CN111263404B

CN111263404B - Load control method, device and system

Info

Publication number: CN111263404B
Application number: CN201811456967.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杨文进; 张继东; 朱奋勤; 宗在峰
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-30
Filing date: 2018-11-30
Publication date: 2021-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-30
Also published as: CN111263404A; WO2020108631A1

Abstract

The application provides a method, a device and a system for load control, which are used for realizing the control of network function network element loads, and the method comprises the following steps: a network storage network element receives a first request from a first network element; the network storage network element acquires a selection strategy of a target second network element group required to be provided according to the first request, wherein the selection strategy is used for selecting the target second network element in the target second network element group; the network storage network element determines the selection strategy according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group; and the network storage network element sends the selection strategy to the first network element.

Description

Load control method, device and system

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method, an apparatus, and a system for load control.

Background

A fifth Generation (5th-Generation, 5G) communication system supports data connectivity and service-enabled deployments. In the 5G system, interaction can be carried out among various network functional network elements based on services. A Network storage Function (NRF) Network element provides functions such as registration and discovery of Network Function (NF) Network element services. Each NF may register its own description information (NF Profile) and the services provided on the NRF. When a certain NF service consumer needs to call service, a service discovery request can be initiated to the NRF, the NRF returns a NF service provider list meeting the query condition to the NF service consumer, and the NF service consumer further obtains the description information of the NF service provider in the list, so that the NF service consumer can select a target NF service provider according to the description information and local configuration of the NF service provider and initiate the service request.

In the service discovery process, the selection algorithm of the NF service consumer is unique, and the information defined in the NF Profile cannot completely determine the selection of the target NF service provider, that is, each NF service consumer selects the target NF service provider, which is not completely controllable, so that the prior art cannot uniformly control the load of a certain NF, and further, the prior art cannot completely meet the requirement of controlling the load of the NF in the scenarios such as flexible expansion and contraction capacity, failure or upgrade.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a method, a device and a system for load control, which are used for realizing the control of network function network element loads.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a load management and control method, including: a network storage network element receives a first request from a first network element; the network storage network element acquires a selection strategy of a target second network element group required to be provided according to the first request, wherein the selection strategy is used for selecting the target second network element in the target second network element group; the network storage network element determines the selection strategy according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group; and the network storage network element sends the selection strategy to the first network element.

By the method, the network storage network element determines the selection strategy according to the operation information of the second network element in the target second network element group and provides the selection strategy for the first network element, and the first network element selects the target second network element in the target second network element group according to the selection strategy, so that the unified management of the network storage network element on the load of the second network element is realized, and the situation that the load of the second network element is uncontrollable due to the fact that the first network element is selected according to the own specific algorithm is avoided. Further, when the operation of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group changes, the network storage network element can adjust the selection strategy in time according to the operation change, so that the load of the second network element can be controlled quickly and efficiently, and the management, operation and maintenance costs are reduced.

In one possible design, the network storage network element obtains policy data, where the policy data includes one or more first conditions and a selection rule corresponding to the first conditions, and the network storage network element determines a target first condition in the policy data and a target selection rule corresponding to the target first condition; the network storage network element determines a second network element meeting the target first condition according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group; the network storage network element determines that the selection policy is: and selecting in the second network element meeting the target first condition according to the target selection rule.

In the above possible design, the network storage network element determines a target first condition and a target selection rule corresponding to the first condition according to the operation information and/or the first request of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group and the policy data.

In the above possible design, the network storage network element obtains the policy data from an operation and maintenance system, or the network storage network element obtains the policy data from one or more second network elements in the target second network element group.

Wherein the first condition comprises any one or more of: network slice type, user type, version, location.

The selection rules include any one or more of: polling selection, random selection, weighted selection, selection according to an object group, and selection according to a client service identifier.

In one possible design, the determining, by the network storage network element, the selection policy according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group includes two ways:

the first method is as follows: the network storage network element acquires the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group, wherein the operation information comprises the information of the operation state; and the network storage network element determines a first selection strategy according to the information of the running state of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group.

By the first mode, the network storage network element determines the first selection strategy according to the operating state information of the second network element in the target second network element group and provides the first selection strategy for the first network element, and the first network element selects the target second network element in the target second network element group according to the first selection strategy, so that the unified management of the network storage network element on the load of the second network element is realized, and the situation that the load of the second network element is uncontrollable due to the fact that the first network element selects according to the own specific algorithm is avoided.

The second method comprises the following steps: the network storage network element acquires the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group, wherein the operation information comprises operation change information; and the network storage network element determines a second selection strategy according to the information of the operation change of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group.

Through the second mode, when the operation of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group changes, the network storage network element can adjust the selection strategy in time according to the operation change, so that the second network element load can be controlled quickly and efficiently, and the management, operation and maintenance costs are reduced.

In one possible design of the first mode, the network storage network element obtains a list of common resource groups; the network storage network element allocates the public resource group to a second network element in the target second network element group; and the network storage network element determines the first selection strategy according to the running state information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group, wherein the running state information comprises the allocated public resource group corresponding to the second network element in the target second network element group, and the first selection strategy comprises the allocated public resource group corresponding to the second network element in the target second network element group.

In a possible design of the first mode, the first request includes a second service type, and is used for requesting to invoke a second service, and the network storage network element obtains a list of a second network element group corresponding to the second service type according to the first request, where the list of the second network element group includes a target second network element group; and the network storage network element knows that the first selection strategy corresponding to the target second network element group needs to be provided.

In the above possible design, the network storage network element sends the list of the second network element group to the first network element, which may be specifically divided into two cases:

the first condition is as follows: and the network storage network element acquires a list of second network element groups corresponding to the second service type according to the first request, acquires a list of the second network element groups needing to be provided and selection strategies corresponding to the second network element groups on the list respectively, wherein the list of the second network element groups comprises the target second network element groups. And the network storage network element returns the list of the second network element groups and the selection strategies corresponding to the second network element groups to the first network element, wherein the list of the second network element groups and the selection strategies corresponding to the second network element groups comprise a target second network element group and a first selection strategy thereof.

Case two: the network storage network element acquires a list of second network elements corresponding to a second service type according to the first request, and returns the list of the second network elements to the first network element, wherein the list of the second network elements comprises a target second network element; and the network storage network element receives the identifier of the target second network element group from the first network element, acquires a selection strategy of the target second network element group according to the identifier of the target second network element group, and returns the first selection strategy to the first network element.

In a possible design of the second mode, the first request includes an identifier of the target second network element group, and is used to subscribe to a selection policy of the target second network element group, and the network storage network element learns, according to the identifier of the target second network element group, that a second selection policy corresponding to the target second network element group needs to be provided.

In a possible design of the second mode, if the operation change includes reallocation of a set of common resources, the network storage element reallocates the set of common resources to a second element in the target second element group, and determines a second selection policy according to a newly allocated set of common resources corresponding to the second element in the second element group, where the second selection policy includes the newly allocated set of common resources corresponding to the second element in the target second element group.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for managing and controlling a load, where the method includes: the first network element acquires that a second service needs to be called; the first network element acquires a target second network element group, and a second network element in the target second network element group can provide the second service; the first network element acquires a selection strategy of a target second network element group from the network storage network element, wherein the selection strategy is used for selecting the target second network element in the target second network element group and is determined according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group; and the first network element determines a target second network element according to the selection strategy.

By the method, the first network element obtains the selection strategy from the network storage network element, wherein the selection strategy is determined according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group. The first network element selects the target second network element in the target second network element group according to the selection strategy, so that the unified management of the network storage network element on the load of the second network element is realized, and the situation that the load of the second network element is uncontrollable due to the fact that the first network element selects according to respective specific algorithms is avoided. Further, when the operation of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group changes, the first network element may select the target second network element according to the adjusted selection policy, thereby implementing fast and efficient control of the load of the second network element, and reducing the cost of management, operation and maintenance.

In a possible design, there is no precedence relationship between the step of obtaining, by the first network element, that the second service needs to be invoked and the step of obtaining, by the first network element, the target second network element group and the selection policy for the first network element to obtain the target second network element group from the network storage network element. For example: the first network element can acquire a target second network element group and a selection strategy of the target second network element group after knowing that the second service needs to be called; or the first network element subscribes to obtain the target second network element group and the selection strategy of the target second network element group, and then learns that the second service needs to be called.

In one possible design, the obtaining, by the first network element, the selection policy from the network storage network element includes two ways:

the first method is as follows: and if the operation information comprises the operation state information, the selection policy is a first selection policy, and the first selection policy is determined according to the operation state information of the second network element in the target second network element group and/or the first request.

In the first way, the first network element obtains the first selection policy from the network storage network element, where the first selection policy is determined according to the information of the operating states of one or more second network elements of the second network element in the target second network element group. The first network element selects the target second network element in the target second network element group according to the first selection strategy, so that the unified management of the network storage network element on the load of the second network element is realized, and the condition that the load of the second network element is uncontrollable due to the fact that the first network element selects according to respective specific algorithms is avoided.

In one possible design of the first mode, the first network element sends a first request to the network storage network element, where the first request includes the second service type and is used to request to invoke the second service.

The second method comprises the following steps: and if the operation information comprises operation change information, the selection strategy is a second selection strategy, and the second selection strategy is determined according to the operation change information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group.

By means of the second mode, when the operation of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group changes, the first network element can select the target second network element according to the adjusted second selection strategy, so that the load of the second network element can be controlled quickly and efficiently, and the management, operation and maintenance costs are reduced.

In a possible design of the second mode, the first network element sends a first request to the network storage network element, where the first request includes an identifier of the target second network element group, and is used to subscribe to a selection policy of the target second network element group.

In one possible design, the selection policy includes a target selection rule, and the operation information of the second network element satisfies a target first condition corresponding to the target selection rule;

the first network element selects the target second network element among the second network elements satisfying the target first condition according to the target selection rule.

