Information Processing Method and Communications Device

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention

This application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to an information processing method and apparatus, and a communications device.

Description of Related Art

An edge application server discovery function (EASDF) is a network element used for processing a domain name system (DNS) query sent by user equipment (UE). At present, the UE sends the DNS query to the EASDF, and the EASDF determines whether to send the DNS query to a central DNS (C-DNS) or a local DNS (L-DNS) based on the DNS query, and then sends a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) and other information in the DNS query to a session management function (SMF). The SMF provides an Internet protocol (IP) address of a corresponding DNS server for the EASDF, such as C-DNS or L-DNS IP address. Then, after finding an IP address corresponding to the FQDN, the C-DNS or the L-DNS sends an address of an application server to the EASDF (in the form of DNS response), and the EASDF saves a query result to the SMF before sending it to the UE. In this way, the UE obtains a server IP address of a requested FQDN. However, it is difficult to use the foregoing DNS query scheme to find an appropriate server quickly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, an information processing method is provided, including:

receiving, by a first communications device, a first analysis request, where the first analysis request is used to request analysis of a first domain name system (DNS) query; and

sending, by the first communications device, a first analysis response based on the first analysis request, where

the first analysis response includes at least one of:

related information of a first DNS server; or

related information of a first application server, where

the first DNS server is a DNS server corresponding to the first DNS query, and the first application server is an application server corresponding to the first DNS query.

According to a second aspect, an information processing method is provided, including:

receiving, by a first communications device, a second analysis request, where the second analysis request carries an address/addresses of at least one second application server;

analyzing, by the first communications device, the at least one second application server, to obtain an analysis result, where the analysis result includes an address of an optimal second application server, or the analysis result includes at least one of a priority of each second application server or service experience of the second application server; and

sending, by the first communications device, the second analysis response, where the second analysis response includes the analysis result, where

the second analysis request is used for requesting at least one of:

obtaining service experience of the second application server in a DNS response;

determining an optimal second application server among multiple second application servers in the DNS response; or

determining a priority of each second application server.

According to a third aspect, an information processing method is provided, including:

sending, by a second communications device, a first analysis request, where the first analysis request is used to request analysis of a first domain name system (DNS) query; and

obtaining, by the second communications device, a first analysis response, where

the first analysis response includes at least one of:

related information of a first DNS server; or

related information of a first application server, where

the first DNS server is a DNS server corresponding to the first DNS query, and the first application server is an application server corresponding to the first DNS query.

According to a fourth aspect, an information processing method is provided, including:

sending, by a second communications device, DNS query reference information, where

the DNS query reference information includes at least one of:

address information of a DNS server;

address information of an application server;

a mapping relationship between the address information and a location of the DNS server;

a mapping relationship between an address of the DNS server and an ECS option;

service experience information of the DNS server; or

service experience information of the application server.

According to a fifth aspect, an information processing method is provided, including:

obtaining, by a third communications device, a DNS response; and

determining, by the third communications device, an accessed application server based on the DNS response, where

the DNS response includes address information of a first application server, the first application server is an application server that is corresponding to a first DNS query and that is determined by a first communications device based on a first analysis request, and the first analysis request is used to request analysis of a first domain name system (DNS) query; or

the DNS response includes a priority of each second application server or an address of an optimal second application server, the second application server is an application server included in a first DNS response, and the first DNS response is a query response sent by a first DNS server.

According to a sixth aspect, an information processing method is provided, including:

sending, by a second communications device, a DNS server address, where the DNS server address carries a mark, where

the mark is used to indicate at least one of:

that the DNS server address is sent by an operator;

that the DNS server address is used for an edge computing scenario;

that the DNS server address is unable to be changed;

that the DNS server address is suitable for some applications;

that the DNS server address coexists with a DNS configuration of an original terminal;

that the DNS server address is invisible to a user or an application;

that the DNS server address is suitable for some areas or locations;

that the DNS server address is used for an application edge application that signs a contract with an operator;

that the DNS server address is used for an edge application;

that the DNS server address is used for a local data network; or

that the DNS server address is used for S-NSSAI.

