Communication method, apparatus and device

Abstract

The present application belongs to the field of communications. Disclosed are a communication method, apparatus and device. The communication method comprises: a first communication device receiving a network element search request sent by a data consumer, wherein the network element search request is used for making a request to search for a second communication device, the first communication device is a communication device having a network repository function, and the second communication device is a communication device having a capability related to a data plane; and the first communication device sending, to the data consumer, first response information for the network element search request.

Description

Communication method, apparatus and device

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411344994.9, filed on September 25, 2024, and entitled "Communication method, apparatus and device", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0004] In the related art, each network element in the network interacts based on a service-based architecture (SBA). Under this architecture, after a network function service consumer (NF Service Consumer) completes registration with a network repository function (NRF), it can find relevant network elements from the NRF to obtain relevant data.

[0005] However, this service-based network element interaction method has certain limitations, such as limited load that can be borne, and is not suitable for transmitting large data, for example, not suitable for transmitting a large amount of data or large files. SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, apparatus and device, which can solve the problem that the service-based network element interaction method in the related art is not suitable for transmitting large data.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising:

[0008] A first communication device receives a network element finding request sent by a data consumer, wherein the network element finding request is used to request to find a second communication device, the first communication device is a communication device with a network repository function, and the second communication device is a communication device with a data plane related capability;

[0009] The first communication device sends first response information for the network element finding request to the data consumer.

[0010] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising:

[0011] The data consumer sends a network element search request to the first communication device, wherein the network element search request is used to request to search for a second communication device, the second communication device is a communication device with a data plane related capability, and the first communication device is a communication device with a network storage function.

[0012] The data consumer receives first response information sent by the first communication device for the network element search request.

[0013] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, and the method comprises:

[0014] The second communication device sends first information to the first communication device, wherein the second communication device is a communication device with a data plane related capability, the first communication device is a communication device with a network storage function, the first information comprises identification information and first capability information of the second communication device, and the first capability information comprises capability information corresponding to the second communication device.

[0015] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, and the apparatus is applied to a first communication device, and the apparatus comprises:

[0016] A first receiving module is configured to receive a network element search request sent by a data consumer, wherein the network element search request is used to request to search for a second communication device, the first communication device is a communication device with a network storage function, and the second communication device is a communication device with a data plane related capability.

[0017] A first sending module is configured to send first response information for the network element search request to the data consumer.

[0018] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, and the apparatus is applied to a data consumer, and the apparatus comprises:

[0019] A first sending module is configured to send a network element search request to a first communication device, wherein the network element search request is used to request to search for a second communication device, the second communication device is a communication device with a data plane related capability, and the first communication device is a communication device with a network storage function.

[0020] A first receiving module is configured to receive first response information sent by the first communication device for the network element search request.

[0021] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, and the apparatus is applied to a second communication device, and the apparatus comprises:

[0022] The first sending module is configured to send first information to a first communication device, wherein the second communication device is a communication device with a data plane related capability, the first communication device is a communication device with a network storage function, and the first information includes identification information of the second communication device and first capability information, and the first capability information includes capability information corresponding to the second communication device.

[0023] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which is configured to perform the steps of the method of the first aspect, or to implement the steps of the method of the second aspect, or to implement the steps of the method of the third aspect.

[0024] In an eighth aspect, a network side device is provided, which includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing programs or instructions executable on the processor, and the programs or instructions, when executed by the processor, implement the steps of the method of the first aspect, or the steps of the method of the second aspect, or the steps of the method of the third aspect.

[0025] In a ninth aspect, a network side device is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is configured to receive a network element lookup request sent by a data consumer, the network element lookup request being used to request to find a second communication device, the second communication device being a communication device with a data plane related capability; and send first response information corresponding to the network element lookup request to the data consumer.

[0026] In a tenth aspect, a network side device is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is configured to send a network element lookup request to a first communication device, the network element lookup request being used to request to find a second communication device, the second communication device being a communication device with a data plane related capability, and the first communication device being a communication device with a network storage function; and receive first response information corresponding to the network element lookup request sent by the first communication device.

[0027] In an eleventh aspect, a network side device is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is configured to receive a network element lookup request sent by a data consumer, the network element lookup request being used to request to find a second communication device, the first communication device being a communication device with a network storage function, and the second communication device being a communication device with a data plane related capability; and the first communication device sends first response information corresponding to the network element lookup request to the data consumer.

[0028] In a twelfth aspect, a network-side device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is configured to send a network element search request to a first communication device, wherein the network element search request is configured to request to search for a second communication device, the second communication device being a communication device with a data plane related capability, and the first communication device being a communication device with a network storage function; and receive a first response information sent by the first communication device for the network element search request.

[0029] In a thirteenth aspect, a network-side device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is configured to send first information to a first communication device, wherein the second communication device is a communication device with a data plane related capability, and the first communication device is a communication device with a network storage function, and the first information includes identification information of the second communication device and first capability information, and the first capability information includes capability information corresponding to the second communication device.

[0030] In a fourteenth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, and the readable storage medium stores a program or instructions, and the program or instructions are executed by a processor to implement steps of the method in the first aspect, or implement steps of the method in the second aspect, or implement steps of the method in the third aspect.

[0031] In a fifteenth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, including a first communication device, a data consumer and a second communication device, the first communication device is configured to implement steps of the method in the first aspect, the data consumer is configured to implement steps of the method in the second aspect, and the second communication device is configured to implement steps of the method in the third aspect.

[0032] In a sixteenth aspect, a chip is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to run a program or instructions to implement steps of the method in the first aspect, or implement steps of the method in the second aspect, or implement steps of the method in the third aspect.

[0033] In a seventeenth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, and the computer program / program product is stored in a storage medium, and the computer program / program product is executed by at least one processor to implement steps of the method in the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0034] In the embodiments of the present application, the second communication device with a data plane related capability is introduced, and the data consumer searches for the second communication device from the first communication device with a network storage function to obtain data service, and therefore, the second communication device is more suitable for transmission of large data. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a wireless communication system to which embodiments of the present application can be applied.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a network architecture according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a network architecture according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a network architecture according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0042] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0043] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0044] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0045] FIG. 11 is a diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0046] FIG. 12 is a diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0047] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0048] FIG. 14 is a diagram of a structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0049] FIG. 15 is a diagram of a structure of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0050] FIG. 16 is a diagram of a structure of a network-side device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, but not all of the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art belong to the scope of the present application.

[0052] The terms "first", "second", and the like in the specification are used to distinguish between similar objects, and are not used to describe a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that such terms are used interchangeably, where appropriate, to refer to an embodiment of the application, and that embodiments of the application can be practiced in an order other than that which is depicted or described herein, and that the terms "first", "second", etc. are not necessarily used to designate the number of objects unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the term "or" as used in the specification is intended to mean at least one of the connected objects. For example, the expression "A or B" covers at least three cases, namely, case one: including A and excluding B; case two: including B and excluding A; and case three: including both A and B. In addition, the terms "A and / or B", "at least one of A and B", and "at least one of A or B" also cover at least the above three cases, respectively. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after it.

[0053] The term "indication" in the specification can be a direct indication (or explicit indication) or an indirect indication (or implicit indication). The direct indication can be understood as the sender explicitly informing the receiver of specific information, operations to be performed, or requested results, etc. in the indication sent by the sender. The indirect indication can be understood as the receiver determining the corresponding information according to the indication sent by the sender, or making a judgment and determining the operations to be performed or the requested results, etc. according to the judgment result.

[0054] It is worth noting that the technology described in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application are often used interchangeably, and the described technology can be used in the above-mentioned systems and radio technologies, as well as in other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes a New Radio (NR) system for example purposes, and NR terminology is used in most of the following description, but these technologies can also be applied to systems other than NR systems, such as 6th Generation (6G) communication systems. th

[0055] ​FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication system to which embodiments of the present application can be applied. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. The terminal 11 can be a terminal-side device such as a mobile phone, a Tablet Personal Computer, a Laptop Computer, a notebook computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a palmtop computer, a netbook, an Ultra-mobile Personal Computer (UMPC), a Mobile Internet Device (MID), an Augmented Reality (AR) device, a Virtual Reality (VR) device, a robot, a wearable device, a flight vehicle, a Vehicle User Equipment (VUE), a shipboard device, a Pedestrian User Equipment (PUE), a smart home (a home device with a wireless communication function such as a refrigerator, a television, a washing machine, or furniture), a game console, a Personal Computer (PC), a kiosk, or a self-service machine. The wearable device includes a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a smart earphone, smart glasses, smart jewelry (a smart bracelet, a smart necklace, a smart ring, a smart necklace, a smart anklet, a smart necklace, etc.), a smart wristband, smart clothes, etc. The vehicle-mounted device can also be referred to as a vehicle-mounted terminal, a vehicle-mounted controller, a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted component, a vehicle-mounted chip, or a vehicle-mounted unit, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of the terminal 11 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The network-side device 12 can include an access network device or a core network device. The access network device can also be referred to as a Radio Access Network (RAN) device, a radio access network function, or a radio access network unit. The access network device can include a base station, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Access Point (AP), or a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) node, etc.The base station can be referred to as a Node B (NB), an evolved Node B (eNB), a next generation Node B (gNB), a New Radio Node B (NR Node B), an access point, a relay station (RBS), a serving base station (SBS), a base transceiver station (BTS), a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), a home Node B (HNB), a home evolved Node B, a transmit / receive point (TRP), or some other suitable terminology in the art, and is not limited to a particular technical terminology, provided that the same technical effect is achieved. It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, only the base station in the NR system is taken as an example for introduction, and the specific type of the base station is not limited.

[0056] The core network device can also be referred to as a core network node, a core network function, or a core network network element, etc., which includes but is not limited to at least one of the following: a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a user plane function (UPF), a policy control function (PCF), a policy and charging rules function (PCRF), an edge application server discovery function (EASDF), a unified data management (UDM), a unified data repository (UDR), a home subscriber server (HSS), a centralized network configuration (CNC), a network repository function (NRF), a network exposure function (NEF), a local NEF (L-NEF), a binding support function (BSF), an application function (AF), a location management function (LMF), a gateway mobile location center (GMLC), a network data analytics function (NWDAF), etc. It should be noted that only the core network device in the NR system is taken as an example for introduction in the embodiments of the present application, and the specific type of the core network device is not limited. If the name of the core network device mentioned in the embodiments of the present application changes in the subsequent protocol version (for example, 6G), it is also within the protection scope of the present application.

[0057] Optionally, the core network device can be implemented by one or more function modules in one device, or can be implemented by multiple devices together, and the embodiments of the present application do not make a specific limitation in this regard. It can be understood that the above function modules can be network elements in a hardware device, can be software function modules running on a special hardware, or can be virtualized function modules instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform).