In one possible design, the first network element receives a second request, the second request including a type of a request for a first service, the first service requiring invocation of a second service.

The selection policy in the first and second aspects may include any one or more of the following: polling selection and a second network element within the selection range, random selection and a second network element within the selection range, weighted selection and a second network element within the selection range, selection according to the object group and a second network element within the selection range, and selection according to the client service identifier and a second network element within the selection range.

In the method of the first and second aspects, the information of the operating state may include any one or more of: the version of the second network element in the target second network element group, the capacity of the second network element in the target second network element group, the load of the second network element in the target second network element group, the position of the second network element in the target second network element group, the information of the service provided by the second network element in the target second network element group, the network quality of the second network element in the target second network element group, and the information of the public resource of the second network element in the target second network element group.

In the method according to the first and second aspects, the information about the operation change may include any one or more of: capacity expansion, capacity reduction, upgrading, failure and redistribution of public resources.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a network storage network element, where the network storage network element has a function of implementing the method in the first aspect. The functions can be realized by hardware, and the functions can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware and software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

In one possible design, the network storage element structure includes a processing unit configured to support the network storage element to execute the method described in the first aspect, and a communication unit configured to support communication between the network storage element and other devices. The network storage element may further comprise a memory unit for coupling with the processing unit, which stores program instructions and data necessary for the network storage element. As an example, the processing unit may be a processor, the communication unit may be a transceiver, and the storage unit may be a memory.

In the above possible design, the communication unit includes a receiving unit and a sending unit, and these units may perform the method described in the above first aspect, specifically refer to the detailed description in the method example, which is not described repeatedly.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides an apparatus (e.g., the apparatus may be a system-on-a-chip) comprising a processor that may perform the method described in the first aspect above.

In one possible design, the apparatus further includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method as described in the first aspect above.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of the first aspect described above.

In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a service consumer network element, where the service consumer network element has a function of implementing the method in the second aspect. The functions can be realized by hardware, and the functions can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware and software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

In one possible design, the service consumer network element includes a processing unit configured to support the service consumer network element to execute the method described in the second aspect, and a communication unit configured to support communication between the service consumer network element and other devices. The service consumer network element may further comprise a memory unit for coupling with the processing unit, which stores program instructions and data necessary for the service consumer network element. As an example, the processing unit may be a processor, the communication unit may be a transceiver, and the storage unit may be a memory.

In the above possible design, the communication unit includes a receiving unit and a sending unit, and these units may execute the method described in the second aspect, specifically refer to the detailed description in the method example, which is not described repeatedly.

In an eighth aspect, the present application provides an apparatus (e.g., the apparatus may be a system-on-a-chip) comprising a processor that may perform the method described in the second aspect above.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method as described in the second aspect above.

In a tenth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method described in the second aspect above.

In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communications system comprising one or more of the network storage network elements of the first aspect described above, the first network elements (i.e. service consumer network elements) of the second aspect.

In one possible design, the communication system may further include a second network element (i.e., a service provider network element) as referred to in the above aspect.

In a possible design, the communication system may further include other devices, such as a terminal, a base station, and the like, interacting with the network storage network element, the first network element, or the second network element in the solution provided in the embodiment of the present application.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a possible system framework provided by the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic flow diagram of a general method of service selection;

fig. 3 is a flowchart of a load management and control method provided in the present application;

fig. 3a is a schematic diagram of a network element deployment provided in the present application;

fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method 400 for managing and controlling a load according to the present application;

fig. 5 is a flowchart of a method 500 for managing and controlling a load according to the present application;

fig. 6 is a flowchart of a method 600 for managing and controlling a load according to the present application;

fig. 7 is a flowchart of a method 700 for managing and controlling a load according to the present application;

fig. 8 is a flowchart of a method 800 for managing and controlling a load according to the present application;

fig. 9 is a flowchart of a method 900 for managing and controlling a load according to the present application;

fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method 1000 for managing and controlling a load according to the present application;

fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in the present application;

fig. 11a is a schematic diagram of a network storage element provided in the present application;

fig. 11b is a schematic diagram of a service consumer network element provided in the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in the present application.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the present application, a "/" indicates a relationship in which the objects associated before and after are an "or", for example, a/B may indicate a or B; in the present application, "and/or" is only an association relationship describing an associated object, and means that there may be three relationships, for example, a and/or B, and may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, wherein A and B can be singular or plural. Also, in the description of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more than two unless otherwise specified. "at least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of the singular or plural items. For example, at least one (one) of a, b, or c, may represent: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, wherein a, b, c may be single or multiple.

The technical scheme of the embodiment of the application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: global system for mobile communications (GSM) systems, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) systems, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunications system (universal mobile telecommunications system, UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, future fifth generation (5G) or new radio NR systems, etc.

Terminal equipment in the embodiments of the present application may refer to user equipment, access terminals, subscriber units, subscriber stations, mobile stations, remote terminals, mobile devices, user terminals, wireless communication devices, user agents, or user devices. The terminal device may also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a future 5G network or a terminal device in a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and the like, which are not limited in this embodiment.

The network device in this embodiment may be a device for communicating with a terminal device, where the network device may be a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) in a global system for mobile communications (GSM) system or a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, may also be a base station (NodeB) in a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, may also be an evolved NodeB (eNB) or eNodeB) in an LTE system, may also be a wireless controller in a Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN) scenario, or may be a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a network device in a future 5G network, or a network device in a future evolved PLMN network, and the like, and the present embodiment is not limited.

Fig. 1 is a network architecture applied to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 1, each network element involved in the network architecture is separately described.

1. A (Radio Access Network (R) AN) Network element: the method is used for providing a network access function for authorized users in a specific area, and can use transmission tunnels with different qualities according to the level of the users, the requirements of services and the like. (R) the AN network element can manage wireless resources and provide access service for the terminal equipment so as to complete the forwarding of control signals and user data between the terminal equipment and the core network, and can also be understood as a base station in a traditional network;

2. a user plane network element: for packet routing and forwarding, Quality of Service (QoS) processing of user plane data, and the like.

In the 5G communication system, the User Plane network element may be a User Plane Function (UPF) network element. In a future communication system, the user plane network element may still be a UPF network element, or may also have another name, which is not limited in this application.

3. Data network: for providing a network for transmitting data, etc.

In a 5G communication system, the Data Network element may be a Data Network (DN). In future communication systems, the data network may still be the DN, or may have other names, and the present application is not limited thereto.

4. Authentication service network element: the method is used for realizing authentication and authorization of the user and the like.

In the 5G communication system, the authentication service network element may be an authentication server function (AUSF) network element. In a future communication system, the authentication service network element may still be an AUSF network element, or may also have another name, which is not limited in this application.

5. Accessing a management network element: the method is mainly used for mobility management, access management and the like, and can be used for realizing other functions except session management in Mobility Management Entity (MME) functions, such as functions of lawful interception, access authorization/authentication and the like.

In the 5G communication system, the Access Management network element may be an Access and mobility Management Function (AMF) network element. In a future communication system, the access management network element may still be an AMF network element, or may also have another name, which is not limited in this application.

6. A session management network element: the method is mainly used for session management, Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management of terminal equipment, selection of a termination point of an interface capable of managing a user plane function, policy control and charging function, downlink data notification and the like.

In the 5G communication system, the Session Management network element may be a Session Management Function (SMF) network element. In future communication systems, the session management network element may still be an SMF network element, or may also have another name, which is not limited in this application.

7. Network slice selection network element: the method is mainly used for selecting the used network slice for the terminal equipment.

In the 5G communication system, the network slice selection function network element may be a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) network element. In a future communication system, the network slice selection function network element may still be an NSSF network element, or may also have another name, which is not limited in this application.

8. Network open network element: for securely opening services and capabilities etc. provided by the 3GPP network function element to the outside.

In the 5G communication system, the Network open Network element may be a Network open Function (NEF) Network element. In future communication systems, the network open network element may still be an NEF network element, or may also have another name, which is not limited in this application.

9. A network storage network element: the method is used for storing information of network functions deployed in a core network, providing discovery of the network functions and services, and the like.

In a 5G communication system, the Network storage element may be a Network storage Function (NRF) element, and in a future communication system, the Network storage element may still be an NRF element, and may also have another name, which is not limited in this application.

10. The strategy control network element: the unified policy framework is used for guiding network behavior, providing policy rule information for control plane function network elements (such as AMF, SMF network elements and the like), and the like.

In the 5G communication system, the Policy Control network element may be a Policy Control Function (PCF) network element. In future communication systems, the policy control network element may still be a PCF network element, or may also have another name, which is not limited in this application.

11. A data management network element: for handling subscriber identities, access authentication, registration, mobility management, etc.

In the 5G communication system, the Data Management network element may be a Unified Data Management (UDM) network element. In future communication systems, the data management may still be a UDM network element, or may also have other names, which is not limited in this application.

12. The application network element: the method is used for carrying out data routing of application influence, accessing to a network open function network element, carrying out strategy control by interacting with a strategy framework and the like.

In the 5G communication system, the Application network element may be an Application Function (AF) network element. In a future communication system, the application network element may still be an AF network element, or may also have another name, which is not limited in this application.

13. The terminal equipment: may include various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem with wireless communication capabilities, as well as various forms of terminals, Mobile Stations (MSs), terminals (terminals), User Equipment (UEs), soft terminals, etc., such as water meters, electricity meters, sensors, etc.