According to a seventh aspect, an information processing method is provided, including:

receiving, by a third communications device, a DNS server address, where the DNS server address carries a mark, where

the mark is used to indicate at least one of:

that the DNS server address is sent by an operator;

that the DNS server address is used for an edge computing scenario;

that the DNS server address is unable to be changed;

that the DNS server address is suitable for some applications;

that the DNS server address coexists with a DNS configuration of an original terminal;

that the DNS server address is invisible to a user or an application;

that the DNS server address is suitable for some areas or locations;

that the DNS server address is used for an application edge application that signs a contract with an operator;

that the DNS server address is used for an edge application;

that the DNS server address is used for a local data network; or

that the DNS server address is used for S-NSSAI.

According to an eighth aspect, an information processing apparatus is provided, including:

a first receiving module, configured to receive a first analysis request, where the first analysis request is used to request analysis of a first domain name system (DNS) query; and

a first sending module, configured to send a first analysis response based on the first analysis request, where

the first analysis response includes at least one of:

related information of a first DNS server; or

related information of a first application server, where

the first DNS server is a DNS server corresponding to the first DNS query, and the first application server is an application server corresponding to the first DNS query.

According to a ninth aspect, an information processing apparatus is provided, including:

a second receiving module, configured to receive a second analysis request, where the second analysis request carries an address/addresses of at least one second application server;

a first analyzing module, configured to analyze the at least one second application server, to obtain an analysis result, where the analysis result includes an address of an optimal second application server, or the analysis result includes at least one of a priority of each second application server or service experience of the second application server; and

a second sending module, configured to send the second analysis response, where the second analysis response includes the analysis result, where

the second analysis request is used for requesting at least one of:

obtaining service experience of the second application server in a DNS response;

determining an optimal second application server among multiple second application servers in the DNS response; or

determining a priority of each second application server.

According to a tenth aspect, an information processing apparatus is provided, including:

a third sending module, configured to send a first analysis request, where the first analysis request is used to request analysis of a first domain name system (DNS) query; and

a second obtaining module, configured to obtain a first analysis response, where

the first analysis response includes at least one of:

related information of a first DNS server; or

related information of a first application server, where

the first DNS server is a DNS server corresponding to the first DNS query, and the first application server is an application server corresponding to the first DNS query.

According to an eleventh aspect, an information processing apparatus is provided, including:

a sixth sending module, configured to send DNS query reference information, where

the DNS query reference information includes at least one of:

address information of a DNS server;

address information of an application server;

a mapping relationship between the address information and a location of the DNS server;

a mapping relationship between an address of the DNS server and an ECS option;

service experience information of the DNS server; or

service experience information of the application server.

According to a twelfth aspect, an information processing apparatus is provided, including:

a third obtaining module, configured to obtain a DNS response; and

a third determining module, configured to determine an accessed application server based on the DNS response, where

According to a thirteenth aspect, an information processing apparatus is provided, including:

a seventh sending module, configured to send a DNS server address, where the DNS server address carries a mark, where

the mark is used to indicate at least one of:

that the DNS server address is sent by an operator;

that the DNS server address is used for an edge computing scenario;

that the DNS server address is unable to be changed;

that the DNS server address is suitable for some applications;

that the DNS server address coexists with a DNS configuration of an original terminal;

that the DNS server address is invisible to a user or an application;

that the DNS server address is suitable for some areas or locations;

that the DNS server address is used for an application edge application that signs a contract with an operator;

that the DNS server address is used for an edge application;

that the DNS server address is used for a local data network; or

that the DNS server address is used for S-NSSAI.

According to a fourteenth aspect, an information processing apparatus is provided, including:

a third receiving module, configured to receive a DNS server address, where the DNS server address carries a mark, where

the mark is used to indicate at least one of:

that the DNS server address is sent by an operator;

that the DNS server address is used for an edge computing scenario;

that the DNS server address is unable to be changed;

that the DNS server address is suitable for some applications;

that the DNS server address coexists with a DNS configuration of an original terminal;

that the DNS server address is invisible to a user or an application;

that the DNS server address is suitable for some areas or locations;

that the DNS server address is used for an application edge application that signs a contract with an operator;

that the DNS server address is used for an edge application;

that the DNS server address is used for a local data network; or

that the DNS server address is used for S-NSSAI.