[0058] The existing service-based architecture-based network element interaction mode has certain limitations, such as limited load that can be borne, and is not suitable for transmitting large data, for example, is not suitable for transmitting a large amount of data or large files.

[0059] To solve the above problems, the present application introduces a communication device with data plane related capabilities, a second communication device, on the network side, so that there is a set of data-oriented architecture similar to the service-based architecture (Service Based Architecture, SBA) in the network, that is, an architecture specially for data transmission between communication devices. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the network architecture. As shown in Figure 2, in the network architecture, the second communication device 20, the data consumer (Consumer) and the data provider (provider) can interact through the SBA bus 21.

[0060] In some embodiments, in order to manage and control the transmission of data, and in order to transmit data, the second communication device can be referred to as a data plane network element (Data Plane function, DPF), and of course the second communication device can also have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0061] In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4, the second communication device includes at least one of a data plane control network element (Data Plane Function-Control, DPF-C) 201 and a data plane user network element (Data Plane Function-User, DPF-U) 202. Wherein, the DPFC 201 can interact with the data consumer (Consumer) and / or the data provider (provider) through the SBA bus 21, and the DPFC 201 and the DPFU 202 can communicate through internal connection.

[0062] Optionally, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the present application further introduces a DBA bus 22, and the second communication device 20, the data consumer (Consumer) and the data provider (provider) can interact through the SBA bus 21, or can interact through the DBA bus.

[0063] Optionally, the second communication device can also be provided with a message middleware, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the DPF-U 202 can also be connected with a message middleware 203. The connection of the DPF-U with the message middleware means that the internal of the DPF-U can be implemented based on the message middleware. The message middleware refers to a set of message processing theories, which can realize decoupling (not directly connected), asynchrony and peak clipping of the message provider and the consumer. The specific implementation mode can be Kafka architecture and the like.

[0064] Optionally, the message middleware can be a Message Bus. The Message Bus is a high-efficiency and stable message passing middleware. It implements a communication protocol from one device to another device, supports polling, long polling and long polling plus streaming modes and the like.

[0065] On the basis of the network architecture, the embodiment of the present application proposes a communication method. The communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below by combining some embodiments and application scenarios.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 5, the communication method proposed by an embodiment of the present application can include:

[0067] In step 501, a first communication device receives a network element discovery request sent by a data consumer, wherein the network element discovery request is used to request to find a second communication device, the first communication device is a communication device with a network storage function, and the second communication device is a communication device with a data plane related capability.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first communication device can be a network repository function (NRF). The first communication device stores the identification information and the first capability information of the second communication device, or the second communication device is registered in the first communication device. The first capability information includes the capability information possessed or corresponding to the second communication device.

[0069] In an implementation mode, the first capability information is used to indicate a first capability, and the first capability includes all or part of the capabilities possessed by the network element or the network function.

[0070] It should be noted that the second communication device can be a network element or a network function with a data plane related capability, and the network element discovery request can also be referred to as a network function discovery request.

[0071] In some embodiments, the data consumer can send the network element discovery request through Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request; wherein the network element discovery request carries at least one of the following:

[0072] a network element type of the second communication device to be searched for;

[0073] second capability information, the second capability information comprising capability information corresponding to the second communication device to be searched for or expected.

[0074] It should be noted that the expected refers to the capability and the like that the searched second communication device needs to meet.

[0075] It should be noted that the capability information corresponding to the above can refer to the capability information having or having the meaning and the like.

[0076] In an implementation manner, the second capability information is used to indicate a second capability, and the second capability information is used to indicate a request for searching for a network element or a network function having the second capability.

[0077] Optionally, before step 501, the method shown in FIG. 5 can further include: the first communication device receiving first information sent by the second communication device, wherein the first information comprises identification information of the second communication device and first capability information, and the first capability information comprises capability information corresponding to the second communication device.

[0078] On this basis, optionally, the method shown in FIG. 5 can further include: the first communication device sending second response information for the first information to the second communication device.

[0079] The first information can be carried by a registration message to request registration of the data plane related capability of the second communication device, for example, the first information can be carried by a message such as Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister Request; or the first information can be carried by a message for requesting update of the data plane related capability of the second communication device.

[0080] The second response information can be a response of successfully processing the first information in the case that the first communication device successfully processes the first information, for example, in the case that the first information is registered and successfully saved. For example, when the second communication device sends the first information by a registration message, the first communication device stores the first information after receiving the registration message, and sends the second response message, which can be sent by Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister response, to notify the second communication device of the successful registration.

[0081] The identification information of the second communication device can comprise at least one of the following:

[0082] Network Function instance ID (NF instance ID);

[0083] Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of the NF;

[0084] IP address of the NF;

[0085] Element Type Identifier (ETI) of the network element;

[0086] Element Type (ET) of the network element.

[0087] The first capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0088] 1) Data plane related capability information, which specifically includes at least one of the following:

[0089] a. Capability of controlling data transmission, which is used to indicate whether the second communication device can determine whether the data to be transmitted can be acquired, and the protocol, method (CP / UP / DP plane), encoding mode, etc. used for transmitting the data;

[0090] b. Capability of data transmission, which is used to indicate that the requested data can be transmitted, or the required data can be acquired, etc.;

[0091] c. Capability of protocol conversion, which is used to convert information of one protocol into information of another protocol. For example, in the case where a message middleware is provided in the second communication device, the capability of supporting protocol conversion includes the capability of converting information that is not supported by the message middleware into information that is supported by the message middleware, such as the capability of converting information that is not supported by the message Bus into information that is supported / recognized by the message Bus;

[0092] d. Capability of supporting an efficient signaling transmission protocol, which is used to indicate that the second communication device supports an efficient signaling transmission protocol, such as an HTTP3 protocol, etc.

[0093] e. Capability of supporting a large data transmission protocol, which is used to indicate that the second communication device supports a large data transmission protocol, such as a protocol buf, an FTP protocol, etc.

[0094] It should be noted that the above data plane related capability information can be indication information, which is used to indicate the data plane capability information, i.e., explicit or implicit indication.

[0095] 2) Supported service information, which specifically includes at least one of the following:

[0096] a. Data subscription service, used to indicate that a certain type / topic of data can be subscribed through the service; for example, a data consumer can subscribe to positioning related data through the service.

[0097] b. Data un-subscription service, used to indicate that a certain type / topic of data can be un-subscribed through the service; for example, a data consumer can un-subscribe to positioning related data through the service.

[0098] c. Data sending service, used to indicate that subscribed data can be sent through the service; for example, a second communication device can send data that a data consumer has subscribed to the data consumer through the service;

[0099] d. Data request service, used to indicate that a certain type / topic of data can be requested through the service; it is to be noted that the requested certain type / topic of data can also be fed back through a feedback message of the service; for example, a data consumer can request positioning related data through the service; a second communication device can feed back positioning related data through a feedback message of the request message;

[0100] e. Data receiving service, through which data sent by other data providers can be received; for example, a second communication device can receive data sent by other data providers through the service;

[0101] f. Data management service, used to indicate that generated data, or data collected by data plane related network elements can be managed through the service; for example, a data provider can manage data generated by it through the service;

[0102] g. Data management registration service, used to indicate that data that can be collected by a data consumer, or data that can be generated by a data provider can be registered / recorded through the service;

[0103] h. Data update registration service, used to indicate that data that can be collected by a data consumer, or data that can be generated by a data provider can be updated through the service;

[0104] i. Data management deregistration service, used to indicate that related information of a data consumer can be deregistered through the service;

[0105] o. Data management configuration service, used to indicate that data to be collected and / or sent can be configured through the service and / or target; for example, a DPF-C can inform a DPF-U through the service that X data needs to be collected from an A network element and sent to a B network element;

[0106] or target; for example, a DPF-C can inform a DPF-U through the service that X data needs to be collected from an A network element and sent to a B network element;

[0107] p. Data management de-configuration service, used to indicate that previous configuration information can be cancelled through the service.

[0108] It should be noted that the data provider can be a communication device that generates data, such as an NF, an OAM, a UE, an AF, etc.

[0109] 3) Supported transmission bus information, wherein the transmission bus information can include at least one of an SBA bus and a DBA bus, if the transmission bus information includes the SBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the second communication device supports the SBA bus and / or a protocol corresponding to the SBA bus; if the transmission bus information includes the DBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the second communication device supports the DBA bus and / or a protocol corresponding to the DBA bus;

[0110] 4) Supported data source information, used to indicate device information corresponding to data that the second communication device can obtain, which can be a device type such as a UE, a RAN, a network element, etc., or a device identification granularity such as a UE ID, a RAN ID, an NF ID, etc.; it should be noted that the device identification can be in the form of a list such as a UE ID list, etc.

[0111] 5) Supported data consumer information, used to indicate an object to which the second communication device can deliver data, or in other words, device information from which the second communication device can obtain data, which can be a device type such as a UE, a RAN, a network element, etc., or a device identification granularity such as a UE ID, a RAN ID, an NF ID, etc.; it should be noted that the device identification can be in the form of a list such as a UE ID list, etc.

[0112] 6) Supported service range, used to indicate a range covered by the second communication device, or in other words, a range corresponding to data that can be obtained, such as an area information, or an IP range;

[0113] 7) Associated other data plane related network elements, used to indicate other data plane related network elements corresponding to the second communication device, or in other words, other data plane related network elements managed by the second communication device, for example, if the second communication device includes a meta DPF-C, the associated other data plane related network elements can include a DPF-U.

[0114] The second capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0115] 1) Expected data plane related capability information, which can include at least one of the following:

[0116] a. the ability to control data transmission, indicating that the second communication device to be searched can obtain the data to be transmitted, and the protocol, method (CP / UP / DP surface), encoding method, etc. used to transmit the data;

[0117] b. the ability of data transmission, indicating that the second communication device to be searched can transmit the requested data, or obtain the required data, etc.

[0118] c. the ability of protocol conversion, including the ability to convert information not supported by the message middleware into information supported by the message middleware, such as the ability to convert non-message Bus information into message Bus supported / recognized information, in the case of the message middleware provided in the second communication device to be searched;

[0119] d. the ability to support efficient signaling transmission protocol, indicating that the second communication device to be searched supports efficient signaling transmission protocol, such as HTTP3 protocol, etc.

[0120] e. the ability to support large data transmission protocol, indicating that the second communication device to be searched supports large data transmission protocol, such as protocol buf, FTP protocol, etc.