It is to be understood that the above network elements or functions may be network elements in a hardware device, or may be software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

In the network architecture, Nausf is a service-based interface exhibited by the AUSF network element 105, Namf is a service-based interface exhibited by the AMF network element 106, Nsmf is a service-based interface exhibited by the SMF107 network element, NSSF is a service-based interface exhibited by the NSSF108 network element, Nnef is a service-based interface exhibited by the NEF network element 109, NRF is a service-based interface exhibited by the NRF network element 110, Npcf is a service-based interface exhibited by the PCF network element 111, numm is a service-based interface exhibited by the UDM network element 112, and Naf is a service-based interface exhibited by the AF network element 113. N1 is a reference point between the UE101 and the AMF network element 106, N2 is a reference point of the (R) AN network element 102 and the AMF network element 106, and is used for sending Non-access stratum (NAS) messages, and the like; n3 is a reference point between (R) AN network element 102 and UPF network element 103, and is used for transmitting user plane data and the like; n4 is a reference point between the SMF network element 107 and the UPF network element 103, and is used to transmit information such as tunnel identification information, data cache indication information, and downlink data notification message of the N3 connection; the N6 interface is a reference point between the UPF network element 103 and the DN network element 104, and is used for transmitting user plane data and the like.

It should be understood that the network architecture applied to the embodiment of the present application is only an exemplary network architecture described in the service architecture, and the network architecture to which the embodiment of the present application is applied is not limited thereto, and any network architecture capable of implementing the functions of the network elements described above is applicable to the embodiment of the present application.

For example, in some Network architectures, Network functional Network element entities such as the AMF Network element 106, the SMF Network element 107, the NRF Network element 110, the PCF Network element 111, and the UDM Network element 112 are all called Network Function (NF) Network elements; alternatively, in other network architectures, the set of network elements such as the AMF network element 106, the SMF network element 107, the NRF network element 110, the PCF network element 111, and the UDM network element 112 may be referred to as control plane function network elements.

The NF network elements may be defined as different NFs according to the category of the function, for example: authentication and security functions, packet data session management functions, mobility management functions and access control functions, policy control functions, etc., which are implemented by corresponding NF components, each of which provides services to other NF components or functions through defined service interfaces. Multiple network slices (sliceA, sliceB, and slicc) of the same operator use the same Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and may be deployed in the infrastructure of the operator through cloud technology, virtualization technology, and the like, and the technical infrastructure of the operator includes the cloud computing and transmission infrastructure of the operator.

In the following, any two NF network elements described above are taken as an example of a consumer of a service and a provider of the service (hereinafter, the NF network element as a consumer of the service is referred to as a first network element, and the NF network element as a provider of the service is referred to as a second network element). A general method 200 of service selection in the prior art is described in connection with fig. 2. The method 200 comprises the steps of:

s201: the second network element 1 sends a registration request to the network storage network element, which receives the registration request from the second network element 1. Wherein the registration request comprises the description information (NF profile) of the second network element 1. Wherein, the description information of the second network element 1 includes: the identifier of the second network element 1, the type of the second network element 1, the service name supported by the second network element 1, the service endpoint of the second network element 1, the capacity of the second network element 1, and the load of the second network element 1.

S202: the network storage network element stores the description information of the second network element 1.

It should be noted that the second network element 1 is only an example, and other second network elements perform the same operation, which is not described herein again.

S203: when the first network element needs to call the second service, a service discovery Request (nrf _ NFDiscovery _ Request) is sent to the network storage network element, and the network storage network element receives the service discovery Request from the first network element. The second service is a service provided by the second network element, and the service discovery request is used for querying the second service, including the type of the second service.

S204: and the network storage network element determines the service (authorization NF service) provided by the second service for the second network element according to the service discovery request and the description information of the second network element.

S205: the network storage network element returns a service discovery Response message (nrf _ NFDiscovery _ Request Response) to the first network element, and the first network element receives the service discovery Response message from a second network element of the network storage network element. The service discovery response message includes a list of the second network elements and description information of each second network element, and the list of the second network elements includes the second network element 1.

S206: the first network element selects a target second network element according to the description information of the second network element and the local configuration, and initiates a request of a second service to the target second network element (for example, the second network element 1).

As can be seen from fig. 2, in the prior art, the selection of the target second network element by the first network element is completed by the cooperation of the first network element and the network storage network element, the NRF queries locally stored description information of the second network element, determines that the second network element can invoke the second service, and then returns a list of the second network element to the first network element. And the first network element acquires the description information of the second network element in the list according to the list of the second network element, selects a target second network element according to the description information of the second network element and local configuration, and initiates a request of a second service to the target second network element.

In the prior art, a method for selecting a second network element by a first network element is unique, and description information of the second network element is only an input parameter for selecting the second network element by the first network element, and cannot completely determine selection of the second network element, that is, selection of the second network element is not completely controllable, so that a load carried on the second network element cannot be uniformly controlled. Further, under the scenarios of elastic capacity expansion, elastic capacity contraction, failure or upgrading of the second network element, the prior art cannot realize unified management and control of the load of the second network element.

In this regard, the following embodiments provide a load management and control method that solves the above technical problems.

First, explanation will be given on relevant terms referred to in the embodiments of the present application:

1. selection Policy (Instance Discovery & Selection Policy): the policy that may select the target second network element in the second network element group for the first network element specifically includes one or more selection rules and the selected second network element range thereof. For example: polling selection and the second network elements within the selection range, random selection and the second network elements within the selection range, weighted selection and the second network elements within the selection range, selection and the second network elements within the selection range according to the object group, and Hash selection and the second network elements within the selection range.

2. Policy data: the method comprises one or more selection rules and corresponding first conditions, wherein the selection rules are rules for determining a selection policy for the network storage network element, and the selection rules are, for example, one or more of polling selection, random selection, weighted selection, selection according to an object group, and hash selection. The first condition is, for example, one or more of a network slice type of the second network element service object, a version of the second network element, a type of user that can be served by the second network element, and a location of the second network element.

3. Operation information: the information related to the operation of the network function network elements in the network function network element group specifically includes operation state information and operation change information. The operation state information may be information of an operation state of the network functional network element, and the operation change information may be information of a change in operation of the network functional network element.

4. Public resources: resources commonly allocated by network function network elements within a network function network element group. For example: the following object resources and IP address resources. Grouping the common resources can obtain a common resource group, for example: the following object group and IP address group.

5. The object resource: one type of common resource. The object may be an object corresponding to a second service provided by the second network element, the object resource may be the number of the objects, for example, 1000 ten thousand objects, the object resource may be divided into object groups, for example, 1000 ten thousand objects are divided into 10 groups, and the object resource of each object group is 100 ten thousand objects.

Next, the following description will be made of examples of the present application:

1. and the plurality of second network elements of the same type form one or more second network element groups, and the one or more second network element groups and the second network elements in the groups are installed and deployed and are registered on the network storage network elements.

Further, the network storage network element allocates one or more common resource groups, e.g. object groups, for the second network element within the second network element group.

2. When the first network element needs to invoke a service of the second network element, for example, a second service, a target second network element group may be discovered and selected through the network storage network element, and further a target second network element may be selected in the second network element group.

As to how the first network element selects a target second network element within one target second network element group, reference may be made to the description in the subsequent embodiments. For example: the network storage network element provides a selection policy to the first network element, the selection policy including rules how to select a target second network element and selecting the second network elements within the range, the first network element selecting according to the selection policy.

Taking fig. 3a as an example, a plurality of second network elements (second network element 1, second network element 2, second network element 4, and second network element 5) form two second network elements (second network element group 311 and second network element group 312), and further, the

first network elements

1, 2, 4, and 5 may respectively allocate object group 1 and object group 2, object group 3 and object group 4, object group 7 and object group 8, object group 9 and object group 10. When the first network element needs to invoke the second service of the second network element, the target second network element, such as the second network element group 311, can be discovered through the network storage network element, and further, the target second network element, such as the second network element 1, can be selected from the second network element group 311 according to the selection policy provided by the network storage network element, so that unified control over loads of the second network element 1 and the second network element 2 in the second network element group 311 is realized.

A load management and control method provided in an embodiment of the present application is described below with reference to fig. 3, and as shown in fig. 3, the specific steps are as follows:

s301: the first network element sends a first request to a network storage network element, and the network storage network element receives the first request from the first network element.

Specifically, S301 may be used in any of the following scenarios:

scene one: if the first network element calls the second service, the first request is used for service discovery, and a network element corresponding to the second service, namely the second network element, is discovered.

Scene two: the first request is for subscribing to a selection policy of a second network element within the target second network element group. For example: the first network element has previously obtained a first selection policy (for example, obtained when the first scene calls the second service), and in order that the first network element can timely obtain a new second selection policy when the operation of the second network element in the target second network element group changes, the first network element subscribes the selection policy of the second network element in the target second network element group to the network storage network element, so that the timely adjustment of the load of the second network element in the target second network element group is realized; or the first network element may also subscribe to the selection policy corresponding to the relevant second network element group after installation and deployment.

S302: optionally, the network stores the policy data of the target second network element group, which is obtained by the network element.

In an example, the operation and maintenance system or other entities may provide the policy data to the network storage element through a configuration interface, a service-based interface (SBI) interface, or an API interface, where the following sources of the policy data are the same as those described in this example, and therefore are not described again.

In one example, the operation and maintenance system provides the policy data to the second network element of the target second network element, and the second network element provides the policy data to the network storage network element during the registration process.

In one example, the policy data may be the content shown in table 1a, including one or more first conditions and selection rules corresponding to the first conditions, wherein: the conditions may be any one or more of: network slice type, user type, version, location, the selection rule may be any one or more of the following: polling selection, random selection, weighted selection, selection according to object groups, hash selection, the detailed description is shown in table 1 a.

TABLE 1a

Specifically, the policy data may be:

example 1:

if network slice type MBB, Round Robin

Description of the drawings: and selecting a target second network element in a polling mode in the second network element which can provide services for the MBB type network slice.

Example 2:

if version is 1, weight is 96%

if version 2, weight 4%

Description of the drawings: and selecting the target second network element in a manner of weighting 96% in the second network element meeting the version 1. I.e. 96% of the second services require the selection of a version 1 second network element as the target second network element.

And selecting the target second network element in the second network element meeting the version 2 by adopting a weight 4%.