According to a fifteenth aspect, a network side device is provided. The network side device is a first communications device or a second communications device, and the network side device includes a processor, a memory, and a program or an instruction stored in the memory and executable on the processor, where when the program or the instruction is executed by the processor, steps of the method according to the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, or the sixth aspect are implemented.

According to a sixteenth aspect, a network side device is provided, including a processor and a communications interface, where the network side device is a first communications device or a second communications device, and when the network side device is the first communications device, the communications interface is configured to: receive a first analysis request, where the first analysis request is used to request analysis of a first domain name system (DNS) query; and send a first analysis response based on the first analysis request, where the first analysis response includes at least one of:

related information of a first DNS server; or

related information of a first application server, where

the first DNS server is a DNS server corresponding to the first DNS query, and the first application server is an application server corresponding to the first DNS query.

Alternatively, when the network side device is the first communications device, the communications interface is configured to receive a second analysis request, where the second analysis request carries an address/addresses of at least one second application server; the processor is configured to analyze the at least one second application server, to obtain an analysis result, where the analysis result includes an address of an optimal second application server, or the analysis result includes at least one of a priority of each second application server or service experience of the second application server; and the communications interface is configured to send the second analysis response, where the second analysis response includes the analysis result, where

the second analysis request is used for requesting at least one of:

obtaining service experience of the second application server in a DNS response;

determining an optimal second application server among multiple second application servers in the DNS response; or

determining a priority of each second application server.

Alternatively, when the network side device is the second communications device, the communications interface is configured to: send a first analysis request, where the first analysis request is used to request analysis of a first domain name system (DNS) query; and obtain a first analysis response, where

the first analysis response includes at least one of:

related information of a first DNS server; or

related information of a first application server, where

the first DNS server is a DNS server corresponding to the first DNS query, and the first application server is an application server corresponding to the first DNS query.

Alternatively, when the network side device is the second communications device, the communications interface is configured to send DNS query reference information, where

the DNS query reference information includes at least one of:

address information of a DNS server;

address information of an application server;

a mapping relationship between the address information and a location of the DNS server;

a mapping relationship between an address of the DNS server and an ECS option;

service experience information of the DNS server; or

service experience information of the application server.

Alternatively, when the network side device is the second communications device, the communications interface is configured to send a DNS server address, where the DNS server address carries a mark, where

the mark is used to indicate at least one of:

that the DNS server address is sent by an operator;

that the DNS server address is used for an edge computing scenario;

that the DNS server address is unable to be changed;

that the DNS server address is suitable for some applications;

that the DNS server address coexists with a DNS configuration of an original terminal;

that the DNS server address is invisible to a user or an application;

that the DNS server address is suitable for some areas or locations;

that the DNS server address is used for an application edge application that signs a contract with an operator;

that the DNS server address is used for an edge application;

that the DNS server address is used for a local data network; or

that the DNS server address is used for S-NSSAI.

According to a seventeenth aspect, a third communications device is provided, where the third communications device is a terminal, including a processor, a memory, and a program or an instruction stored in the memory and executable on the processor, and when the program or the instruction is executed by the processor, steps of the method according to the fifth aspect or the seventh aspect are implemented.

According to an eighteenth aspect, a third communications device is provided, where the third communications device is a terminal, including a processor and a communications interface, and the communications interface is configured to obtain a DNS response; and the processor is configured to determine an accessed application server based on the DNS response, where

Alternatively, the communications interface is configured to receive a DNS server address, and the DNS server address carries a mark, where

the mark is used to indicate at least one of:

that the DNS server address is sent by an operator;

that the DNS server address is used for an edge computing scenario;

that the DNS server address is unable to be changed;

that the DNS server address is suitable for some applications;

that the DNS server address coexists with a DNS configuration of an original terminal;

that the DNS server address is invisible to a user or an application;

that the DNS server address is suitable for some areas or locations;

that the DNS server address is used for an application edge application that signs a contract with an operator;

that the DNS server address is used for an edge application;

that the DNS server address is used for a local data network; or

that the DNS server address is used for S-NSSAI.

According to a nineteenth aspect, a chip is provided, where the chip includes a processor and a communications interface, the communications interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to execute a program or an instruction to implement steps of the method according to the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, or the seventh aspect.