[0121] 2) expected service information, which can specifically include at least one of the following:

[0122] a. data subscription service, indicating that a certain type / topic of data needs to be subscribed through the service;

[0123] b. cancel data subscription service, indicating that a certain type / topic of data needs to be unsubscribed through the service;

[0124] c. data sending service, indicating that the subscribed data needs to be sent through the service;

[0125] d. data request service, indicating that a certain type / topic of data needs to be requested through the service; it should be noted that the requested certain type / topic of data can also be fed back through the feedback message of the service;

[0126] e. data receiving service, indicating that the data sent by other data providers needs to be received through the service;

[0127] f. data management service, indicating that the generated data or the data collected by the data surface related network element needs to be managed through the service;

[0128] g. Data management registration service, used to indicate that the data that the data consumer can collect needs to be registered / registered through the service;

[0129] h. Data update registration service, used to indicate that the data that the data consumer can generate needs to be updated through the service;

[0130] i. Data management deregistration service, used to indicate that the related information of the data consumer needs to be deregistered through the service.

[0131] 3) Expected transmission bus information, wherein the transmission bus information can include at least one of an SBA bus and a DBA bus, if the transmission bus information includes the SBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the second communication device to be searched supports the SBA bus and / or the protocol corresponding to the SBA bus; if the transmission bus information includes the DBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the second communication device to be searched supports the DBA bus and / or the protocol corresponding to the DBA bus;

[0132] 4) Expected data source information, used to indicate device information corresponding to data that the second communication device to be searched can obtain, which can be device types such as UE, RAN, network element, etc., or device identification granularity such as UE ID, RAN ID, NF ID, etc.; it should be noted that the device identification can be presented in the form of a list, such as UE ID list, etc.;

[0133] 5) Self information of the data consumer, used to indicate device information of itself, such as device type, or device identification, etc. Through the information, it is convenient to judge whether the network element to be searched can interact with the network element, such as data transmission, etc.;

[0134] 6) Expected coverage service range, used to indicate the range covered by the second communication device to be searched, or the range corresponding to the data that can be obtained, such as an area information, or an IP range;

[0135] 7) Expected associated other data plane related network elements, used to indicate other data plane related network elements corresponding to the second communication device to be searched, or other data plane related network elements managed by the second communication device to be searched, for example, if the second communication device to be searched includes a meta DPF-C, the associated other data plane related network elements can include a DPF-U.

[0136] It should be noted that the above certain type of data or certain topic data is used to limit the data. The data set identification information, or the data type set identification information, or the identification of one or more data types, etc. are not limited in specific form. It can also be distinguished by data analysis task identification (analytics ID) and other methods.

[0137] It should be noted that the above network element and communication device have similar meanings, both representing communication devices and / or network functions in a communication network.

[0138] It should be noted that the above service is based on bus or protocol (per SBA / DBA, per protocol), that is, the service supported by a certain second communication device is different for different protocols / buses.

[0139] Step 502, the first communication device sends the first response information for the network element search request to the data consumer.

[0140] In some embodiments, if the first communication device does not find the second communication device, the first response information can be a response of search failure, and optionally, the first response information can also carry the reason for the search failure.

[0141] In some embodiments, if the first communication device finds the second communication device, the first response information can include the identification information of the found second communication device, or the first response information can include the identification information of the found second communication device and third capability information, the third capability information including the capability information corresponding to the found second communication device.

[0142] In an implementation, the third capability information is used to indicate a third capability, and the third capability includes all or part of the capabilities possessed by the found network element or network function.

[0143] It should also be noted that the second capability information or the third capability information can be part of the first capability information for a certain second communication device.

[0144] Correspondingly, the data consumer can interact with the found second communication device for data transmission related interaction after receiving the first response information and the first response information containing the related information of the found second communication device.

[0145] The communication method proposed in the embodiment of FIG. 5 is more suitable for transmitting large data and improving the efficiency of large data transmission, because the second communication device with data plane related capability is introduced into the network, and the data consumer finds the second communication device from the first communication device with network storage function to obtain data service.

[0146] As shown in FIG. 6, a communication method according to another embodiment of the present application can include the following steps.

[0147] In step 601, a data consumer sends a network element search request to a first communication device, wherein the network element search request is used to request to search for a second communication device, the second communication device is a communication device with data plane related capability, and the first communication device is a communication device with network repository function.

[0148] In step 602, the data consumer receives first response information sent by the first communication device for the network element search request.

[0149] In some embodiments, the first communication device can be a network repository function (NRF). The first communication device stores the identification information and the first capability information of the second communication device, or the second communication device is registered in the first communication device. The first capability information includes the capability information possessed or corresponding to the second communication device.

[0150] In some embodiments, the data consumer can send the network element search request through Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request. The network element search request carries at least one of the following information:

[0151] The network element type of the second communication device to be searched for;

[0152] Second capability information, which includes the capability information corresponding to the second communication device to be searched for or expected.

[0153] It should be noted that the above-mentioned corresponding capability information can mean capability information possessed or having.

[0154] The identification information of the second communication device can include at least one of the following information:

[0155] Network function instance ID (NF instance ID);

[0156] Formal domain name (Fully Qualified Domain Name, FQDN) of NF;

[0157] IP address of NF;

[0158] Network element instance identification information;

[0159] Network element type.

[0160] The second capability information can include at least one of the following:

[0161] The second capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0162] 1) Desired data plane related capability information, which can specifically include at least one of the following:

[0163] a. Capability of controlling data transmission, which is used to indicate that the second communication device to be searched can acquire the data to be transmitted, and the protocol, method (CP / UP / DP plane), encoding mode, etc. used for transmitting the data;

[0164] b. Capability of data transmission, which is used to indicate that the second communication device to be searched can transmit the requested data, or acquire the required data, etc.

[0165] c. Capability of protocol conversion, which is used to convert information of one protocol into information of another protocol. For example, in the case where a message middleware is provided in the second communication device to be searched, the capability of protocol conversion includes the capability of converting information not supported by the message middleware into information supported by the message middleware, such as the capability of converting information of a non-message Bus into information that can be supported / recognized by the message Bus.

[0166] d. Capability of supporting an efficient signaling transmission protocol, which is used to indicate the capability of the second communication device to be searched in supporting the efficient signaling transmission protocol, such as the capability of the second communication device to be searched in supporting the HTTP3 protocol.

[0167] e. Capability of supporting a large data transmission protocol, which is used to indicate the capability of the second communication device to be searched in supporting the large data transmission protocol, such as the capability of the network element in supporting the protocol buf and the FTP protocol.

[0168] 2) Desired service information, which can specifically include at least one of the following:

[0169] a. Data subscription service, which is used to indicate the need to subscribe to a certain type / topic of data through the service;

[0170] b. Data unsubscription service, which is used to indicate the need to unsubscribe to a certain type / topic of data through the service;

[0171] c. Data sending service, which is used to indicate the need to send the subscribed data through the service;

[0172] d. Data request service, which is used to indicate the need to request a certain type / topic of data through the service; It should be noted that the feedback message of the service can also be used to feedback the requested certain type / topic of data.

[0173] e. Data receiving service, used to indicate that data sent by other data providers needs to be received through the service;

[0174] f. Data management service, used to indicate that data generated or collected by data plane related network elements needs to be managed through the service;

[0175] g. Data management registration service, used to indicate that data that can be collected by data consumers needs to be registered through the service;

[0176] h. Data update registration service, used to indicate that data that can be generated by data consumers needs to be updated through the service;

[0177] i. Data management deregistration service, used to indicate that related information of data consumers needs to be deregistered through the service.

[0178] 3) Expected transmission bus information, wherein the transmission bus information can include at least one of an SBA bus and a DBA bus, if the transmission bus information includes the SBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the second communication device to be searched supports the SBA bus and / or a protocol corresponding to the SBA bus; if the transmission bus information includes the DBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the second communication device to be searched supports the DBA bus and / or a protocol corresponding to the DBA bus;

[0179] 4) Expected data source information, used to indicate device information corresponding to data that can be acquired by the second communication device to be searched, which can be a device type such as UE, RAN, network element, etc., or a device identification granularity such as UE ID, RAN ID, NF ID, etc.; it should be noted that the device identification can be presented in the form of a list, such as UE ID list, etc.;

[0180] 5) Self information of the data consumer, used to indicate device information of itself, such as device type or device identification, etc. Through the information, it is convenient to judge whether the network element to be searched can interact with the network element, such as data transmission, etc.;

[0181] 6) Expected service range, used to indicate a range covered by the second communication device to be searched, or a range corresponding to the data that can be acquired, such as an area information or an IP range;

[0182] 7) other data plane related network elements expected to be associated, used to indicate other data plane related network elements corresponding to the second communication device to be found, or other data plane related network elements managed by the second communication device to be found, for example, if the second communication device to be found includes a meta DPF-C, the associated other data plane related network elements can include a DPF-U.

[0183] In some embodiments, if the first communication device does not find the second communication device, the first response information can be a response of a failed search, and optionally, the first response information can also carry a reason for the failed search.

[0184] In some embodiments, if the first communication device finds the second communication device, the first response information can include identification information of the found second communication device, or the first response information can include identification information of the found second communication device and third capability information, the third capability information including capability information corresponding to the found second communication device.

[0185] It should be further noted that for a certain second communication device, the corresponding first capability information, second capability information and third capability information can be the same or different. Generally, the second capability information or the third capability information corresponding to the second communication device is part or all of the first capability information corresponding to the second communication device.

[0186] Optionally, the method shown in FIG. 6 can further include:

[0187] The data consumer determines the second communication device according to the first response information;

[0188] The data consumer sends a service acquisition request to the second communication device, wherein the service acquisition request is used to request to acquire a target data service.

[0189] The target data service can include but is not limited to at least one of the following:

[0190] Data subscription service;

[0191] Cancel data subscription service;

[0192] Data sending service;

[0193] Data request service;

[0194] Data receiving service;

[0195] Data management service;

[0196] Data management registration service;

[0197] Data update registration service;

[0198] data management deregistration service;

[0199] data management configuration service;

[0200] data management deconfiguration service.

[0201] The communication method proposed by the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is more suitable for transmitting big data and improves the efficiency of big data transmission, because the second communication device with data plane related capability is introduced into the network, and the data consumer finds the second communication device from the first communication device with network storage function to obtain data service, so as to transmit big data.

[0202] As shown in FIG. 7, the communication method proposed by another embodiment of the present application can include:

[0203] In step 701, the second communication device sends first information to the first communication device, wherein the second communication device is a communication device with data plane related capability, the first communication device is a communication device with network storage function, the first information includes identification information and first capability information of the second communication device, and the first capability information includes the capability information corresponding to the second communication device.

[0204] In some embodiments, the first communication device can be a network repository function (NRF).

[0205] Optionally, the method shown in FIG. 7 can further include that the second communication device receives second response information sent by the first communication device for the first information.

[0206] The first information can be carried by a registration message to request registration of the data plane related capability of the second communication device, for example, the first information can be carried by a message such as Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister Request; or the first information can be carried by a message for requesting update of the data plane related capability of the second communication device.

