session is used to carry data corresponding to a first computing resource, the first computing node is used to provide the first computing resource, and the first computing resource belongs to the at least one computing resource.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the second response message further comprises first address information of a terminal device, the first address information being used for communication between the terminal device and the first computing node; or the first response message further comprises second address information of the terminal device, the second address information being used for communication between the terminal device and a computing node corresponding to each sub-session in the at least one sub-session.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving first indication information from the first network element, the first indication information being used to indicate that a type of session allowed to be established by a terminal device comprises a session associated with a computing service and / or a session associated with a computing resource.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The first indication information is carried in a user equipment routing selection policy rule of a user equipment policy message.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first computing service and / or the first computing resource are used to execute a first task, and the method further comprises: releasing the first sub-session after the first task is executed.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first session is associated with a first charging policy, the first charging policy comprising a charging policy corresponding to the at least one computing service and / or a charging policy corresponding to the at least one computing resource.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first sub-session is associated with a second charging policy, the second charging policy comprising a charging policy corresponding to the first computing service and / or a charging policy corresponding to the first computing resource.

8. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: receiving a second message from a terminal device, the second message being used to request establishment of a first sub-session, wherein the first sub-session belongs to at least one sub-session corresponding to a first session, the first session being associated with at least one computing service and / or the first session being associated with at least one computing resource; sending a second response message to the terminal device, the second response message comprising address information of the first computing node; wherein the first sub-session is configured to carry data corresponding to a first computing service, and the first computing node is configured to provide the first computing service, the first computing service belonging to the at least one computing service; and / or the first sub-session is configured to carry data corresponding to a first computing resource, and the first computing node is configured to provide the first computing resource, the first computing resource belonging to the at least one computing resource.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a third message from a first network element, the third message being configured to request establishment of the first session; sending address information of a second network element to the first network element.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The method further comprises: allocating second address information for the terminal device according to the third message, wherein the second address information is configured to be used for communication between the terminal device and a computing node corresponding to each of the at least one sub-session; sending the second address information to the first network element.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The method further comprises: sending the second address information to an access network element corresponding to the terminal device.

12. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein, The method further comprises: allocating first address information for the terminal device according to the second message, wherein the first address information is configured to be used for communication between the terminal device and the first computing node, and the second response message further comprises the first address information.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The method further comprises: sending the first address information to an access network element corresponding to the terminal device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending address information of the first computing node to an access network element corresponding to the terminal device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending a message to the first computing node, the message being configured to request establishment of the first sub-session; receiving address information of the first computing node from the first computing node.

16. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that, The method further comprises: determining the first computing node according to the second message.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The method further comprises: determining at least one computing node providing service for the first session during establishment of the first session; The determining the first computing node according to the second message comprises: determining the first computing node from the at least one computing node according to the second message.

18. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 17, characterized in that, The first computing service and / or the first computing resource are configured to execute a first task, and the method further comprises: releasing the first sub-session after the first task is executed.

19. A method of communication, comprising: The method comprises: receiving a first message from a terminal device, the first message being configured to request establishment of a first session, wherein the first session is associated with at least one computing service, and / or the first session is associated with at least one computing resource; determining a second network element providing service for at least one sub-session corresponding to the first session; sending a first response message to the terminal device, the first response message comprising address information of the second network element.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The method further comprises: sending a third message to the second network element, the third message being configured to request establishment of the first session; receiving address information of the second network element from the second network element.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving second address information of the terminal device from the second network element, the first response message further comprising the second address information; wherein the second address information is used for communication between the terminal device and a computing node corresponding to each of the at least one sub-session.

22. The method of any one of claims 19-21, wherein, The method further comprises: sending first indication information to the terminal device, the first indication information being used to indicate that a type of session allowed to be established by the terminal device comprises a session associated with a computing service and / or a session associated with a computing resource.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, The sending of the first indication information to the terminal device comprises: sending the first indication information to the terminal device according to user subscription data of the terminal device and / or a user policy of the terminal device, wherein the user subscription data and / or the user policy are used to indicate that the terminal device supports establishment of a session associated with a computing service and / or a session associated with a computing resource.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein, The user policy indicates that the terminal device supports establishment of a session associated with a computing service by at least one of: flow description information corresponding to the computing service, or information of a task associated with the at least one sub-session. And / or, the user policy indicates that the terminal device supports establishment of a session associated with a computing resource by at least one of: flow description information corresponding to the computing resource, or information of a task associated with the at least one sub-session.

25. The method of any one of claims 22-24, wherein, The first indication information is carried in a user equipment routing selection policy rule of the user equipment policy message.

26. A communications device, characterized by A module for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 25.

27. A communications device, characterized by At least one processor for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 25.

28. A communication system, characterized by At least one of: a terminal device, a first network element, or a second network element, wherein the terminal device is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 7, the first network element is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 19 to 25, and the second network element is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 8 to 18.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program or instructions stored therein, when executed, cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 25 to be implemented.

30. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises a computer program which, when executed on a computer, causes the method of any one of claims 1 to 25 to be implemented.

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