According to a twentieth aspect, a computer program/program product is provided, where the computer program/program product is stored in a non-transitory storage medium, and the program/program product is executed by at least one processor to implement steps of the method according to the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, or the seventh aspect.

According to a twenty-first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a communications device, configured to perform steps of the method according to the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, or the seventh aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a communications system to which embodiments of this application can be applied;

FIG. 2 is a first schematic flowchart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 3 is a second schematic flowchart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 4 is a third schematic flowchart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 5 is a fourth schematic flowchart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 6 is a fifth schematic flowchart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 7 is a sixth schematic flowchart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 8 is a seventh schematic flowchart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic interaction diagram of an information processing method according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 10 is a first schematic diagram of a module of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 11 is a second schematic diagram of a module of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 12 is a third schematic diagram of a module of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 13 is a fourth schematic diagram of a module of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 14 is a fifth schematic diagram of a module of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 15 is a sixth schematic diagram of a module of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 16 is a seventh schematic diagram of a module of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 17 is a structural block diagram of a network side device according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 18 is a structural block diagram of a communications device according to an embodiment of this application; and

FIG. 19 is a structural block diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of this application.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following clearly describes technical solutions in embodiments of this application with reference to accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Apparently, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application.

The terms “first”, “second”, and the like in this specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish between similar objects instead of describing a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that, the terms used in such a way are interchangeable in proper circumstances, so that the embodiments of this application can be implemented in an order other than the order illustrated or described herein. Objects classified by “first” and “second” are usually of a same type, and the number of objects is not limited. For example, there may be one or more first objects. In addition, in the description and the claims, “and/or” represents at least one of connected objects, and a character “/” generally represents an “or” relationship between associated objects.

It should be noted that, the technologies described in the embodiments of this application are not limited to a Long Term Evolution (LTE)/LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system, and can also be used in other wireless communications systems such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), and another system. The terms “system” and “network” in the embodiments of this application may be used interchangeably. The technologies described can be applied to both the systems and the radio technologies mentioned above as well as to other systems and radio technologies. The following descriptions describe a new radio (NR) system for example purposes, and NR terms are used in most of the following descriptions, but these technologies can also be applied to an application other than an NR system application, for example, a 6th generation (6G) communications system.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communications system to which embodiments of this application can be applied. The wireless communications system includes a terminal 11, an access network device 12, and a core network device 13. The terminal 11 may also be referred to as a terminal device or user equipment (UE). The terminal 11 may be a terminal side device such as a mobile phone, a tablet personal computer, a laptop computer or a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a palmtop computer, a netbook, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a mobile Internet device (MID), a wearable device, vehicle user equipment (VUE), or pedestrian user equipment (PUE). The wearable device includes: a smartwatch, a bracelet, a headset, glasses, and the like. It should be noted that a type of the terminal 11 is not limited in the embodiments of this application. The access network device 12 may also be referred to as a radio access network device or a radio access network (RAN), and the access network device 12 may be a base station. The base station may be referred to as a NodeB, an evolved NodeB, an access point, a base transceiver station (BTS), a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), a NodeB, an evolved NodeB (eNB), a home NodeB, a home evolved NodeB, a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point, a wireless fidelity (WiFi) node, a transmitting receiving point (TRP), or another appropriate term in the art. As long as the same technical effect is achieved, the base station is not limited to a specific technical term. It should be noted that the base station in the NR system is taken only as an example in the embodiments of this application, but a type of the base station is not limited. The core network device 13 may also be referred to as a core network (CN) or a 5G core (5GC) network. The core network device 13 may include but is not limited to at least one of: a core network node, a core network function, a mobility management entity (MME), an access management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a user plane function (UPF), a policy control function (PCF), a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) unit, an edge application server discovery function (EASDF), an application function (AF), or a network data analytics function (NWDAF). It should be noted that, in this embodiment of this application, only the core network device in the 5G system is taken as an example.

The following describes in detail the information processing method provided in the embodiments of this application through some embodiments and application scenarios thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, an embodiment of this application provides an information processing method, including the following steps.

Step 201: A first communications device receives a first analysis request, where the first analysis request is used to request analysis of a first domain name system (DNS) query.

Step 202: The first communications device sends a first analysis response based on the first analysis request.