[0207] When the first communication device successfully processes the first information, such as when the first information is successfully registered and saved, the second response information can be a response to successfully process the first information. For example, when the second communication device sends the first information by a registration message, the first communication device stores the first information after receiving the registration message, and sends a second response message, which can be sent by Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister response, to notify the second communication device that the registration is successful.

[0208] The identity information of the second communication device can include at least one of the following:

[0209] a network function instance ID (NF instance ID);

[0210] a formal domain name (FQDN) of the NF;

[0211] an IP address of the NF;

[0212] network element instance identification information;

[0213] a network element type.

[0214] The first capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0215] 1) data plane related capability information, which can include at least one of the following:

[0216] a. capability of controlling data transmission, used to indicate whether the second communication device can determine whether the data to be transmitted can be acquired, and the protocol, method (CP / UP / DP plane), encoding method, etc. used for transmitting data;

[0217] b. capability of data transmission, used to indicate that the requested data can be transmitted, or the required data can be acquired, etc.;

[0218] c. capability of protocol conversion, which refers to converting information of one protocol into information of another protocol. For example, in the case where a message middleware is provided in the second communication device, the capability of supporting protocol conversion includes the capability of converting information that the message middleware does not support into information that the message middleware supports, such as the capability of converting information that is not supported by the message Bus into information that can be supported / recognized by the message Bus;

[0219] d. capability of supporting an efficient signaling transmission protocol, used to indicate that the second communication device supports an efficient signaling transmission protocol, such as an HTTP3 protocol, etc.

[0220] e. capability of supporting a large data transmission protocol, used to indicate that the second communication device supports a large data transmission protocol, such as a protocol buf, an FTP protocol, etc.

[0221] 2) supported service information, which can include at least one of the following:

[0222] a. Data subscription service, used to indicate that a certain class / topic of data can be subscribed through the service;

[0223] b. Data unsubscription service, used to indicate that a certain class / topic of data can be unsubscribed through the service;

[0224] c. Data sending service, used to indicate that subscribed data can be sent through the service;

[0225] d. Data request service, used to indicate that a certain class / topic of data can be requested through the service; it should be noted that the requested data of a certain class / topic can also be fed back through the feedback message of the service;

[0226] e. Data receiving service, through which data sent by other data providers can be received;

[0227] f. Data management service, used to indicate that the generated data or the collected data by the data plane related network element can be managed through the service;

[0228] g. Data management registration service, used to indicate that the data that can be collected by the data consumer can be registered through the service;

[0229] h. Data update registration service, used to indicate that the data that can be generated by the data consumer can be updated through the service;

[0230] i. Data management deregistration service, used to indicate that the related information of the data consumer can be deregistered through the service;

[0231] o. Data management configuration service, used to indicate that the data and / or target to be collected and / or sent can be configured through the service; for example, the DPF-C informs the DPF-U through the service that X data needs to be collected from an A network element and sent to a B network element;

[0232] p. Data management deconfiguration service, used to indicate that the previous configuration information can be cancelled through the service.

[0233] 3) Supported transmission bus information, wherein the transmission bus information can include at least one of an SBA bus and a DBA bus, if the transmission bus information includes the SBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the second communication device supports the SBA bus and / or the protocol corresponding to the SBA bus; if the transmission bus information includes the DBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the second communication device supports the DBA bus and / or the protocol corresponding to the DBA bus;

[0234] 4) supported data source information, used to indicate device information corresponding to data that the second communication device can obtain, which can be device types such as UE, RAN, network element, etc., or device identification granularity such as UE ID, RAN ID, NF ID, etc.; it should be noted that the device identification can be presented in the form of a list, such as UE ID list, etc.;

[0235] 5) supported data consumer information, used to indicate objects to which the second communication device can deliver data, or in other words, device information from which the second communication device can obtain data, which can be device types such as UE, RAN, network element, etc., or device identification granularity such as UE ID, RAN ID, NF ID, etc.; it should be noted that the device identification can be presented in the form of a list, such as UE ID list, etc.;

[0236] 6) supported service range, used to indicate a range covered by the second communication device, or in other words, a range corresponding to the data that can be obtained, for example, an area information, or an IP range;

[0237] 7) associated other data plane related network elements, used to indicate other data plane related network elements corresponding to the second communication device, or in other words, other data plane related network elements managed by the second communication device, for example, if the second communication device includes a meta DPF-C, the associated other data plane related network elements can include a DPF-U.

[0238] Optionally, the method shown in FIG. 7 can further include:

[0239] The second communication device receives a service acquisition request sent by a data consumer, wherein the data consumer is found from the first communication device to the second communication device, and the service acquisition request is used to request to acquire a target data service;

[0240] The second communication device sends third response information to the service acquisition request to the data consumer.

[0241] The target data service can include but is not limited to at least one of the following:

[0242] Data subscription service;

[0243] Cancel data subscription service;

[0244] Data sending service;

[0245] Data request service;

[0246] Data receiving service;

[0247] Data management service;

[0248] Data management registration service;

[0249] Data update registration service;

[0250] Data management deregistration service;

[0251] Data management configuration service;

[0252] Data management deconfiguration service.

[0253] The third response information can be a response to a service acquisition request failure, or a response to a service acquisition request success.

[0254] The communication method proposed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is more suitable for transmitting big data and improves the big data transmission efficiency, because the second communication device with data plane related capability is introduced into the network, and the data consumer finds the second communication device from the first communication device with network storage function to acquire data service.

[0255] The communication method proposed in the application will be described below through three specific embodiments.

[0256] Embodiment 1

[0257] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the first communication device is NRF 81, and the second communication device is DPF 82.

[0258] As shown in FIG. 8, the communication method proposed in embodiment 1 can include:

[0259] In step 801, the DPF 82 sends first information to the NRF 81, wherein the first information includes the identification information of the DPF 82 and first capability information, and the first capability information includes the capability information corresponding to the DPF 82.

[0260] The first information can be carried by a registration message to request registration of the data plane related capability of the DPF 82, for example, the first information can be carried by a message such as Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister Request; or the first information can be carried by a message for requesting to update the data plane related capability of the DPF 82.

[0261] The identification information of the DPF 82 can include at least one of the following:

[0262] Network function instance ID (NF instance ID);

[0263] a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of the NF;

[0264] b an IP address of the NF;

[0265] c an instance identifier of the network element;

[0266] d a type of the network element.

[0267] The first capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0268] 1) data plane related capability information, which specifically includes at least one of the following:

[0269] a. a capability of controlling data transmission, used to indicate whether the second communication device can determine whether the data to be transmitted can be acquired, and a protocol, a method (CP / UP / DP plane), an encoding mode, etc. used for transmitting the data;

[0270] b. a capability of data transmission, used to indicate that the requested data can be transmitted, or the required data can be acquired, etc.;

[0271] c. a capability of protocol conversion, used to convert information of one protocol into information of another protocol, for example, in the case where the message middleware is provided in the DPF 82, the capability of protocol conversion includes a capability of converting information not supported by the message middleware into information supported by the message middleware, for example, a capability of converting information of a non-message Bus into information supported / recognized by the message Bus;

[0272] d. a capability of supporting an efficient signaling transmission protocol, used to indicate that the second communication device supports an efficient signaling transmission protocol, for example, supports an HTTP3 protocol, etc.

[0273] e. a capability of supporting a large data transmission protocol, used to indicate that the second communication device supports a large data transmission protocol, for example, supports a protocol buf, an FTP protocol, etc.

[0274] 2) supported service information, which specifically includes at least one of the following:

[0275] a. a data subscription service, used to indicate that a certain type / topic of data can be subscribed through the service;

[0276] b. a data unsubscription service, used to indicate that a certain type / topic of data can be unsubscribed through the service;

[0277] c. a data sending service, used to indicate that the subscribed data can be sent through the service;

[0278] d. Data request service, used to indicate that data of a certain type / topic can be requested through the service; it should be noted that the requested data of a certain type / topic can also be fed back through the feedback message of the service;

[0279] e. Data receiving service, through which data sent by other data providers can be received;

[0280] f. Data management service, used to indicate that data generated or collected by data plane related network elements can be managed through the service;

[0281] g. Data management registration service, used to indicate that data that can be collected by data consumers 83 can be registered through the service;

[0282] h. Data update registration service, used to indicate that data that can be generated by data consumers 83 can be updated through the service;

[0283] i. Data management deregistration service, used to indicate that the relevant information of data consumers 83 can be deregistered through the service;

[0284] o. Data management configuration service, used to indicate that the data and / or target to be collected and / or sent can be configured through the service; for example, the DPF-C informs the DPF-U through the service that X data needs to be collected from an A network element and sent to a B network element;

[0285] p. Data management deconfiguration service, used to indicate that the previous configuration information can be cancelled through the service.

[0286] 3) Supported transmission bus information, wherein the transmission bus information can include at least one of an SBA bus and a DBA bus, if the transmission bus information includes an SBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the DPF 82 supports the SBA bus and / or the protocol corresponding to the SBA bus; if the transmission bus information includes a DBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the DPF 82 supports the DBA bus and / or the protocol corresponding to the DBA bus;

[0287] 4) Supported data source information, used to indicate device information corresponding to data that can be obtained by the DPF 82, which can be a device type such as UE, RAN, network element, etc., or a device identification granularity such as UE ID, RAN ID, NF ID, etc.; it should be noted that the device identification can be presented in the form of a list, such as UE ID list, etc.;

[0288] 5) Supported data consumer information, used to indicate the object that the DPF 82 can deliver data to, or in other words, the device information that can obtain data from the DPF 82, which can be a device type such as a UE, a RAN, a network element, etc., or a device identification granularity such as a UE ID, a RAN ID, a NF ID, etc.; it should be noted that the device identification can be in the form of a list, such as a UE ID list, etc.;

[0289] 6) Supported service range, used to indicate the range covered by the DPF 82, or in other words, the range corresponding to the data that can be obtained, for example, an area information, or an IP range;

[0290] 7) Associated other data plane related network elements, used to indicate other data plane related network elements corresponding to the DPF 82, or in other words, other data plane related network elements managed by the DPF 82, for example, if the DPF 82 includes a DPF-C, the associated other data plane related network elements can include a DPF-U.

[0291] Step 802, the NRF 81 stores the first information.

[0292] Step 803, the NRF 81 returns second response information to the DPF 82.

[0293] Wherein, in the case that the NRF 81 successfully processes the first information, such as registers and successfully saves the first information, the second response information can be a response of successfully processing the first information. For example, when the DPF 82 sends the first information by a registration message, the NRF 81 stores the first information after receiving the registration message, and sends a second response message, which can be specifically sent by Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister response, to notify the DPF 82 that the registration is successful.

[0294] Step 804, the data consumer 83 sends a network element discovery request to the DPF 82 according to the second response information.