Example 3:

if supports URLCC, weight 100%, Round Robin between instances

if does not support URLCC, weight is 0%

Description of the drawings: selecting a second network element (hereinafter referred to as a second network element supporting URLCC) supporting the provision of services for the URLCC type network slice by using a weight 100%, that is, selecting a second network element supporting URLCC by using a 100% second service, and further selecting a target second network element in a polling manner among a plurality of second network elements supporting URLCC.

And selecting the second network element which does not support URLCC by adopting a weight 0 percent mode.

It should be noted that S302 is optional in the second scenario of S301, there is no sequence between S301 and S302, S301 and S302 may be executed first and then S302, or S302 and then S301 may be executed first and then S301 may also be executed simultaneously, which is not limited in this application.

S303: and the network storage network element learns that a selection strategy is required to be provided according to the first request, and the selection strategy is used for selecting the target second network element in the target second network element group.

The network storage network element learns that the selection policy needs to be provided according to the first request, and the method may be any one of the following methods:

the first method is as follows: when the first request comprises a second service type and is used for requesting to call a second service, the network storage network element acquires a list of a second network element group corresponding to the second service type according to the first request, wherein the list of the second network element group comprises a target second network element group; and the network storage network element further knows that a first selection strategy corresponding to the target second network element group needs to be provided. Reference may be made to the description in fig. 4.

The second method comprises the following steps: and when the first request comprises the identifier of the target second network element group and is used for subscribing the selection strategy of the target second network element group, the network storage network element learns that a second selection strategy corresponding to the target second network element group needs to be provided according to the identifier of the target second network element group. Reference may be made to the description in fig. 6.

It should be noted that the selection policy includes a selection rule and a second network element in a target second network element group corresponding to the selection rule, and may be any one or more of the following: polling selection and its second network element, random selection and its second network element, weighted selection and its second network element, selection according to object group and its second network element, Hash selection and its second network element.

Specifically, referring to table 1b, taking the second network element 1 and the second network element 2 in the second network element group 311 in fig. 3a as an example, the polling selection is to select the target second network elements in turn in sequence, and specifically may be to select the target second network elements in turn in sequence according to the sequence of the second network elements 1 and the second network elements 2; the random selection is to randomly select a target second network element in a target second network element, specifically, to randomly select a second network element 1 or a second network element 2; the weighted selection is to select a target second network element according to the weight of the second network element in the target second network element, specifically, a second network element 1 is selected according to the proportion of 96%, and a second network element 2 is selected according to the proportion of 4%; selecting a target second network element according to the object group to which the object belongs, specifically selecting the second network element 1 when the groups to which the object belongs are group 1 and group 2, and selecting the second network element 2 when the groups to which the object belongs are group 3 and group 4; and the Hash selection is to select a target second network element according to the service identifier of the client.

TABLE 1b

In an example, optionally, the selection policy may further include a corresponding second condition, for example, the condition of polling selection (second network element 1, second network element 2) is no session, which is specifically shown in table 1 c.

TABLE 1c

Specifically, the description of no session and session can be referred to in fig. 5.

S304: the network storage network element determines a selection strategy according to the operation information of the second network element in the target second network element group;

in an example, when the network storage network element obtains policy data of the target second network element group in S302, where the policy data includes one or more first conditions and a selection rule corresponding to the first conditions, S304 may specifically include the following steps 304a to 304 c:

304 a: the network storage network element determines a target first condition and a target selection rule corresponding to the target first condition. The network storage network element may determine a target first condition in the policy data and a target selection rule corresponding to the target first condition according to one or more of operation information of a second network element in a target second network element group, information carried by the first request, or other information;

304 b: the network storage network element determines a second network element meeting the target first condition in the target second network element group according to the operation information of the second network element in the target second network element group and the target first condition;

304 c: the selection strategy is determined according to steps 304a and 304 b: and selecting according to the target selection rule in the second network element meeting the target first condition. Wherein the selection policy comprises a target selection rule and a second network element satisfying the target first condition.

In one example, the operation information of the second network element in the target second network element group may include information of an operation state and/or information of an operation change of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group. Wherein the content of the first and second substances,

firstly, the method comprises the following steps: information of the operating status of the second network element within the target second network element group

It should be noted that the information of the operating state may be any one or more of the following items: the version of the second network element in the target second network element group, the capacity of the second network element in the target second network element group, the load of the second network element in the target second network element group, the position of the second network element in the target second network element group, the information of the service provided by the second network element in the target second network element group, the network quality of the second network element in the target second network element group, and the information of the public resource of the second network element in the target second network element group.

II, secondly: information of operational changes of one or more second network elements within the target second network element group

It should be noted that the information about the operation change may be any one or more of the following items: capacity expansion of the target second network element group, capacity reduction of the target second network element group, second network element failure in the target second network element group, second network element upgrading in the target second network element group, and redistribution of public resources of the target second network element group.

The common resource may be a resource commonly allocated by the second network element in the second network element group, and may be, for example, an object resource and an address resource.

Specifically, the object may be, for example: taking NF in the 5G network as an example, when the second network element is an AMF, an object of the AMF may be a user; when the second network element is an SMF, the object of the SMF may be a managed session; when the second network element is a UDR, the object of the UDR may be the stored user data.

Accordingly, the object resources, object groups, for example, may be: taking NF in a 5G network as an example, when the second network element is an AMF, the object resources may be the number of users, the object groups may be user groups, and each user group includes object resources of each group; when the second network element is an SMF, the object resource may be the number of sessions, and the object group may be a session group; when the second network element is a UDR, the object resource may be the amount of user data, and the object group may be a user data group.

Specifically, the determining, by the network storage network element according to the operation information of the second network element in the target second network element group, the selection policy may include the following manner:

the first method is as follows: and if the first network element calls the second service, the network storage network element determines a first selection strategy according to the strategy data and the information of the running state of the second network element in the target second network element group.

In one example, when the first request in S301 includes a type of the second service and the slice type corresponding to invoking the second service is an MBB, and the policy data in S302 includes "if network slice type ═ MBB, Round Robin", the network storage network element determines that the target first condition in the corresponding policy data is a network slice type ═ MBB and the target selection rule is polling selection according to the slice type MBB included in the first request; the network storage network element determines a second network element capable of providing a second service for the MBB type network slice in the target second network element group according to the information of the operating state of the second network element in the target second network element group and the target first condition "if network slice type ═ MBB": specifically, the network storage network element determines the second network element 1 according to the operation information of the second network element 1 and the operation state information of the second network element 2, and the second network element 2 can provide a second service for the MBB-type network slice; the network storage network element determines that the first selection policy is: and the second network element 1 and the second network element 2 are selected in turn in sequence. The issued policy is shown in table 1d below:

first selection strategy
	And (3) polling selection: second network element 1, second network element 2

TABLE 1d

For example: when the policy data in S302 is "if version ═ 1, weight is 96%; if version is 2, and weight is 4% ", the network storage network element determines that the first condition of the target is the version, and the target selection rule is weighted selection; the network storage network element determines the version of the second network element in the target second network element group according to the information of the running state of the second network element in the target second network element group: the version of the second network element 1 is v1, and the version of the second network element 1 is v 2; the network storage network element determines that the first selection policy is: the second service of 96% of the target second network element group selects the second network element 1 as the target second network element, and the second service of 4% of the target second network element group selects the second network element 2 as the target second network element. The issued policy is shown in table 1e below:

first selection strategy
	And (3) weight selection: 96% second network element 1, 4% second network element 2

TABLE 1e

The second method comprises the following steps: and if the operation of the second network element in the target second network element group changes, the network storage network element determines a second selection strategy according to the operation change information of the second network element in the target second network element group.

The method specifically comprises the following steps: and under the condition that the operation of the second network element in the target second network element group is changed, the network storage network element acquires the operation change information and determines a second selection strategy according to the operation change information. The second selection policy may include a new target selection rule and a second network element satisfying a new target first condition, or the second selection policy may include related information that the first selection policy needs to be adjusted.

In one example: taking the second network element 1 and the second network element 2 in the second network element group 311 in fig. 3a as an example:

if the first selection policy is polling selection (second network element 1, second network element 2), the operation change information is capacity expansion, for example, a second network element 3 is newly online in the second network element group 311, the network storage network element determines that the second selection policy is polling selection (second network element 1, second network element 2, second network element 3) according to the registration request of the second network element 3, and the issued policy is as shown in the following table 1 f; or the second selection policy may be: the second network element 3 is added to the first selection policy.

Second selection strategy
	And (3) polling selection: second network element 1, second network element 2, second network element 3

TABLE 1f

If the first selection policy is polling selection (the second network element 1, the second network element 2, and the second network element 3), the running change information is a capacity reduction or a fault, for example, the second network element 3 in the second network element group 311 goes offline, the network storage network element determines that the second selection policy is polling selection (the second network element 1, the second network element 2) according to the deregistration request of the second network element 3, and the issued policy is as shown in the following table 1 g; or the second selection policy may be: the second network element 3 is removed in the first selection policy.

Second selection strategy
	And (3) polling selection: second network element 1, second network element 2

TABLE 1g

If the first selection policy is polling selection (the second network element 1 and the second network element 2), the running changed information is upgrade, for example, the second network element 3 in the second network element group 311 is upgraded from version 1 to version 2. The policy data obtained before the network storage network element includes "if version ═ 1, weight is 96%; if version is 2, weight is 4% "or the network storage network element can obtain new policy data" if version is 1, weight is 96%; if version is 2, weight is 4% ". The network storage network element determines, according to the information of the operation change, that is, the updated information (such as registration update or re-registration information) of the second network element 3, that the target first condition in the corresponding policy data is the version, the selection rule is weighted selection, and the weight of the second network element of version 1 is 96% and the weight of the second network element of version 2 is 4% (for the test of the version). The network storage network element determines a second network element 1, and the version of the second network element 2 is v 1; the version of the second network element 3 is v2, and it is further determined that the second selection policy is a policy issued by weighted selection (96% of the second network element 1, the second network element 2; and the second network element 34%) as shown in table 1h below.