The first analysis response includes at least one of:

related information of a first DNS server; or

related information of a first application server, where

the first DNS server is a DNS server corresponding to the first DNS query, and the first application server is an application server corresponding to the first DNS query.

Herein, the first DNS server is a DNS server corresponding to the first DNS query, which means that the first DNS query will be sent to the first DNS server; and the first application server is corresponding to the first DNS query, which means that an address of the first application server is used as a first DNS response, and the first DNS response is used to respond to the first DNS query.

In this embodiment of this application, the first analysis response is used to provide at least one of:

a first DNS server to which the first DNS query will be routed;

a first application server for responding to the first DNS query; or

experience information of the DNS server.

The first DNS query in this embodiment of this application can also be described as a first DNS query request, a first DNS request, or the like.

The first analysis request is sent by a second communications device, the second communications device is at least one of the SMF or the EASDF, and the first communications device is a network data analysis function (NWDAF).

Optionally, the first analysis request includes at least one of:

a data network name (DNN);

single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI);

user plane function (UPF) information (info); an edge application server discovery function (EASDF) IP address;

a data network access identifier (DNAI);

address information of the first application server;

address information of the first DNS server;

an IP address of a terminal; or

a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) in the first DNS query.

In this embodiment of this application, the first analysis request may be Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe.

In this embodiment of this application, the first analysis response may be Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request response or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Notify.

In this embodiment of this application, the UPF info includes a UPF IP address, a UPF ID, UPF URI, and the like.

According to the information processing method in this embodiment of this application, the first communications device receives the first analysis request, the first analysis request is used to request analysis of the first domain name system (DNS) query, and the first communications device analyzes the first analysis request to obtain the first analysis response. The first analysis response includes at least one of the related information of the first DNS server or the related information of the first application server. The first analysis response is sent to the second communications device, so that the second communications device can determine, based on the first analysis response, the DNS server or the application server corresponding to the first DNS query. In this way, with the assistance of the first communications device, the second communications device can quickly find the corresponding DNS server or application server.

Optionally, before the sending a first analysis response, further including:

obtaining DNS query reference information; and

determining the first analysis response based on the DNS query reference information, where

the DNS query reference information includes at least one of:

address information of a DNS server;

address information of an application server;

a mapping relationship between the address information and a location of the DNS server;

a mapping relationship between an address of the DNS server and an evolved DNS client subnet (ECS) option;

service experience information of the DNS server; or

service experience information of the application server.

It should be noted that the address information in this embodiment of this application may include at least one of an IP address, an FQDN, or a uniform resource identifier (URI). The application server can be an edge application server (EAS).

The mapping relationship between the address information and the location of the DNS server means corresponding to the DNS server in a location area, that is, a DNS request initiated in this location area will be sent to a DNS server corresponding to this location area; and

the mapping relationship between the address of the DNS server and the ECS option means initiating a DNS query in a location area, and an ECS option to which the DNS query will be added and the DNS query are sent to a corresponding DNS server.

Optionally, before the obtaining DNS query reference information, further including:

sending a subscription request, where the subscription request is used for requesting to obtain the DNS query reference information.

In this embodiment of this application, the subscription request may be:

Nsmf_EventExposure_Subscribe or Neasdf_EventExposure_Subscribe or Naf_EventExposure_Subscribe.

If a subscription object is the EASDF, the subscription request includes the following parameters: Event ID=Service Experience information, Application ID, Event Filter information, and Target of Event Reporting=any UE.

For example, the subscription request may be sent to the SMF, the EASDF and the AF, so that the SMF, the EASDF, and the AF can return the DNS query reference information based on the subscription request.

The SMF, EASDF, and AF may feed back the subscription request by using a subscription response, and the subscription response may be: Nsmf_EventExposure_Notify or Neasdf_EventExposure_Notify or Naf_EventExposure_Notify.

Optionally, the related information of the first DNS server includes: an address of a default DNS server of an edge application server discovery function (EASDF); or

the related information of the first DNS server includes at least one of an address of a local DNS server or service experience information of the local DNS server; or

the related information of the first DNS server includes at least one of an ECS option corresponding to a central DNS server, an address of the central DNS server, or service experience information of the central DNS server.