[0295] In some embodiments, the data consumer 83 can send a network element discovery request by Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request; wherein the network element discovery request carries at least one of the following:

[0296] The network element type of the DPF 82 to be found;

[0297] Second capability information, the second capability information includes the capability information corresponding to the DPF 82 to be found or expected.

[0298] The second capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0299] 1) expected data plane related capability information, which specifically includes at least one of the following:

[0300] a. capability of controlling data transmission, which is used to indicate that the DPF 82 to be searched can acquire the data to be transmitted, and the protocol, method (CP / UP / DP plane), encoding mode, etc. used for transmitting the data;

[0301] b. capability of data transmission, which is used to indicate that the DPF 82 to be searched can transmit the requested data, or acquire the required data, etc.;

[0302] c. capability of protocol conversion, which is used to convert information of one protocol into information of another protocol, for example, in the case where the message middleware is provided in the DPF 82 to be searched, the capability of protocol conversion includes the capability of converting information not supported by the message middleware into information supported by the message middleware, for example, the capability of converting information not supported by the message Bus into information supported / recognized by the message Bus;

[0303] d. capability of supporting efficient signaling transmission protocol, which is used to indicate the capability of the DPF 82 to be searched to support the efficient signaling transmission protocol, for example, the capability of the DPF 82 to be searched to support the HTTP3 protocol, etc.;

[0304] e. capability of supporting large data transmission protocol, which is used to indicate the capability of the DPF 82 to be searched to support the large data transmission protocol, for example, the capability of the network element to support the protocol buf and the FTP protocol, etc.

[0305] 2) expected service information, which specifically includes at least one of the following:

[0306] a. data subscription service, which is used to indicate the need to subscribe to a certain type / topic of data through the service;

[0307] b. data unsubscription service, which is used to indicate the need to unsubscribe to a certain type / topic of data through the service;

[0308] c. data sending service, which is used to indicate the need to send the subscribed data through the service;

[0309] d. data request service, which is used to indicate the need to request a certain type / topic of data through the service; it should be noted that the feedback message of the service can also be used to feedback the requested certain type / topic of data;

[0310] e. a data receiving service for indicating that data transmitted by other data providers needs to be received through the service;

[0311] f. a data management service for indicating that data generated or collected by data plane related network elements needs to be managed through the service;

[0312] g. a data management registration service for indicating that data that can be collected by the data consumer 83 needs to be registered through the service;

[0313] h. a data update registration service for indicating that data that can be generated by the data consumer 83 needs to be updated through the service;

[0314] i. a data management deregistration service for indicating that related information of the data consumer 83 needs to be deregistered through the service.

[0315] 3) expected transmission bus information, wherein the transmission bus information can include at least one of an SBA bus and a DBA bus, if the transmission bus information includes the SBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the DPF 82 to be searched supports the SBA bus and / or a protocol corresponding to the SBA bus, and if the transmission bus information includes the DBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the DPF 82 to be searched supports the DBA bus and / or a protocol corresponding to the DBA bus;

[0316] 4) expected data source information for indicating device information corresponding to data that can be acquired by the DPF 82 to be searched, which can be a device type such as a UE, a RAN, a network element, etc., or a device identification granularity such as a UE ID, a RAN ID, an NF ID, etc.; it should be noted that the device identification can be presented in the form of a list such as a UE ID list, etc.;

[0317] 5) self information of the data consumer 83 for indicating self device information such as a device type or a device identification, etc., through which it is determined whether the network element to be searched can interact with the network element, for example, data transmission, etc.;

[0318] 6) expected service range to be covered for indicating a range covered by the DPF 82 to be searched or a range corresponding to data that can be acquired, for example, an area information or an IP range;

[0319] 7) other data plane related network elements associated with the expected association, used to indicate other data plane related network elements corresponding to the DPF 82 to be found, or other data plane related network elements managed by the DPF 82 to be found, for example, if the DPF 82 to be found includes a meta DPF-C, the other data plane related network elements associated with the expected association can include a DPF-U.

[0320] At step 805, the NRF 81 returns the first response information to the data consumer 83.

[0321] In some embodiments, if the NRF 81 does not find the DPF 82, the first response information can be a response of a failed lookup, and optionally, the first response information can further carry a reason for the failed lookup.

[0322] In some embodiments, if the NRF 81 finds the DPF 82, the first response information can include the identification information of the found DPF 82, or the first response information can include the identification information of the found DPF 82 and third capability information, the third capability information including the capability information corresponding to the found DPF 82.

[0323] It is also necessary to point out that for a certain DPF 82, the second capability information or the third capability information can be part of the first capability information.

[0324] At step 806, the data consumer 83 determines the DPF 81 according to the first response information, and interacts with the DPF 81 to obtain a target data service.

[0325] The target data service can include but is not limited to at least one of the following:

[0326] a data subscription service;

[0327] a data subscription cancellation service;

[0328] a data sending service;

[0329] a data request service;

[0330] a data receiving service;

[0331] a data management service;

[0332] a data management registration service;

[0333] a data update registration service;

[0334] a data management deregistration service;

[0335] a data management configuration service;

[0336] Data management de-provisioning service.

[0337] The communication method proposed by the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is more suitable for transmitting large data and improves the efficiency of large data transmission, because the DPF 82 with data plane related capability is introduced into the network, and the data consumer 83 finds the DPF 82 from the NRF 81 with network storage function to obtain data service.

[0338] Embodiment 2

[0339] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the first communication device is the NRF 81, and the second communication device includes the DPF-C 821.

[0340] As shown in FIG. 9, the communication method proposed by the embodiment 2 can include:

[0341] In step 901, the DPF-C 821 sends first information to the NRF 81, wherein the first information includes the identification information of the DPF-C 821 and the first capability information, and the first capability information includes the capability information corresponding to the DPF 82.

[0342] The first information can be carried by a registration message to request registration of the data plane related capability of the DPF-C 821, for example, the first information can be carried by a message such as Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister Request; or the first information can be carried by a message for requesting update of the data plane related capability of the DPF-C 821.

[0343] The identification information of the DPF-C 821 can include at least one of the following:

[0344] Network function instance ID (NF instance ID);

[0345] Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of the NF;

[0346] IP address of the NF;

[0347] Element instance identification information;

[0348] Element type.

[0349] The first capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0350] 1) Data plane related capability information, which can include at least one of the following:

[0351] a. the ability to control data transmission, used to indicate whether the second communication device can determine whether it can acquire the data to be delivered, and the protocol, method (CP / UP / DP plane), encoding method, etc. used to deliver data;

[0352] b. the ability to support an efficient signaling transmission protocol, used to indicate that the second communication device supports an efficient signaling transmission protocol, such as an HTTP3 protocol, etc.

[0353] 2) supported service information, which can specifically include at least one of the following:

[0354] a. data subscription service, used to indicate that a certain type / topic of data can be subscribed to through this service;

[0355] b. data unsubscription service, used to indicate that a certain type / topic of data can be unsubscribed through this service;

[0356] c. data request service, used to indicate that a certain type / topic of data can be requested through this service; it should be noted that the requested data of a certain type / topic can also be fed back through the feedback message of this service;

[0357] d. data management service, used to indicate that the generated data or the data collected by the data plane related network element can be managed through this service;

[0358] e. data management registration service, used to indicate that the data that can be collected by the data consumer 83 can be registered / registered through this service;

[0359] f. data update registration service, used to indicate that the data that can be generated by the data consumer 83 can be updated through this service;

[0360] g. data management deregistration service, used to indicate that the relevant information of the data consumer 83 can be deregistered through this service.

[0361] 3) supported transmission bus information, wherein the transmission bus can include at least one of an SBA bus and a DBA bus, if the transmission bus information includes an SBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the DPF 82 supports the SBA bus and / or the protocol corresponding to the SBA bus; if the transmission bus information includes a DBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the DPF 82 supports the DBA bus and / or the protocol corresponding to the DBA bus;

[0362] 4) Supported data source information, used to indicate device information corresponding to data that the DPF-C 821 can obtain, which can be a device type such as a UE, a RAN, a network element, etc., or a device identification granularity such as a UE ID, a RAN ID, a NF ID, etc.; it should be noted that the device identification can be in the form of a list such as a UE ID list, etc.;

[0363] 5) Supported data consumer information, used to indicate objects to which the DPF-C 821 can deliver data, or in other words, device information from which the DPF-C 821 can obtain data, which can be a device type such as a UE, a RAN, a network element, etc., or a device identification granularity such as a UE ID, a RAN ID, a NF ID, etc.; it should be noted that the device identification can be in the form of a list such as a UE ID list, etc.;

[0364] 6) Supported service range, used to indicate a range covered by the DPF-C 821, or in other words, a range corresponding to data that can be obtained, for example, an area information, or an IP range;

[0365] 7) Associated other data plane related network elements, used to indicate other data plane related network elements corresponding to the DPF-C 821, or in other words, other data plane related network elements managed by the DPF-C 821, for example, if the DPF-C 821 includes a meta DPF-C, the associated other data plane related network elements can include a DPF-U.

[0366] Step 902, the NRF 81 stores the first information.

[0367] Step 903, the NRF 81 returns second response information to the DPF-C 821.

[0368] Among them, in the case that the NRF 81 successfully processes the first information, such as in the case of registering and successfully saving the first information, the second response information can be a response of successfully processing the first information. For example, when the DPF-C 821 sends the first information by a registration message, after receiving the registration message, the NRF 81 stores the first information and sends a second response message, which can be sent by Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister response, to notify the DPF-C 821 that the registration is successful.

[0369] Step 904, the data consumer 83 sends a network element search request to the DPF-C 821 according to the second response information.

[0370] In some embodiments, the data consumer 83 can send a network element lookup request through Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request; wherein the network element lookup request carries at least one of the following:

[0371] The network element type of the DPF 82 to be looked up;

[0372] Second capability information, including the capability information corresponding to the DPF 82 to be looked up or expected.

[0373] The second capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0374] 1) Expected data plane related capability information, which can include at least one of the following:

[0375] a. Capability of controlling data transmission, used to indicate that the DPF 82 to be looked up can obtain the data to be transmitted, and the protocol, method (CP / UP / DP plane), encoding method, etc. used for transmitting the data;

[0376] b. Indication information of supporting efficient signaling transmission protocol, used to indicate that the DPF 82 to be looked up supports efficient signaling transmission protocol, such as supporting HTTP3 protocol, etc.