TABLE 1h

It should be noted that, 96% of the second network element 1 and the second network element 2 mean: 96% of the services are provided by the second network element 1 or the second network element 2.

If the first selection policy includes the selection according to the object group (group 1, second network element 1; group 2, second network element 1; group 3, second network element 2; group 4, second network element 2), the running change information is the redistribution of the object group, for example, the second network element 3 in the second network element group 311 goes offline, the network storage network element learns the object groups 5 and 6 of the second network element 3 to be recycled according to the de-registration request of the second network element 3, and redistributes the object groups to the second network element 1 and the second network element 2, so as to redetermine the second selection policy, for example, redetermine the second selection policy as the policy issued according to the object group selection (group 1, group 2, 5, second network element 1; group 3, group 4, 6, second network element 2) as shown in table 1i below.

TABLE 1i

S305: the network storage network element sends the selection strategy to the first network element, and the first network element receives the selection strategy from the network storage network element.

In an example, the selection policy may be included in description information (e.g., NF Set profile) of the target second network element group and sent to the first network element, or may be separately defined as a sub-resource of the target second network element group (e.g., a sub-resource that is parallel to the NF Set profile and independent of the NF Set profile) and sent to the first network element.

In one example, the selection policy may include the first selection policy or the second selection policy described in S303.

S306: and the first network element determines a target second network element in the target second network element group according to the selection strategy.

In one example, take the selection policy in table 1c as an example:

if the received selection strategy is polling selection (the second network element 1 and the second network element 2), the first network element selects the second network elements in sequence; or

If the received selection strategy is random selection (the second network element 1 and the second network element 2), the first network element randomly selects the second network element; or

If the received selection policy is a weighted selection (196% for the second network element; 24% for the second network element), the first network element selects the second network element by weight; or

If the received selection strategy is that a session exists, selecting according to an object group (a group 1 second network element 1; a group 2 second network element 1; a group 3 second network element 2; a group 4 second network element 2), wherein the first network element selects a corresponding second network element according to the object group to which the session belongs;

The following describes the method for managing and controlling the load provided in fig. 3 in detail with reference to the embodiments of fig. 4 to 10.

The first embodiment is as follows:

fig. 4 is a flowchart of a load management and control method according to an embodiment of the present application. When the first network element calls the second service, the network storage network element determines the first selection policy according to the running state information of the second network element in the target second network element group, and the method specifically comprises the following steps:

s401: the plurality of second network elements are divided into one or more second network element groups, the one or more second network element groups, and second network element installation deployments within the groups.

In one example, the one or more second network element groups may be the second network element group 311 shown in fig. 3a, wherein the second network element group 311 includes the second network element 1 and the second network element 2. It is to be understood that the second network element group 311 may further include a plurality of other second network elements, and the embodiment only takes the second network element 1 and the second network element 2 as an example. Optionally, in the case of multiple second network elements, a second network element group 312 of fig. 3a is further included, where the second network element group 312 includes a second network element 4 and a second network element 5.

It should be noted that one second network element group may include one or more second network elements, and fig. 3a is taken as an example and does not constitute a limitation to the present application.

The following steps take the second tuple 311 as an example, that is, the target second tuple is the second tuple 311, and this does not limit the present application.

S402: the second network element 1 sends a message 1 to the network storage network element for registration, and the first network element receives the message 1 from the second network element. Message 1 is used for registration. Wherein the message 1 comprises an identification of the second network element group 311 and an identification of the second network element 1.

The identifier of the second network element group 311 is information capable of uniquely identifying the second network element group 311, such as any one or more of an instance group ID (nf set ID) and a network element function set ID.

The identifier of the second network element 1 is information capable of uniquely identifying the second network element 1, and may be any one or more of an IP address and an instance ID of the second network element 1, for example.

In one example: the message 1 comprises operational status information of the second network element 1.

It should be noted that, the content of the information of the operating state of the second network element 1 is the same as the information of the operating state of the second network element in the target second network element group in S304, and the difference is that the main body of the information of the operating state in S304 is the second network element in the target second network element group, and the main body of the information of the operating state in S402 is the second network element 1, which is not described herein again.

It should be noted that, the description of S402 takes the second network element 1 as an example, and other second network elements in the group, such as the second network element 2, perform the same steps, which is not described herein again.

S403: the network stores the policy data 1 of the second network element group 311 acquired by the network element.

In an example, the policy data 1 may include one or more selection rules and one or more conditions corresponding to the selection rules, which are specifically described in S302 and will not be described herein again.

The following steps take policy data 1 as if network slice type MBB, Round Robin as an example.

S404: the first network element learns that the second service needs to be invoked.

Specifically, the first network element determines that a second service needs to be invoked according to its own requirements, or the first network element receives a second request, where the second request includes a type of a requested first service, and the first service needs to invoke the second service of the second network element.

It should be noted that the second request may originate from a network entity (hereinafter, referred to as entity 1) requesting the first service, for example, a terminal or a network element in the network architecture shown in fig. 1.

S405: the first network element sends a first request to a network storage network element, and the network storage network element receives the first request from the first network element, wherein the first request is used for calling the second service.

In particular, the first request may carry a type of the second service.

In one example, the first request includes a slice type (e.g., MBB) corresponding to the second service.

It should be noted that, there is no sequence between S405 and S403, S405 may be executed first and then S403 is executed, or S403 and then S405 are executed first and then S403 and S405 may also be executed simultaneously, which is not limited in this application.

Subsequently, S406 a-S410 a, or S406 b-S408 b are executed.

Case a

S406 a: the network storage network element returns a list of second network elements (e.g., including second network element group 311 and second network element group 312) to the first network element, which receives the list of second network elements from the network storage network element.

S407 a: the first network element selects 311 the second set of network elements from the list of second set of network elements.

S408 a: the first network element sends a message 2 to the network storage network element, which receives the message 2 from the first network element. Message 2 is used to query the description information of the second tuple 311, including the identification of the second tuple 311.

S409 a: the network storage network element determines the first selection policy according to the information of the operating states of the second network element 1 and the second network element 2 in the second network element group 311.

In an example, the network storage element determines the selection rule as polling selection according to the slice type in the first request and the condition in the policy data 1, and further, the network storage element determines that the second network element 1 and the second network element 2 can provide the second service according to the operating states (such as capacity, network quality, and the like) of the second network element 1 and the second network element 2, so as to determine that the first selection policy is:

s410 a: the network storage network element sends the description information of the second network element group 311 to the first network element, where the description information includes the first selection policy, and the first network element receives the description information of the second network element group 311 from the network storage network element. S411 is subsequently performed.

Case b:

s406 b: the network storage network element determines a list of the second network element group and a selection policy corresponding to the second network element group (for example, including the second network element group 311 and the first selection policy thereof, and the second network element group 312 and the fourth selection policy thereof);

s407 b: the network storage network element sends the list of the second network element group and the selection policy corresponding to the second network element group to the first network element, and the first network element receives the list of the second network element group from the network storage network element and the selection policy corresponding to the second network element group (for example, the list of the second network element group 311 and the selection policy corresponding to the second network element group 311, and the selection policy corresponding to the second network element group 312).

S408 b: the first network element selects the second network element group 311 and the first selection policy thereof according to the list of the second network element group and the selection policy corresponding thereto. S411 is subsequently performed.

S411: the first network element selects the second network element 1 according to the first selection policy.

Specifically, the first network element selects the second network element 1 in turn according to the sequence of the second network element 1 and the second network element 2, for example, the second network element 1 is selected.

In one example, the first selection policy further includes a second condition, such as polling selection (second network element 1, second network element 2) when there is no session. The first network element judges that there is no record of the entity 1 invoking the second service related session 1, and then determines to adopt polling selection (the second network element 1, the second network element 2), such as selecting the second network element 1.

Here, the second network element 1 is an example of the target second network element in the target second network element group in S306, and does not form a limitation to the present application, and the selection of the second network element 1 involved in the following steps is also taken as an example, so that details are not described herein.

S412: optionally, the first network element stores the first selection policy.

In one example, when the operation of the second network element in the second network element group 311 is not changed, the first network element receives a third request, where the third request needs to invoke the second service of the second network element, and the first network element selects the second network element 2 according to the first selection policy and according to the rotation order.

By the method, the network storage network element determines the first selection strategy according to the running state information of the second network element in the target second network element group and provides the first selection strategy for the first network element, and the first network element selects the target second network element in the target second network element group according to the first selection strategy, so that the unified management of the network storage network element on the load of the second network element is realized, and the situation that the load of the second network element is uncontrollable due to the fact that the first network element selects according to the own specific algorithm is avoided.

Example two:

fig. 5 is a flowchart of a method for managing and controlling a load according to an embodiment of the present application. When the first selection policy includes: when there is no session, polling and selecting (a second network element 1 and a second network element 2); when a session exists, the following steps are specifically included when (group 1 second network element 1; group 2 second network element 1; group 3 second network element 2; group 4 second network element 2) is selected according to the object group:

s501-503: like S401-S403, are not described in detail.

S504: the network storage element obtains the object group resource of the second network element group 211.

In one example, a network storage network element obtains an object group resource from an operation and maintenance system.

In one example, the network storage network element obtains both the object group resource and the policy data 1 from the operation and maintenance system.

S505: the network storage network element allocates the object group list to the second network element 1 and the second network element 2, and the second network element 1 and the second network element 2 receive the object group list from the network storage network element allocation. For example, as shown in fig. 3a, the object groups allocated to the second network element 1 are object group 1 and object group 2, and the object groups allocated to the second network element 2 are object group 3 and object group 4.

S506-510: similar to S404-S408a, will not be described in detail.

S511: the network storage network element determines the first selection policy according to the information of the operating states of the second network element 1 and the second network element 2 in the second network element group 311 and/or the first request.