In an embodiment of this application, the first communications device can assist the EASDF or the SMF to configure a default DNS server. For example, after establishing a session for the UE, the SMF may select an EASDF for the UE. After selection, the SMF may establish DNS context for the UE in the EASDF, and the SMF may further configure a default DNS server for the EASDF as a default configuration. An optional configuration manner is: the SMF may request the NWDAF to provide a default DNS server for the EASDF. A request method is: the SMF uses EASDF IP, DNN, S-NSSAI, DNAI, UPF info, and the like to initiate the first analysis request. The NWDAF feeds back a DNS server as a result through the first analysis response. Another optional configuration manner is: the SMF itself finds multiple L-DNSes (the multiple L-DNSes are used as candidate L-DNSes) based on a location of the EASDF, a DNAL UE location, and the like, but the SMF doesn't know which one is the best, so the SMF sends IP addresses of these L-DNS servers to the NWDAF through an analysis request, to see which L-DNS will be recommended by the NWDAF, or to determine whether an L-DNS recommended by the NWDAF matches the candidate L-DNS found by the SMF. The NWDAF may also provide a priority list corresponding to a priority of each L-DNS, and the SMF selects a default DNS server based on information returned by the NWDAF. There is another optional implementation: the SMF has selected a DNS server for the EASDF, but doesn't know performance of this DNS server. Therefore, the SMF sends IP, DNN, S-NSSAI, DNAI, UPF info, DNS server IP, and the like of the EASDF to the NWDAF by using the first analysis request, and the NWDAF feeds back service experience of a DNS server. The service experience is service experience of using the DNS server for querying, such as querying a delay. The SMF determines whether to use the selected DNS server as the default DNS server based on the returned service experience.

Optionally, the related information of the first application server includes at least one of:

item 1: an address/addresses of at least one first application server;

item 2: a priority/priorities of at least one first application server; or

item 3: an address of a first application server recommended by the first communications device, where the address of the first application server recommended by the first communications device serves as the first DNS response.

For the item 3, when the first analysis request includes a C-DNS address, the first communications device can directly send the recommended address of the first application server to the terminal.

Optionally, the service experience information of the DNS server includes at least one of a query response time, an uplink rate, a downlink rate, or a DNS resolution time.

Herein, the query response time refers to a time from the terminal sending a DNS query to the terminal receiving a DNS response; or a time from the second communications device sending the DNS query to the second communications device receiving the DNS response. The query response time may also be described as a query time.

The DNS resolution time refers to a time required for the DNS server to resolve the DNS query, and the DNS resolution time may also be described as a resolution time.

Optionally, the service experience information of the application server includes at least one of:

a server response time;

a packet delay;

a packet loss rate;

an uplink communication rate;

a downlink communication rate;

a number of data packets; or

a number of packets retransmitted.

According to the information processing method in this embodiment of this application, the first communications device receives the first analysis request, the first analysis request is used to request analysis of the first domain name system (DNS) query, and the first communications device analyzes the first analysis request to obtain the first analysis response. The first analysis response includes at least one of the related information of the first DNS server or the related information of the first application server. The first analysis response is sent to the second communications device, so that the second communications device can determine, based on the first analysis response, the DNS server or the application server corresponding to the first DNS query. In this way, with the assistance of the first communications device, the second communications device can provide a DNS server or an application server with better performance based on historical statistical information or artificial intelligence.

As shown in FIG. 3, an embodiment of this application provides an information processing method, including the following steps.

Step 301: A first communications device receives a second analysis request, where the second analysis request carries an address/addresses of at least one second application server.

The second analysis request is used for requesting at least one of:

obtaining service experience of the second application server in a DNS response;

determining an optimal second application server among multiple second application servers in the DNS response; or

determining a priority of each second application server.

The second analysis request is sent by a second communications device, the second communications device is at least one of the SMF or the EASDF, and the first communications device is an NWDAF.

In this embodiment of this application, the second analysis request may be Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe.

The optimal second application server may refer to a second application server with a shortest delay, a highest rate, a least packet loss and/or a smallest delay, that is, the optimal second application server is a second application server with best service experience.

Step 302: The first communications device analyzes the at least one second application server, to obtain an analysis result, where the analysis result includes an address of an optimal second application server, or the analysis result includes at least one of a priority of each second application server or service experience of the second application server.