[0377] 2) Expected service information, which can include at least one of the following:

[0378] a. Data subscription service, used to indicate that a certain type / topic of data needs to be subscribed through the service;

[0379] b. Data subscription cancellation service, used to indicate that a certain type / topic of data needs to be unsubscribed through the service;

[0380] c. Data request service, used to indicate that a certain type / topic of data needs to be requested through the service; it needs to be noted that the requested certain type / topic of data can also be fed back through the feedback message of the service;

[0381] d. Data management service, used to indicate that the generated data or the data collected by the data plane related network element needs to be managed through the service;

[0382] e. Data management registration service, used to indicate that the data that can be collected by the data consumer 83 needs to be registered / registered through the service;

[0383] f. Data update registration service, used to indicate that the data that can be generated by the data consumer 83 needs to be updated through the service;

[0384] g. A data management deregistration service for indicating relevant information of the data consumer 83 that needs to be deregistered through the service.

[0385] 3) Expected transmission bus information, wherein the transmission bus can include at least one of an SBA bus and a DBA bus, if the transmission bus information includes the SBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the DPF 82 to be found supports the SBA bus and / or the protocol corresponding to the SBA bus; if the transmission bus information includes the DBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the DPF 82 to be found supports the DBA bus and / or the protocol corresponding to the DBA bus.

[0386] 4) Expected data source information, used to indicate device information corresponding to data that can be acquired by the DPF-C 821 to be found, which can be a device type such as UE, RAN, network element, etc., or a device identification granularity such as UE ID, RAN ID, NF ID, etc. It should be noted that the device identification can be in the form of a list, such as UE ID list, etc.

[0387] 5) Self information of the data consumer 83, used to indicate self device information such as device type or device identification, etc. Through the information, it is convenient to judge whether the network element to be found can interact with the network element, for example, data transmission, etc.

[0388] 6) Expected coverage range of service, used to indicate the range covered by the DPF-C 821 to be found, or in other words, the range corresponding to the data that can be acquired, for example, a regional information, or an IP range.

[0389] 7) Expected other data plane related network elements, used to indicate other data plane related network elements corresponding to the DPF-C 821 to be found, or in other words, other data plane related network elements managed by the DPF-C 821 to be found, for example, if the DPF-C 821 to be found includes a meta DPF-C, the associated other data plane related network elements can include a DPF-U.

[0390] Step 905, the NRF 81 returns first response information to the data consumer 83.

[0391] In some embodiments, if the NRF 81 does not find the DPF-C 821, the first response information can be a response of a failed search, and optionally, the first response information can also carry a reason for the failed search.

[0392] In some embodiments, if NRF 81 finds DPF-C 821, the first response information may include the identification information of the found DPF-C 821; or, the first response information may include the identification information of the found DPF-C 821 and third capability information, wherein the third capability information includes the capability information corresponding to the found DPF 82.

[0393] It should also be noted that for a given DPF 82, the second or third capability information may be part of the first capability information.

[0394] Step 906: Data consumer 83 determines DPF 81 based on the first response information and interacts with DPF 81 to obtain the target data service.

[0395] The target data service may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0396] Data subscription service;

[0397] Cancel data subscription service;

[0398] Data transmission service;

[0399] Data request service;

[0400] Data receiving service;

[0401] Data management services;

[0402] Data management registration service;

[0403] Data update registration service;

[0404] Data management requires registration services;

[0405] Data management configuration service;

[0406] Data management is used to configure services.

[0407] The communication method proposed in the embodiment shown in Figure 9 is more suitable for transmitting big data and improves the efficiency of big data transmission because a communication device with data plane correlation capability, DPF-C 821, is introduced into the network. Data consumer 83 can find DPF-C 821 from a communication device with network storage function, NRF 81, to obtain data services.

[0408] Example 3

[0409] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG10, the first communication device is NRF 81 and the second communication device is DPF-U 822.

[0410] As shown in FIG. 10, the communication method proposed in Embodiment 3 can include the following steps:

[0411] In step 1001, the DPF-U 822 sends first information to the NRF 81, where the first information includes identification information of the DPF-U 822 and first capability information, and the first capability information includes capability information corresponding to the DPF 82.

[0412] The first information can be carried by a registration message to request registration of the data plane related capability of the DPF-U 822, for example, the first information can be carried by a message such as Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister Request; or the first information can be carried by a message for requesting update of the data plane related capability of the DPF-U 822.

[0413] The identification information of the DPF-U 822 can include at least one of the following:

[0414] a network function instance ID (NF instance ID);

[0415] a formal domain name (FQDN) of the NF;

[0416] an IP address of the NF;

[0417] element instance identification information;

[0418] an element type.

[0419] The first capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0420] 1) data plane related capability information, which can include at least one of the following:

[0421] a. capability of data transmission, used to indicate that the requested data can be transmitted, or the required data can be obtained, etc.;

[0422] b. capability of protocol conversion, used to convert information of one protocol into information of another protocol, for example, in the case where a message middleware is provided in the DPF-U 822, the capability of protocol conversion includes the capability of converting information not supported by the message middleware into information supported by the message middleware, for example, the capability of converting information of a non-message Bus into information that can be supported / recognized by the message Bus;

[0423] c. The ability to support a large data transmission protocol, which is used to indicate that the second communication device supports a large data transmission protocol, such as protocol buf, FTP protocol, etc.

[0424] 2) Supported service information, which can specifically include at least one of the following:

[0425] a. Data sending service, which is used to indicate that subscribed data can be sent through the service;

[0426] b. Data receiving service, through which data sent by other data providers (data providers) can be received;

[0427] c. Data management configuration service, which is used to indicate that the data to be collected and / or sent and / or the target can be configured through the service; for example, the DPF-C informs the DPF-U through the service that X data needs to be collected from A network element and sent to B network element;

[0428] d. Data management de-configuration service, which is used to indicate that the previous configuration information can be cancelled through the service.

[0429] 3) Supported transmission bus information, wherein the transmission bus can include at least one of an SBA bus and a DBA bus, if the transmission bus information includes an SBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the DPF 82 supports the SBA bus and / or the protocol corresponding to the SBA bus; if the transmission bus information includes a DBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the DPF 82 supports the DBA bus and / or the protocol corresponding to the DBA bus;

[0430] 4) Supported data source information, which is used to indicate device information corresponding to data that the DPF-U 822 can obtain, which can be a device type such as UE, RAN, network element, etc., or a device identification granularity such as UE ID, RAN ID, NF ID, etc.; it should be noted that the device identification can be in the form of a list, such as UE ID list, etc.

[0431] 5) Supported data consumer information, which is used to indicate the object to which the DPF-U 822 can deliver data, or in other words, the device information from which the DPF-U 822 can obtain data, which can be a device type such as UE, RAN, network element, etc., or a device identification granularity such as UE ID, RAN ID, NF ID, etc.; it should be noted that the device identification can be in the form of a list, such as UE ID list, etc.

[0432] 6) a supported service range, used to indicate the range covered by the DPF-U 822, or in other words, the range of data that can be accessed, such as a regional information, or an IP range.

[0433] At step 1002, the NRF 81 stores the first information.

[0434] At step 1003, the NRF 81 returns second response information to the DPF-U 822.

[0435] In the case that the first information is successfully processed by the NRF 81, such as the case that the first information is registered and successfully saved, the second response information can be a response of successfully processing the first information. For example, when the DPF-U 822 sends the first information through a registration message, after receiving the registration message, the NRF 81 stores the first information, and sends a second response message, which can be sent through Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister response, to inform the DPF-U 822 that the registration is successful.

[0436] At step 1004, the data consumer 83 sends a network element search request to the DPF-U 822 according to the second response information.

[0437] In some embodiments, the data consumer 83 can send the network element search request through Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request; wherein the network element search request carries at least one of the following:

[0438] The network element type of the DPF 82 to be searched;

[0439] Second capability information, including the capability information of the DPF 82 to be searched or expected.

[0440] The second capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0441] 1) expected data plane related capability information, which can include at least one of the following:

[0442] a. data transmission capability, used to indicate that the DPF 82 to be searched can transmit the requested data, or obtain the required data, etc.

[0443] b. The ability of protocol conversion, in the case of setting message middleware in the DPF-U 822 to be searched, the ability of protocol conversion includes the ability of converting information not supported by the message middleware into information supported by the message middleware, for example, the ability of converting information not supported by message Bus into information supported / recognized by message Bus;

[0444] c. The ability of supporting large data transmission protocol, used to indicate that the DPF 82 to be searched supports large data transmission protocol, for example, supports protocol buf, FTP protocol, etc.

[0445] 2) Desired service information, which can specifically include at least one of the following:

[0446] a. Data sending service, used to indicate that the subscribed data needs to be sent through the service;

[0447] b. Data receiving service, used to indicate that the data sent by other data providers needs to be received through the service;

[0448] c. Data management configuration service, used to indicate that the data to be collected and / or sent and / or target needs to be configured through the service; for example, the DPF-C informs the DPF-U through the service that X data needs to be collected from A network element and sent to B network element;

[0449] d. Data management de-configuration service, used to indicate that the previous configuration information needs to be cancelled through the service.

[0450] 3) Desired transmission bus information, wherein the transmission bus information can include at least one of SBA bus and DBA bus, if the transmission bus information includes SBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the DPF 82 to be searched supports SBA bus and / or the protocol corresponding to SBA bus; if the transmission bus information includes DBA bus, the transmission bus information is used to indicate that the DPF 82 to be searched supports DBA bus and / or the protocol corresponding to DBA bus;

[0451] 4) Desired data source information, used to indicate the device information corresponding to the data that the DPF-U 822 to be searched can obtain, which can be device type, such as UE, RAN, network element, etc., or device identification granularity, such as UE ID, RAN ID, NF ID, etc.; it needs to be noted that the device identification can be presented in the form of list, such as UE ID list, etc.

[0452] 5) Self information of the data consumer 83, used to indicate self device information, such as device type, or device identifier, etc. Through the information, it is determined whether the network element to be searched can interact with the network element, such as data transmission, etc.

[0453] 6) Expected service range, used to indicate the range covered by the DPF-U 822 to be searched, or the range corresponding to the data available, such as an area information, or an IP range.

[0454] Step 1005, the NRF 81 returns the first response information to the data consumer 83.

[0455] In some embodiments, if the NRF 81 does not find the DPF-U 822, the first response information can be a response of search failure. Optionally, the first response information can also carry the reason of search failure.

[0456] In some embodiments, if the NRF 81 finds the DPF-U 822, the first response information can include the identification information of the DPF-U 822 found, or the first response information can include the identification information of the DPF-U 822 found and the third capability information, wherein the third capability information includes the capability information corresponding to the DPF 82 found.

[0457] It should be further noted that for a certain DPF 82, the second capability information or the third capability information can be part of the first capability information.

[0458] Step 1006, the data consumer 83 determines the DPF 81 according to the first response information, and interacts with the DPF 81 to obtain a target data service.