Specifically, the network storage network element determines, according to the slice type in the first request and corresponding to the first condition in the policy data 1, that the selection rule is the polling selection, and further, the network storage network element determines, according to the allocation conditions of the object groups of the second network element 1 and the second network element 2, that the first selection policy is: when there is no session, polling and selecting (a second network element 1 and a second network element 2); when a session exists, selecting according to the object group (the second network element 1 of the object group 1, the second network element 1 of the object group 2, the second network element 2 of the object group 3 and the second network element 2 of the object group 4).

S512, the network storage network element sends the first selection strategy to the first network element, and the first network element receives the first selection strategy from the network storage network element.

It should be noted that S509 may be combined with S512, for example, the network storage network element may send the list of the second network element group 311 and the second network element group 312 and the description information of each group to the first network element at the same time, which is not limited in this application.

S513: the first network element selects the second network element 1 according to the first selection policy.

Specifically, if the first network element determines that the session record 1 related to the entity 1 does not exist, the first network element selects the session record in turn according to the sequence of the second network element 1 and the second network element 2, for example, the second network element 1 is selected.

It should be noted that no session may be a record of the absence of the entity 1 on the first network element invoking the second service related session 1, for example, the first network element invokes the second service for the session 1 of the entity 1 for the first time. There is a record that a session may invoke a second service related session for the presentity 1 on the first network element, e.g., the first network element invokes the second service again for session 1 for which entity 1 has invoked the second service.

S514: the first network element initiates a fourth request to the second network element 1, and the second network element 1 receives the fourth request from the first network element, for requesting the second network element 1 to provide the second service.

S515: the second network element 1 returns the object 2 identity and the object group 2 identity to the first network element (i.e. allocated to object group 2), and the first network element receives the object 2 identity and the object group 2 identity from the second network element 1.

The object identifier is information uniquely identifying the object, for example, when the object is a user, the object identifier may be one or more of a user identifier, SUPI, and session ID.

The object group identifier is information uniquely identifying the object group, for example, when the object is a user, the object group identifier may be one or more of a user group identifier and a session set ID.

It should be noted that the second network element 1 allocates the fourth request to an object group for processing, for example, the object group 2, and allocates an object identifier, for example, the object 2 identifier.

S516: the first network element stores the object 2 identifier and the object group 2 identifier and corresponds to the entity 1 and the associated session 1 of the second service it needs to invoke.

S517: the first network element receives a second request 2, wherein the second request 2 originates from the entity 1 and requests the invoked associated session 1 for the second service.

S518: the first network element corresponds the entity 1 and the second service to the object 2 identifier and the object group 2 identifier, and selects the second network element 1 according to the object group 2 identifier.

Specifically, the first network element determines, according to the second request 2, that the record of the related session 1 (for example, in S506) of the second service requested to be invoked by the presentity 1 meets the condition of having the session, determines to select according to the object group to which the object belongs, and further determines, according to the object identifier and the object group identifier stored in S516, and the corresponding relationship between the entity 1 and the related session 1 of the second service invoked by the object, that the object group to which the object belongs is the group 2, thereby selecting and invoking the second network element 1.

By the method, the first network element determines that the rule of polling selection is adopted when no session exists according to the second condition, and the rule of selection according to the object group is adopted when the session exists, so that the unified management of the network storage network element on the load of the second network element is realized, and the situation that the load of the second network element is uncontrollable due to the fact that the first network element selects according to respective special algorithms is avoided.

Example three:

fig. 6 is a flowchart of a method for managing and controlling a load according to an embodiment of the present application. The method shown in fig. 6 may exist independently or may be combined with the embodiments of fig. 4 and 5, for example, after S411 or S515. When the first network element subscribes to the selection policy of the target second network element group, the network storage network element determines a second selection policy according to the information of the operation change of the second network element in the target second network element group, which specifically comprises the following steps:

s601, the first network element sends a first request to the network storage network element, and the network storage network element receives the first request from the first network element, where the first request is used to subscribe to a selection policy of the second network element 311.

Specifically, the selection policy for subscribing to the second network element 311 may be: when the operation of the second network element in the second network element group 311 changes, so that the first selection policy does not satisfy the changed condition of the second network element in the second network element group 311, if the number of the second network elements in the selection range changes, the network storage network element provides the second selection policy.

S602, the network storage network element obtains operation change information of the second network element in the second network element group 311.

Specifically, the network storage network element may obtain the operation change information from the operation and maintenance system, the second network element that has changed in the second network element group, or another entity. For example, the network storage network element receives the operation change information sent by the changed second network element.

It should be noted that the operation change information may be expansion related information, for example, the second network element 3 is online; may be capacity reduction or fault related information, e.g. to take the second network element 3 offline; may be upgrade related information, e.g. the second network element 3 is upgraded from version 1 to version 2; it may be information related to the reallocation of the common resources, e.g. the second network element 3 is offline, so that the object group 5 and the object group 6 allocated by the second network element need to be reallocated to the second network element 1 and the second network element 2.

S603: optionally, the network stores the policy data 2 of the second network element group 311 acquired by the network element.

In an example, the operation and maintenance system or other entity learns operation change information of the second network element in the second network element group 311, learns that policy data 2 needs to be provided to the network storage network element again, and sends the policy data 2 to the network storage network element through a configuration interface, a service-based interface (SBI) interface, or an API interface.

In an example, the policy data 1 is an if network slice type in fig. 4, which is MBB, Round Robin, the operation change information is an upgrade of the second network element 3, and the operation and maintenance system or another entity learns that the second network element 3 is upgraded from version 1 to version 2, and learns that policy data 2 needs to be provided to the network storage network element again, where the policy data 2 may be: if version is 1, weight is 96%; if version 2, weight 4%.

It should be noted that, when the operation and maintenance system or other entity knows the operation change information of the second network element in the second network element group 311 and determines that it is not necessary to provide the policy data 2 to the network storage network element again, S603 is not executed.

S604, the network storage network element determines a second selection policy according to the operation change information of the second network element in the second network element group 311.

Taking the policy data 2 in S603 as if version 1 and weight as 96%; if version 2, weight 4% as an example: the network storage network element may determine, according to the updated information of the second network element 3, that the weight of the second network element 3 is 4%, determine that the weights of the second network element 1 and the second network element 2 are 96%, and then the second selection policy is: a weighted selection (96% second network element 1, second network element 2; 4% second network element 3).

S605: and the network storage network element sends the second selection strategy to the first network element, and the first network element receives the second selection strategy from the network storage network element.

S606: the first network element selects the second network element 1 according to the second selection policy.

Taking the second selection policy as weighted selection (96% of the second network element 1, the second network element 2; 4% of the second network element 3) as an example, the first network element may select the second network element 1 according to the weight.

By the method, when the operation of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group changes, the network storage network element can adjust the selection strategy in time according to the operation change, so that the load of the second network element can be controlled quickly and efficiently, and the management, operation and maintenance costs are reduced.

Example four:

fig. 7 is a flowchart of a method for managing and controlling a load according to an embodiment of the present application. When the operation-changed information is the reallocation of the common resource, for example, the second network element 3 in the second network element group 311 goes offline, so that the object group 5 and the object group 6 allocated to the second network element 3 need to be reallocated, the network storage network element determines the second selection policy according to the reallocation information of the common resource of the second network element in the target second network element group, which specifically includes the following steps:

s701: like S601, it is not described in detail.

S702: the second network element 3 sends a message 3 to the network storage network element, the network storage network element receives the message 3 of the second network element 3, and the message 3 is used for de-registration.

S703: and the network storage network element knows that the object group needs to be reallocated according to the message 3.

S704: the network storage network element recovers the object group 5 and the object group 6 of the second network element 3 and redistributes the object groups to the second network element 1 and/or the second network element 2.

In one example, the network storage network element assigns object group 5 to second network element 1 and object group 6 to second network element 2.

S705: and the network storage network element determines a second selection strategy according to the redistribution of the object group. Wherein the second selection policy comprises the newly allocated object groups 5 and 6.

In one example, the second selection policy comprises a selection according to the object group (

group

1, 2, 5 second network element 1; group 3, 4, 6 second network element 2).

S706: like S605, no further description is provided.

S707: the first network element selects the second network element 1 according to the second selection policy.

In one example, the first network element selects the second network element 3 before the common resource is reallocated, and the second network element 3 may return the object group 5 identifier to the first network element. After the common resource is reallocated, the first network element calls the second service to the second network element 1 according to the second selection policy, and the second network element 1 may return the object group 5 identifier to the first network element.

In one example, the second selection policy includes a second condition (with session). Before allocation, the first network element selects the second network element 3 for the entity 1, and the second network element 3 returns the object group 5 identifier to the first network element. After the common resource is reallocated, the first network element receives the second request 3 sent by the entity 1, and meets the second condition of "having a session", so that the object group 5 is determined to correspond to the second network element 1 according to the fact that the entity 1 and the second request 3 correspond to the object group 5, and the entity 1 is selected to call the second network element 1 to call the second service subsequently.

By the method, when the public resource of the second network element in the target second network element group is redistributed, the network storage network element can adjust the selection strategy in time according to the redistribution of the public resource, so that the load of the second network element can be controlled quickly and efficiently, and the management, operation and maintenance costs are reduced.

Example five:

fig. 8 is a flowchart of a method for managing and controlling a load according to an embodiment of the present application. When the operation change information is expansion, if the second network element 3 in the second network element group 311 is online, the network storage network element determines the second selection policy according to the information that the second network element 3 is online, which specifically includes the following steps:

s801: like S601, it is not described in detail.

S802: the second network element 3 sends a message 4 to the network storage network element, the network storage network element accepts the message 4 of the second network element 3, and the message 4 is used for registration.

S803: and the network storage network element determines a second selection strategy according to the message 4. Wherein the second selection policy comprises the second network element 3 which is on-line.

In one example, the second selection policy comprises a round robin selection (second network element 1, second network element 2, second network element 3).

S804: like S605, no further description is provided.