Step 303: The first communications device sends the second analysis response, where the second analysis response includes the analysis result.

In this embodiment of this application, the second analysis response may be Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request response or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Notify.

Herein, after obtaining the second analysis response, the first communications device sends the second analysis response to the second communications device, so that the second communications device sends, based on the second analysis response, a second DNS response to the terminal, where the second DNS response includes the address of the optimal second application server, or the second DNS response includes the priority of each second application server.

According to the information processing method in this embodiment of this application, the first communications device receives the second analysis request; and analyzes the at least one second application server in the second analysis request, to obtain the analysis result, and sends the second analysis response carrying the analysis result to the second communications device, so that the second communications device can determine information related to the application server in the DNS response, such as the address or priority of the application server, and facilitating the terminal to quickly find the application server for DNS query.

Optionally, the analyzing, by the first communications device, the at least one second application server, to obtain an analysis result includes:

obtaining, by the first communications device, DNS query reference information, where the DNS query reference information includes at least one of address information of an application server or service experience information of the application server; and

analyzing, by the first communications device, the at least one second application server based on the DNS query reference information, to obtain an analysis result.

Optionally, before the obtaining, by the first communications device, DNS query reference information, further including:

sending, by the first communications device, a subscription request, where the subscription request is used for requesting to obtain the DNS query reference information.

In this embodiment of this application, the subscription request may be: Nsmf_EventExposure_Subscribe or Neasdf_EventExposure_Subscribe or Naf_EventExposure_Subscribe.

If a subscription object is the EASDF, the following parameters are included: Event ID=Service Experience information, Application ID, Event Filter information, Target of Event Reporting=Any UE

For example, the subscription request may be sent to the SMF, the EASDF, and the AF, so that the SMF, the EASDF, and the AF can return the DNS query reference information based on the subscription request.

Optionally, the DNS query reference information further includes at least one of:

address information of a DNS server;

a mapping relationship between the address information and a location of the DNS server;

a mapping relationship between an address of the DNS server and an ECS option; or

service experience information of the DNS server.

It should be noted that the address information in this embodiment of this application may include at least one of an IP address, an FQDN, or a uniform resource identifier (URI).

In this embodiment of this application, the NWDAF can assist the SMF to provide reference for the EASDF with necessary information (for the DNS query). When establishing DNS context for the UE, the SMF may send DNS handling rules to the EASDF at the same time, that is, the rules are to guide the EASDF how to handle it after receiving the DNS query or the DNS response (for example, should it be sent to C-DNS+ECS option or L-DNS after receiving the DNS query; and whether the DNS response result should be forwarded to the SMF after receiving the DNS response).

The following describes a learning process and an analysis output process of the NWDAF.

Learning Process:

The first is initial learning. That is, the SMF and the EASDF report information related to the DNS query to the NWDAF. The SMF and the EASDF may report relevant DNS query information to the NWDAF, and the NWDAF stores the information as DNS query reference information:

1. the EASDF and the SMF send C-DNS+ECS option, UE location information, DNN, S-NSSAL DNAI, UPF info, and the like to the NWDAF; and in this way, the NWDAF remembers C-DNS and ECS option corresponding to some UE locations, and maintains this mapping;

2. the EASDF and the SMF send L-DNS and UE location information, DNN, S-NSSAI, DNAL UPF info, and the like to the NWDAF; and in this way, the NWDAF remembers L-DNS corresponding to some UE locations, and maintains this mapping relationship; and

3. the EASDF and the SMF may send service experience information for querying each C-DNS or L-DNS to the NWDAF, such as a query time.

The foregoing process can be considered as a learning process of the NWDAF. The NWDAF records and learns C-DNS+ECS option and L-DNS at a specific location based on the DNS query sent by the UE at a specific location.

Analysis Output Process:

Output process: the SMF or the EASDF sends the DNS query and related information to the NWDAF, and the NWDAF analyzes and processes them based on previous learning experience or statistics.

1. The SMF or the EASDF sends a UE location, UPF information, DNAI, DNS server, and the like to the NWDAF in a manner of analysis request, and the NWDAF returns only an experience value of accessing the DNS server, that is, experience of accessing this DNS server (for example, service experience is 1); and the SMF or the EASDF may send the analysis request for several times to obtain experience of different DNS servers, and then the SMF and the EASDF decide a DNS server with best experience based on many times of analysis.