[0459] The target data service can include but is not limited to at least one of the following:

[0460] Data subscription service;

[0461] Data subscription cancellation service;

[0462] Data sending service;

[0463] Data request service;

[0464] Data receiving service;

[0465] Data management service;

[0466] Data management registration service;

[0467] Data update registration service;

[0468] Data management deregistration service;

[0469] Data management configuration service;

[0470] Data management deconfiguration service.

[0471] The communication method proposed by the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is more suitable for transmitting large data and improves the efficiency of large data transmission, because the DPF-U 822 with data plane related capability is introduced into the network, and the data consumer 83 finds the DPF-U 822 from the NRF 81 with network storage function to obtain data service.

[0472] The communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application can be executed by a virtual device. The method of executing the communication method by a virtual device is taken as an example to illustrate the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0473] As shown in FIG. 11, the embodiment of the present application proposes a communication device 1100, which can be used for a first communication device. The device 1100 can include a first receiving module 1101 and a first sending module 1102.

[0474] The first receiving module 1101 is configured to receive a network element search request sent by a data consumer, wherein the network element search request is used to request to search for a second communication device, and the first communication device is a communication device with network storage function, and the second communication device is a communication device with data plane related capability.

[0475] In some embodiments, the first communication device can be a network repository function (NRF). The first communication device stores the identification information and the first capability information of the second communication device, or the second communication device is registered in the first communication device. The first capability information includes the capability information possessed or corresponding to the second communication device.

[0476] In some embodiments, the data consumer can send the network element search request through Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request. The network element search request carries at least one of the following:

[0477] The network element type of the second communication device to be searched;

[0478] Second capability information, which includes the capability information corresponding to the second communication device to be searched or expected.

[0479] Optionally, the device 1100 shown in FIG. 11 can further include:

[0480] a second receiving module, configured to receive first information sent by the second communication device before receiving a network element search request sent by a data consumer, wherein the first information comprises identification information of the second communication device and first capability information, and the first capability information comprises capability information corresponding to the second communication device;

[0481] a second sending module, configured to send second response information for the first information to the second communication device.

[0482] The first information can be carried by a registration message to request registration of data plane related capability of the second communication device. For example, the first information can be carried by an Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister Request message or the like. Alternatively, the first information can be carried by a message for requesting update of data plane related capability of the second communication device.

[0483] When the first communication device successfully processes the first information, for example, when the first information is successfully registered and saved, the second response information can be a response of successfully processing the first information. For example, when the second communication device sends the first information by using a registration message, the first communication device stores the first information after receiving the registration message, and sends a second response message. The second response message can be sent by using an Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister response message to notify the second communication device that the registration is successful.

[0484] The identification information of the second communication device can comprise at least one of the following:

[0485] a network function instance ID (NF instance ID);

[0486] a formal domain name (Fully Qualified Domain Name, FQDN) of the NF;

[0487] an IP address of the NF;

[0488] network element instance identification information;

[0489] a network element type.

[0490] a first sending module 1102, configured to send first response information for the network element search request to the data consumer.

[0491] In some embodiments, if the first communication device does not find the second communication device, the first response information can be a response of a search failure, and optionally, the first response information can further carry a reason of the search failure.

[0492] In some embodiments, if the first communication device finds the second communication device, the first response information can include identification information of the found second communication device, or the first response information can include identification information of the found second communication device and third capability information, where the third capability information includes capability information corresponding to the found second communication device.

[0493] The specific content of the first capability information, the second capability information and the third capability information corresponding to the second communication device is described above and will not be repeated here.

[0494] As shown in FIG. 12, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus 1200, which can be used for a data consumer, and the apparatus 1200 can include a first receiving module 1201 and a first sending module 1202.

[0495] The first sending module 1201 is configured to send a network element search request to a first communication device, where the network element search request is used to request to search for a second communication device, the second communication device is a communication device with a data plane related capability, and the first communication device is a communication device with a network storage function.

[0496] The first receiving module 1202 is configured to receive first response information of the network element search request sent by the first communication device.

[0497] In some embodiments, the first communication device can be a network repository function (NRF). The first communication device stores identification information and first capability information of the second communication device, or the second communication device is registered in the first communication device. The first capability information includes capability information possessed or corresponding to the second communication device.

[0498] In some embodiments, the data consumer can send a network element search request through Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request, and the network element search request carries at least one of the following:

[0499] A network element type of the second communication device to be searched for;

[0500] Second capability information, where the second capability information includes capability information corresponding to the second communication device to be searched for or expected.

[0501] In some embodiments, if the first communication device does not find the second communication device, the first response information can be a response of a search failure, and optionally, the first response information can further carry a reason of the search failure.

[0502] In some embodiments, if the first communication device finds the second communication device, the first response information can include identification information of the found second communication device, or the first response information can include identification information of the found second communication device and third capability information, the third capability information including capability information corresponding to the found second communication device.

[0503] The specific content of the identification information of the second communication device, the first capability information, the second capability information and the third capability information corresponding to the second communication device can refer to the above, and will not be described here.

[0504] Optionally, the apparatus 1200 in FIG. 12 can further include:

[0505] A determination module, configured to determine the second communication device according to the first response information.

[0506] A second sending module, configured to send a service acquisition request to the second communication device, wherein the service acquisition request is used to request to acquire a target data service.

[0507] The target data service can include but is not limited to at least one of the following:

[0508] A data subscription service;

[0509] A data subscription cancellation service;

[0510] A data sending service;

[0511] A data request service;

[0512] A data receiving service;

[0513] A data management service;

[0514] A data management registration service;

[0515] A data update registration service;

[0516] A data management deregistration service;

[0517] A data management configuration service;

[0518] A data management de-configuration service.

[0519] As shown in FIG. 13, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 1300, which can be used in a second communication device, and the device 1300 can include a first receiving module 1301.

[0520] A first sending module 1301 is configured to send first information to a first communication device, wherein the second communication device is a communication device with a data plane related capability, the first communication device is a communication device with a network storage function, the first information includes identification information of the second communication device and first capability information, and the first capability information includes capability information corresponding to the second communication device.

[0521] Optionally, the device 1300 can further include a first receiving module configured to receive second response information sent by the first communication device for the first information.

[0522] The first information can be carried by a registration message to request registration of the data plane related capability of the second communication device, for example, the first information can be carried by an Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister Request message, or the first information can be carried by a message for requesting update of the data plane related capability of the second communication device.

[0523] When the first communication device successfully processes the first information, for example, when the first information is successfully registered and saved, the second response information can be a response of successfully processing the first information. For example, when the second communication device sends the first information by a registration message, the first communication device stores the first information after receiving the registration message, and sends a second response message, for example, an Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister response message, to notify the second communication device of the successful registration.

[0524] Optionally, the device 1300 shown in FIG. 13 can further include:

[0525] A second receiving module configured to receive a service acquisition request sent by a data consumer, wherein the data consumer is found from the first communication device to the second communication device, and the service acquisition request is used to request acquisition of a target data service.

[0526] A second sending module configured to send third response information for the service acquisition request to the data consumer.

[0527] The target data service can include but is not limited to at least one of the following:

[0528] A data subscription service;

[0529] canceling a data subscription service;

[0530] data sending service;

[0531] data request service;

[0532] data receiving service;

[0533] data management service;

[0534] data management registration service;

[0535] data update registration service;

[0536] data management deregistration service;

[0537] data management configuration service;

[0538] data management deconfiguration service.

[0539] The third response information can be a response of a service acquisition request failure or a response of a service acquisition request success.

[0540] The first capability information corresponding to the second communication device is described above and will not be repeated here.

[0541] The communication apparatus 1100 provided in the embodiments of the present application can implement each process implemented by the method embodiments of FIG. 5 and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, details are not repeated here. The communication apparatus 1200 provided in the embodiments of the present application can implement each process implemented by the method embodiments of FIG. 6 and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, details are not repeated here. The communication apparatus 1300 provided in the embodiments of the present application can implement each process implemented by the method embodiments of FIG. 7 and achieve the same technical effects.

[0542] As shown in FIG. 14, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication device 1400, which includes a processor 1401 and a memory 1402, and the memory 1402 stores programs or instructions executable on the processor 1401. For example, when the communication device 1400 is a terminal, the programs or instructions are executed by the processor 1401 to implement each step of the above communication method embodiments and achieve the same technical effects. When the communication device 1400 is a network side device, the programs or instructions are executed by the processor 1401 to implement each step of the above communication method embodiments and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, details are not repeated here.

[0543] The embodiment of the present application further provides a terminal, comprising a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface is coupled with the processor, and the processor is used for running programs or instructions. The terminal embodiment corresponds to the terminal side method embodiment described above, and each implementation process and implementation manner of the method embodiment can be applied to the terminal embodiment, and the same technical effects can be achieved. Specifically, FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a terminal for implementing the embodiment of the present application.

[0544] The terminal 1500 includes, but is not limited to, at least part of components such as a radio frequency unit 1501, a network module 1502, an audio output unit 1503, an input unit 1504, a sensor 1505, a display unit 1506, a user input unit 1507, an interface unit 1508, a memory 1509, and a processor 1510.

[0545] Those skilled in the art can understand that the terminal 1500 can further include a power supply (such as a battery) for supplying power to each component, and the power supply can be logically connected with the processor 1510 through a power management system, so as to realize functions such as management of charging, discharging, and power consumption management through the power management system. The terminal structure shown in FIG. 15 does not constitute a limitation on the terminal, and the terminal can include more or fewer components than those shown, or combine certain components, or different component arrangements, which will not be described here.

[0546] It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the input unit 1504 can include a graphics processor 15041 and a microphone 15042, and the graphics processor 15041 processes image data of a still picture or a video obtained by an image capture device (such as a camera) in a video capture mode or an image capture mode. The display unit 1506 can include a display panel 15061, which can be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, etc. The user input unit 1507 includes at least one of a touch panel 15071 and other input devices 15072. The touch panel 15071 is also called a touch screen. The touch panel 15071 can include two parts of a touch detection device and a touch controller. The other input devices 15072 can include, but are not limited to, a physical keyboard, function keys (such as volume control keys, on-off keys, etc.), a trackball, a mouse, a joystick, etc., which will not be described here.

[0547] In the embodiment of the present application, the radio frequency unit 1501 can transmit downlink data from the network side device to the processor 1510 for processing, and can send uplink data to the network side device. Generally, the radio frequency unit 1501 includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, an amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low noise amplifier, a duplexer, etc.

[0548] The memory 1509 can be used to store software programs or instructions and various data. The memory 1509 can mainly include a first storage area storing programs or instructions and a second storage area storing data, wherein the first storage area can store an operating system, application programs or instructions required by at least one function (such as a sound playing function, an image playing function, etc.), and the like. In addition, the memory 1509 can include a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM), an Electrically EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Static RAM (SRAM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), a Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), an Enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), a Synch link DRAM (SLDRAM), and a Direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). The memory 1509 in the embodiments of the present application includes but is not limited to these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0549] The processor 1510 can include one or more processing units; optionally, the processor 1510 integrates an application processor and a modem processor, wherein the application processor mainly processes operations related to an operating system, a user interface, and an application program, and the modem processor mainly processes wireless communication signals, such as a baseband processor. It can be understood that the above-mentioned modem processor can also not be integrated into the processor 1510.