S805: the first network element selects the second network element 1 according to the second selection policy.

Taking the second selection policy as polling selection (the second network element 1, the second network element 2, and the second network element 3) as an example, the first network elements may be selected alternately in sequence, for example, to the second network element 1.

By the method, when the second network element in the target second network element group is expanded, the network storage network element can adjust the selection strategy in time according to the expansion information of the second network element, so that the second network element load can be controlled quickly and efficiently, and the management, operation and maintenance costs are reduced.

Example six:

fig. 9 is a flowchart of a method for managing and controlling a load according to an embodiment of the present application. When the running change information is a capacity reduction or a fault, if the second network element 3 in the second network element group 311 is offline, the network storage network element determines a second selection policy according to the information that the second network element 3 is offline, which specifically includes the following steps:

s901: like S601, it is not described in detail.

S902: the second network element 3 sends a message 5 to the network storage network element, the network storage network element receives the message 5 of the second network element 3, and the message 5 is used for registering or indicating fault offline.

S903: and the network storage network element determines a second selection strategy according to the message 5.

In one example, the second selection policy comprises a round robin selection (second network element 1, second network element 2).

S904: like S605, no further description is provided.

S905: the first network element selects the second network element 1 according to the second selection policy.

Taking the second selection policy as polling selection (second network element 1, second network element 2) as an example, the first network elements may be selected alternately in sequence, for example, to the second network element 1.

By the method, when the second network element in the target second network element group is in fault or reduced capacity, the network storage network element can adjust the selection strategy in time according to the information of the fault or reduced capacity of the second network element, so that the load of the second network element can be controlled quickly and efficiently, and the management, operation and maintenance costs are reduced.

Example seven:

fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method for managing and controlling a load according to an embodiment of the present application. When the running changed information is an upgrade, if the second network element 3 in the second network element group 311 is upgraded from version 1 to version 2, the network storage network element determines a second selection policy according to the upgraded information of the second network element 3, which specifically includes the following steps:

s1001: like S601, it is not described in detail.

S1002: and the second network element 3 or the second service provided by the second network element 3 is upgraded from version 1 to version 2.

S1003: after the upgrade is completed, the second network element 3 sends a message 6 to the network storage network element, the network storage network element receives the message 6 of the second network element 3, and the first message is used for indicating registration update or re-registration.

S1004: optionally, the network stores the policy data 2 of the second network element group 211 acquired by the network element.

In one example, the operation and maintenance system or other entity provides policy data 2 to the network storage element and sends policy data 2 to the network storage element through a configuration interface, a service-based interface (SBI) interface, or an API interface.

In one example, policy data 2 may be: if version is 1, weight is 96%; if version 2, weight 4%.

S1005: the network storage element determines the second selection policy according to message 6.

In an example, the network storage element determines, according to the message 6, that the upgraded version of the second network element 3 is 2, and learns that the selection rule of the second network element in the second network element group 311 is weighted selection, and the weight of the second network element of version 1 is 96%, and the weight of the second network element of version 2 is 4% for the version test, and further, the network storage element determines that the second selection policy is weighted selection (96% of the second network element 1, the second network element 2, and 4% of the second network element 3).

S1006: like S605, no further description is provided.

S1007: the first network element selects the second network element 1 according to the second selection policy.

Taking the second selection policy as weighted selection (96% second network element 1, second network element 2; 4% second network element 3), the first network element may be selected according to the weight, e.g. to second network element 1.

S1008: optionally, after the version 2 test is completed, the network storage element may further issue a polling selection policy (the second element 1, the second element 2, and the second element 3) to the first element.

For the detailed description, reference may be made to the steps shown in fig. 6, which are not described herein again.

By the method, when the second network element is upgraded in the target second network element group, the network storage network element can adjust the selection strategy in time according to the upgrading information of the second network element, so that the load of the second network element can be controlled quickly and efficiently, and the management, operation and maintenance costs are reduced.

The above-mentioned solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are mainly introduced from the perspective of interaction between network elements, and it can be understood that, in order to implement the above-mentioned functions, the network storage network element, the first network element, and the second network element include hardware structures and/or software modules corresponding to the execution of the respective functions. Those of skill in the art would readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed as hardware or computer software drives hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

In the embodiment of the present application, functional modules of the network storage network element, the first network element, and the second network element may be divided according to the above method example, for example, each functional module may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module, where the integrated module may be implemented in a form of hardware or a form of software functional module. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the division of the module is schematic, and is only one logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

For example, the above network elements or functions may be implemented by the communication device in fig. 11, as shown in fig. 11, the communication device 1100 may be a network storage network element, a first network element, or a second network element. The communication device 1100 includes: the processing unit 1101, the communication unit 1102, and optionally, the storage unit 1103 may also be included. Wherein, the processing unit 1101 is connected with the communication unit 1102, and the processing unit 1101 is connected with the storage unit 1103. Further, the communication unit 1102 may be divided into a receiving unit and a transmitting unit, which perform functions of receiving information and transmitting information, respectively.

The processing unit 1101 is configured to control an action of the network element, for example, support the network element to execute the method and steps provided in the embodiment of the present application. The communication unit 1102 is configured to support communication between the network element and other network entities, for example, communication between the network element and the network entities shown in this embodiment of the present application. The storage unit 1103 is used for storing data or program codes of the above network elements.

The processing unit 1101 may be a processor or a controller, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. Which may implement or perform the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the application. The processor may also be a combination of computing functions, e.g., comprising one or more microprocessors, DSPs, and microprocessors, among others. The communication unit 1102 may be a transceiver. The storage unit 1103 may be a memory.

The communication apparatus 1100 may be a network storage network element, and fig. 11a shows a schematic structural diagram of a network storage network element 1110, which includes a processing unit 1111 and a communication unit 1112, and optionally may further include a storage unit 1113.

The communication unit 1112 is configured to receive a first request from a first network element, which may specifically refer to S301 in fig. 3.

Optionally, the processing unit 1111 is configured to obtain policy data of the target second tuple, which may specifically refer to S302 in fig. 3.

The processing unit 1111 is configured to learn, according to the first request, that a selection policy needs to be provided, where the selection policy is used to select the target second network element in the target second network element group, and specifically refer to S303 in fig. 3.

And is further configured to determine a selection policy according to the operation information of the second network element in the target second network element group, which may specifically refer to S304 in fig. 3.

The communication unit 1112 is further configured to send the selection policy to the first network element, which may specifically refer to S305 in fig. 3.

Further, the network storage element 1110 may also perform corresponding steps in fig. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, which may specifically refer to the description in the foregoing method embodiment.

The communication apparatus 1100 may also be a first network element (i.e., a service consumer network element) in this embodiment, and fig. 11b shows a schematic structural diagram of a service consumer network element 1120, where the service consumer network element includes a processing unit 1121, a communication unit 1122, and optionally, a storage unit 1123.

The processing unit 1121 is configured to learn that the second service needs to be called, and may specifically refer to S404 in fig. 4.

The communication unit 1122 is configured to send the first request to the network storage network element, which may specifically refer to S405 in fig. 4.

The processing unit 1121 is further configured to learn the target second tuple, which may specifically refer to S406a-S407a in fig. 4.

Optionally, the communication unit 1122 is further configured to send a message 2 to the network storage element, so as to query the description information of the target second network element group, which may specifically refer to S408 in fig. 4.

The processing unit 1121 is further configured to obtain a selection policy from the network storage network element, and specifically may obtain the selection policy received by the communication unit 1122, which may specifically refer to S305 in fig. 3.

The processing unit 1121 is further configured to determine a target second network element according to the selection policy. Reference may be made specifically to S306 in fig. 3.

Further, the service consumer network element 1120 may also perform corresponding steps in fig. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, which may specifically refer to the description in the above method embodiment.

When the

processing units

1101, 1111, and 1121, the

communication units

1102, 1112, and 1122 are respectively a processor and a transceiver, and the

storage units

1103, 1113, and 1123 are memories, the network storage network element, the first network element, and the second network element according to the embodiment of the present application may have the structure shown in fig. 12.

Referring to fig. 12, the communication apparatus 1200 includes: the processor 1201, the transceiver 1202, and optionally the memory 1203, may include a bus 1204. The processor 1201, the transceiver 1202, and the memory 1203 are connected by a bus 1204; the bus 1204 may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, or the like. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 12, but this is not intended to represent only one bus or type of bus.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor and an interface circuit, where the processor is connected to the interface circuit.

The processor may be an integrated circuit chip having signal processing capabilities. In implementation, the steps of the above method may be performed by integrated logic circuits of hardware in a processor or instructions in the form of software. The processor 1301 described above may be a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an off-the-shelf programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components. The methods, steps disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented or performed. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

The interface circuit can complete the sending or receiving of data, instructions or information, the processor can utilize the data, instructions or other information received by the interface circuit to process, and the processing completion information can be sent out through the interface circuit.

Optionally, the system-on-chip further includes a memory, which may include read-only memory and random access memory, and provides operating instructions and data to the processor. The portion of memory may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM).

Optionally, the memory stores executable software modules or data structures, and the processor may perform corresponding operations by calling the operation instructions stored in the memory (the operation instructions may be stored in an operating system).

Optionally, the chip system may be used in a network storage network element, a first network element, and a second network element. Optionally, the interface circuit 1302 is configured to perform the steps of receiving and sending of the network storage network element, the first network element, and the second network element in the embodiments shown in fig. 3 to fig. 10. The processor 1301 is configured to execute the steps of processing the network storage network element, the first network element, and the second network element in the embodiments shown in fig. 3 to fig. 10. The memory 1303 is used for storing data and instructions of the network storage network element, the first network element and the second network element in the embodiments shown in fig. 3 to 10.

For example, when the system-on-chip is used in a network storage network element, the first request from the first network element may be received through the interface circuit 1302, which may specifically refer to S301 in fig. 3. The processor 1301 is configured to learn, according to the first request, that a selection policy needs to be provided, where the selection policy is used to select a target second network element in a target second network element group, which may specifically refer to S303 in fig. 3. The processor 1301 is further configured to determine a selection policy according to the operation information of the second network element in the target second network element group, which may specifically refer to S304 in fig. 3. And is further configured to send a selection policy to the first network element, which may specifically refer to S305 in fig. 3.

The embodiment of the application also provides a computer readable storage medium. The methods described in the above method embodiments may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media may include computer storage media and communication media, and may include any medium that can communicate a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer.

As an alternative design, a computer-readable medium may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes Compact Disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

The embodiment of the application also provides a computer program product. The methods described in the above method embodiments may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. The procedures or functions described in the above method embodiments are generated in whole or in part when the above computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, a network appliance, a user device, or other programmable apparatus.

The above-mentioned embodiments, objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention are further described in detail, it should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are only exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements and the like made on the basis of the technical solutions of the present invention should be included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for managing and controlling a load is characterized by comprising the following steps:

a network storage network element receives a first request from a first network element;

the network storage network element acquires a selection strategy of a target second network element group required to be provided according to the first request, wherein the selection strategy is used for selecting the target second network element in the target second network element group;

the network storage network element determines the selection strategy according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group;

and the network storage network element sends the selection strategy to the first network element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: the network storage network element obtaining policy data, the policy data comprising one or more first conditions and selection rules corresponding to the first conditions,

the determining, by the network storage network element, the selection policy according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group includes:

the network storage network element determines a target first condition in the policy data and a target selection rule corresponding to the target first condition;

the network storage network element determines a second network element meeting the target first condition according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group;

the network storage network element determines that the selection policy is: and selecting in the second network element meeting the target first condition according to the target selection rule.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the network storage network element determining a target first condition in policy data and a target selection rule corresponding to the target first condition comprises: and the network storage network element determines a target first condition and a target selection rule corresponding to the target first condition according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group and/or the first request and the policy data.

4. The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein determining, by the network storage element, the selection policy based on operational information of one or more second elements within the target second element group comprises:

the network storage network element acquires the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group, wherein the operation information comprises the information of the operation state;

and the network storage network element determines a first selection strategy according to the information of the running state of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises:

the network storage network element acquires a list of public resource groups;

the network storage network element allocates the public resource group to a second network element in the target second network element group;

the determining, by the network storage network element, the first selection policy according to the information of the operating states of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group includes: the network storage element determines the first selection policy according to information of one or more second element operation states in the target second element group, where the information of the operation states includes the allocated public resource group corresponding to the second element in the target second element group, and the first selection policy includes the allocated public resource group corresponding to the second element in the target second element group.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first request includes a second service type for requesting to invoke a second service, and the knowing, by the network storage element according to the first request, the selection policy for providing the target second tuple comprises:

the network storage network element acquires a list of second network elements corresponding to a second service type according to the first request, wherein the list of the second network elements comprises a target second network element;

and the network storage network element knows that the first selection strategy corresponding to the target second network element group needs to be provided.

7. The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein determining, by the network storage element, the selection policy based on operational information of one or more second elements within the target second element group comprises:

the network storage network element acquires the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group, wherein the operation information comprises operation change information;

and the network storage network element determines a second selection strategy according to the information of the operation change of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first request includes an identifier of the target second tuple for subscribing to the selection policy of the target second tuple, and the knowing, by the network storage network element according to the first request, the selection policy of the target second tuple that needs to be provided comprises:

and the network storage network element acquires a second selection strategy corresponding to the target second network element group according to the identifier of the target second network element group.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein if the operational change comprises a reallocation of a set of common resources, the method further comprises:

the network storage network element reallocates the public resource group to a second network element in the target second network element group;

determining, by the network storage network element, a second selection policy according to the information about the operation change of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group includes:

and the network storage network element determines a second selection strategy according to the newly allocated public resource group corresponding to the second network element in the target second network element group, wherein the second selection strategy comprises the newly allocated public resource group corresponding to the second network element in the target second network element group.

10. A method for managing and controlling a load is characterized by comprising the following steps:

the first network element acquires that a second service needs to be called;

the first network element acquires a target second network element group, and a second network element in the target second network element group can provide the second service;

the first network element acquires a selection strategy of a target second network element group from a network storage network element, wherein the selection strategy is used for selecting the target second network element in the target second network element group and is determined according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group;

and the first network element determines the target second network element according to the selection strategy.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the operational information includes operational status information, and the selection policy is a first selection policy determined based on the operational status information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: and the first network element sends a first request to the network storage network element, wherein the first request comprises a second service type and is used for requesting to call a second service.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the operational information includes operational change information, and the selection policy is a second selection policy determined based on the operational change information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: and the first network element sends a first request to the network storage network element, wherein the first request comprises the identifier of the target second network element group and is used for subscribing the selection strategy of the target second network element group.

15. The method according to any of claims 10-14, wherein the selection policy comprises a target selection rule, and a second network element, wherein the operation information of the second network element satisfies a target first condition corresponding to the target selection rule;

the determining, by the first network element, the target second network element according to the selection policy includes: and the first network element selects the target second network element from the second network elements meeting the target first condition according to the target selection rule.

16. A network storage network element, comprising: a processing unit, a communication unit; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the communication unit is configured to receive a first request from a first network element;

the processing unit is configured to obtain, according to the first request, a selection policy that a target second network element group needs to be provided, where the selection policy is used to select the target second network element in the target second network element group;

and the selection policy is determined according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group;

the communication unit is further configured to send the selection policy to the first network element.

17. The network storage network element of claim 16,

the processing unit is further configured to obtain policy data, the policy data including one or more first conditions and selection rules corresponding to the first conditions,

the processing unit is configured to determine, according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group, that the selection policy includes:

the processing unit is used for determining a target first condition in the policy data and a target selection rule corresponding to the target first condition;

determining a second network element meeting the target first condition according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group;

and determining that the selection policy is: and selecting in the second network element meeting the target first condition according to the target selection rule.

18. The network storage network element of claim 17, wherein the processing unit to determine a target first condition in the policy data and a target selection rule corresponding to the target first condition comprises: the processing unit is configured to determine a target first condition and a target selection rule corresponding to the target first condition according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group and/or the first request, and the policy data.

19. The network storage network element of any one of claims 16-18, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine the selection policy according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group, and comprises:

the processing unit is configured to obtain operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group, where the operation information includes information of an operation state;

and determining a first selection strategy according to the information of the operating states of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group.

20. The network storage network element of claim 19,

the processing unit is further configured to obtain a list of common resource groups;

and allocating the set of common resources to a second network element in the target second network element group;

the processing unit is configured to determine, according to the information about the operating states of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group, a first selection policy including: the processing unit is configured to, according to information of operating states of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group, where the information of the operating states includes the allocated common resource group corresponding to the second network element in the target second network element group,

and determining the first selection strategy, wherein the first selection strategy comprises the allocated public resource group corresponding to the second network element in the target second network element group.

21. The network storage network element of claim 19, wherein the first request includes a second service type for requesting to invoke a second service, and the processing unit being configured to learn, based on the first request, a selection policy for providing the target second tuple comprises:

the processing unit is used for acquiring a list of second network elements corresponding to a second service type according to the first request, wherein the list of the second network elements comprises a target second network element;

and acquiring the first selection strategy corresponding to the target second network element group needing to be provided.

22. The network storage network element of any one of claims 16-18, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine the selection policy according to the operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group, and comprises:

the processing unit is configured to obtain operation information of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group, where the operation information includes operation change information;

and determining a second selection strategy according to the information of the operation change of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group.

23. The network storage network element of claim 22, wherein the first request includes an identifier of the target second network element group, and is used to subscribe to a selection policy of the target second network element group, and the processing unit is configured to learn, according to the first request, a selection policy that the target second network element group needs to be provided includes:

and the processing unit is used for acquiring that the second selection strategy corresponding to the target second network element group needs to be provided according to the identifier of the target second network element group.

24. The network storage network element of claim 22, wherein if the operational change comprises a reallocation of a set of common resources, the processing unit is further to reallocate the set of common resources to a second network element within the target second network element;

the processing unit is configured to determine, according to the information about the operation change of one or more second network elements in the target second network element group, a second selection policy including:

the processing unit is configured to determine a second selection policy according to the newly allocated common resource group corresponding to the second network element in the target second network element group, where the second selection policy includes the newly allocated common resource group corresponding to the second network element in the second network element group.

25. A service consumer network element, comprising: a processing unit, a communication unit; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the processing unit is used for acquiring that a second service needs to be called;

and a received target second network element group, a second network element within the target second network element group being capable of providing the second service;

receiving a selection strategy from a network storage network element through the communication unit, wherein the selection strategy is used for selecting a target second network element in the target second network element group, and the selection strategy is determined according to the operation information of one or more second network elements of the second network element in the target second network element group;

and determining the target second network element according to the selection policy.

26. The service consumer network element of claim 25, wherein the operational information includes operational status information, the selection policy is a first selection policy determined based on the operational status information for one or more second network elements in the target second network element group.

27. The service consumer network element of claim 26, wherein the communication unit is to send a first request to the network storage network element, the first request including a second service type to request invocation of a second service.

28. The service consumer network element of claim 25, wherein the operational information includes operational change information, then the selection policy is a second selection policy determined based on the operational change information for one or more second network elements within the target second network element group.

29. The service consumer network element of claim 28, wherein the communication unit is to send a first request to the network storage network element, the first request including an identification of the target second network element for subscribing to a selection policy of the target second network element.

30. The service consumer network element of any one of claims 25-29, wherein the selection policy comprises a target selection rule, and wherein the operational information of the second network element satisfies a target first condition corresponding to the target selection rule;

the processing unit is configured to determine, according to the selection policy, a target second network element, including: the processing unit is configured to select the target second network element from the second network elements that satisfy the target first condition according to the target selection rule.