[0550] The embodiments of the present application also provide a network side device, which includes a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface is coupled with the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps of the method embodiments shown in any one of FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. The network side device embodiments correspond to the above-mentioned network side device method embodiments, and each implementation process and implementation manner of the above-mentioned method embodiments can be applicable to the network side device embodiments and can achieve the same technical effects.

[0551] The embodiment of the present application further provides a network side device. As shown in FIG. 16, the network side device 1600 includes a processor 1601, a network interface 1602 and a memory 1603. The network side device can be the communication device shown in any one of FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. Wherein, the network interface 1602 is, for example, a common public radio interface (CPRI).

[0552] Specifically, the network side device 1600 of the embodiment of the present application further includes instructions or programs stored in the memory 1603 and executable on the processor 1601, the processor 1601 invokes the instructions or programs in the memory 1603 to execute the method performed by each module shown in any one of FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein.

[0553] The embodiment of the present application further provides a readable storage medium, the readable storage medium stores programs or instructions, the programs or instructions are executed by a processor to implement various processes of the above communication method embodiments, and the same technical effects can be achieved. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein.

[0554] Wherein, the processor is the processor in the terminal in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium includes a computer readable storage medium, such as a computer readable memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, etc. In some examples, the readable storage medium can be a non-transitory readable storage medium.

[0555] The embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, the chip includes a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface and the processor are coupled, the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement various processes of the above communication method embodiments, and the same technical effects can be achieved. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein.

[0556] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiment of the present application can also be referred to as a system chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system on chip, etc.

[0557] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program / program product, the computer program / program product is stored in a storage medium, the computer program / program product is executed by at least one processor to implement various processes of the above communication method embodiments, and the same technical effects can be achieved. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein.

[0558] The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, including a terminal and a network side device, the terminal can be used to execute the steps of the communication method shown in FIG. 2, and the network side device can be used to execute the steps of the communication method shown in FIG. 13.

[0559] It should be noted that, in the present document, the terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but can also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the methods and apparatuses of the present embodiments are not limited by the order of the steps or the sequence for performing the steps, as some steps can occur in different orders and / or concurrently with one another; for example, described methods can be performed in an order other than that described, and / or steps can be added, omitted or combined. Furthermore, features described with respect to certain examples can be combined in other examples.

[0560] From the above description of the embodiments, it is apparent that the method of the above-mentioned embodiments can be realized by means of a computer software product and general hardware platform, of course, it can also be realized by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disc, optical disc, etc.), and includes a plurality of instructions for making the terminal or network side device execute the method described in each embodiment of the present application.

[0561] The embodiments of the present application are described above in combination with the drawings, but the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned specific embodiments, the above-mentioned specific embodiments are only illustrative, but not restrictive, and those skilled in the art can make many forms of embodiments under the inspiration of the present application without departing from the scope of the present application and the scope protected by the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, the method comprising: receiving, by a first communication device, a network element lookup request sent by a data consumer, wherein the network element lookup request is used to request to find a second communication device, the first communication device is a communication device with a network storage function, and the second communication device is a communication device with a data plane related capability; sending, by the first communication device, first response information for the network element lookup request to the data consumer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, Before receiving, by the first communication device, the network element lookup request sent by the data consumer, the method further comprises: receiving, by the first communication device, first information sent by the second communication device, wherein the first information comprises identification information of the second communication device and first capability information, and the first capability information comprises capability information corresponding to the second communication device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The first capability information comprises at least one of: data plane related capability information; supported service information; supported transport bus information; supported data source information; supported data consumer information; supported service range; associated other data plane related network element.

4. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The network element lookup request carries second capability information, and the second capability information comprises capability information corresponding to the second communication device to be found.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The second capability information comprises at least one of: expected data plane related capability information; expected service information; expected transport bus information; expected data source information; self information of the data consumer; expected service range; expected associated other data plane related network element.

6. The method of claim 3 or 5, wherein, The data plane related capability information comprises at least one of: capability of controlling data transmission; capability of data transmission; capability of protocol conversion; capability of supporting an efficient signaling transmission protocol; capability of supporting a large data transmission protocol.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The second communication device is provided with a message middleware, and the capability of protocol conversion comprises the capability of converting information not supported by the message middleware into information supported by the message middleware.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein, The service information comprises at least one of: data subscription service; data subscription cancellation service; data sending service; data request service; data receiving service; data management service; data management registration service; data update registration service; data management deregistration service; data management configuration service; data management deconfiguration service.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein, The transport bus information comprises at least one of a service based architecture (SBA) bus and a data based architecture (DBA) bus.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein, The second communication device comprises a data plane control network element (DPF-C), and the associated other data plane related network element comprises a data plane user network element (DPF-U) associated with the DPF-C.

11. The method of any one of claims 1-10, wherein, The first response information comprises identification information of the found second communication device, or the first response information comprises identification information of the found second communication device and capability information corresponding to the found second communication device.

12. The method of any one of claims 1-11, wherein, The first communication device is a network storage function (NRF).

13. The method of any one of claims 1-12, wherein, The second communication device is a data plane function (DPF), or the second communication device includes at least one of a data plane control function (DPF-C) and a data plane user function (DPF-U).

14. A communication method, the method comprising: a data consumer sending a network element lookup request to a first communication device, wherein the network element lookup request is used to request to find a second communication device, the second communication device is a communication device with a data plane related capability, and the first communication device is a communication device with a network storage function; the data consumer receiving first response information sent by the first communication device for the network element lookup request.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The method further comprises: the data consumer determining the second communication device according to the first response information; the data consumer sending a service acquisition request to the second communication device, wherein the service acquisition request is used to request to acquire a target data service.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein, The network element lookup request carries second capability information, and the second capability information includes capability information corresponding to the second communication device to be found.

17. The method of any one of claims 14-16, wherein, The first response information includes identification information of the found second communication device, or the first response information includes identification information of the found second communication device and third capability information, and the third capability information includes capability information corresponding to the found second communication device.

18. The method of any one of claims 14-17, wherein, The second capability information includes at least one of: expected data plane related capability information; expected service information; expected transport bus information; expected data source information; self information of the data consumer; expected service coverage; expected associated other data plane related network element.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The data plane related capability information includes at least one of: capability of controlling data transmission; capability of data transmission; capability of protocol conversion; capability of supporting an efficient signaling transmission protocol; capability of supporting a large data transmission protocol.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The second communication device is provided with a message middleware, and the capability of protocol conversion includes the capability of converting information not supported by the message middleware into information supported by the message middleware.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein, The service information includes at least one of: data subscription service; data subscription cancellation service; data sending service; data request service; data receiving service; data management service; data management registration service; data update registration service; data management deregistration service; data management configuration service; data management deconfiguration service.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, The transport bus information includes at least one of a service based architecture (SBA) bus and a data based architecture (DBA) bus.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein, The second communication device includes a data plane control function (DPF-C), and the associated other data plane related network element includes a data plane user function (DPF-U) associated with the DPF-C.

24. The method of any one of claims 14-23, wherein, The first communication device is a network storage function (NRF).

25. The method of any one of claims 14-24, wherein, The second communication device is a data plane function (DPF), or the second communication device includes at least one of a data plane control function (DPF-C) and a data plane user function (DPF-U).

26. A communication method, the method comprising: The second communication device sends first information to the first communication device, wherein the second communication device is a communication device with data plane related capability, the first communication device is a communication device with network storage function, the first information comprises identification information of the second communication device and first capability information, and the first capability information comprises capability information corresponding to the second communication device.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein, The method further comprises: The second communication device receives a service acquisition request sent by a data consumer, wherein the data consumer is found from the first communication device to the second communication device, and the service acquisition request is used to request acquisition of a target data service. The second communication device sends third response information for the service acquisition request to the data consumer.

28. The method of claim 26 or 27, wherein, The first capability information comprises at least one of the following: Data plane related capability information; Supported service information; Supported transmission bus information; Supported data source information; Supported data consumer information; Supported service range; Associated other data plane related network element.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein, The data plane related capability information comprises at least one of the following: Capability of controlling data transmission; Capability of data transmission; Capability of protocol conversion; Capability of supporting high-efficiency signaling transmission protocol; Capability of supporting large data transmission protocol.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein, The second communication device is provided with a message middleware, and the capability of protocol conversion comprises the capability of converting information not supported by the message middleware into information supported by the message middleware.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein, The service information comprises at least one of the following: Data subscription service; Data sending service; Data request service; Data receiving service; Data management service; Data management registration service; Data update registration service; Data management deregistration service; Data management configuration service; Data management de-configuration service. The transmission bus information comprises at least one of a service-based architecture (SBA) bus and a data-based architecture (DBA) bus.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein, The second communication device comprises a data plane control network element (DPF-C), and the associated other data plane related network element comprises a data plane user network element (DPF-U) associated with the DPF-C.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein, The first communication device is a network storage function (NRF).

34. The method of any one of claims 26-33, wherein, The second communication device is a data plane network element (DPF), or the second communication device comprises at least one of a data plane control network element (DPF-C) and a data plane user network element (DPF-U).

35. The method of any one of claims 26-34, wherein, 36.A communication device applied to a first communication device, the device comprising: a first receiving module configured to receive a network element finding request sent by a data consumer, wherein the network element finding request is used to request finding a second communication device, the first communication device is a communication device with network storage function, and the second communication device is a communication device with data plane related capability; a first sending module configured to send first response information for the network element finding request to the data consumer. 37.A communication device applied to a data consumer, the device comprising: ​ The first sending module is configured to send a network element search request to a first communication device, wherein the network element search request is used to request to search for a second communication device, the second communication device is a communication device with a data plane related capability, and the first communication device is a communication device with a network storage function. The first receiving module is configured to receive first response information sent by the first communication device for the network element search request. 38.A communication device applied to a second communication device, the device comprising: The first sending module is configured to send first information to a first communication device, wherein the second communication device is a communication device with a data plane related capability, the first communication device is a communication device with a network storage function, the first information comprises identification information and first capability information of the second communication device, and the first capability information comprises capability information corresponding to the second communication device. 39.A communication device comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores programs or instructions executable on the processor, and the programs or instructions are executed by the processor to implement the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 35. 40.A readable storage medium, wherein the readable storage medium stores programs or instructions, and the programs or instructions are executed by a processor to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 35.

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