2. The SMF or the EASDF sends a UE location, UPF information, DNAI, multiple DNS server IP addresses, and the like to the NWDAF in a manner of analysis request, and the NWDAF feeds back an optimal DNS server from multiple DNS server addresses based on the analysis, that is, the NWDAF assists the SMF or the EASDF to select an optimal DNS server from multiple DNS servers. This DNS server has the best experience.

3. The SMF or the EASDF sends a UE location, UPF information, DNAI, DNS query, and the like to the NWDAF in a manner of analysis request, and the NWDAF feeds back C-DNS+ECS option or L-DNS based on these pieces of information; and it is equivalent to assisting the SMF to decide, based on the UE location, how to forward the DNS query, for example, forwarding to C-DNS or L-DNS.

4. The SMF or the EASDF sends a UE location, UPF information, DNAI, DNS query, and the like to the NWDAF in a manner of analysis request. In a case of C-DNS, because a query result corresponding to the C-DNS is relatively fixed, the NWDAF may directly provide, based on historical statistics or analysis, a parsed edge application server (EAS) IP to the SMF or the EASDF to respond to the DNS query. In this way, the SMF/EASDF directly replies the DNS response to the UE without sending the DNS query to the DNS server. Therefore, the UE location needs to be associated with the C-DNS.

Optionally, in this embodiment of this application, the NWDAF may further sort, based on the priority, addresses of multiple application servers fed back by the DNS response.

For example, in the current DNS mechanism, the DNS responses usually return multiple EAS IP results, that is, multiple server IP addresses are used as DNS responses, which is mainly for load balance. Then, the UE may randomly use one of the IP addresses as an IP connection. In this embodiment of this application, if the DNS response provides multiple EAS IP addresses, the NWDAF may sort these EAS IP addresses based on a record of previous UE communication or performance statistics, and provide a priority. For example, a history of EAS IP address 1 shows best performance, which can be fed back to a UE side.

According to the information processing method in this embodiment of this application, the first communications device can assist, based on the DNS query reference information, the second communications device to determine an application server with better performance to respond to the DNS query, so that the first communications device can be used to quickly match an appropriate application server.

As shown in FIG. 4, an embodiment of this application further provides an information processing method, including the following steps.

Step 401: A second communications device sends a first analysis request, where the first analysis request is used to request analysis of a first domain name system (DNS) query.

In this step, the second communications device sends the first analysis request to the first communications device, the second communications device is at least one of the SMF or the EASDF, and the first communications device is an NWDAF.

Optionally, the first analysis request includes at least one of:

a data network name;

single network slice selection assistance information;

user plane function information;

an edge application server discovery function;

a data network access identifier;

address information of the first application server;

address information of the first DNS server;

an IP address of a terminal; or

a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) in the first DNS query.

Step 402: The second communications device obtains a first analysis response.

The first analysis response is an analysis response returned by the first communications device based on the first analysis request.

The first analysis response includes at least one of:

related information of a first DNS server; or

related information of a first application server, where

the first DNS server is a DNS server corresponding to the first DNS query, and the first application server is an application server corresponding to the first DNS query.

According to the information processing method in this embodiment of this application, the second communications device sends a first analysis request, where the first analysis request is used to request analysis of a first domain name system (DNS) query; and the second communications device obtains a first analysis response returned by the first communications device based on the first analysis request, so that the second communications device can determine, based on the first analysis response, the DNS server or the application server corresponding to the first DNS query. In this way, with the assistance of the first communications device, the second communications device can quickly find the corresponding DNS server or application server.

It should be noted that the first analysis request in this embodiment of this application is the same as the first analysis request in the foregoing embodiment, and the first analysis response in this embodiment of this application is the same as the first analysis response in the foregoing embodiment. Details are not described herein again.

As an optional implementation, after the obtaining a first analysis response, further including:

determining the first DNS server based on the first analysis response; and

sending the first DNS query to the first DNS server.

Optionally, after the sending the first DNS query to the first DNS server, further including:

obtaining a first DNS response, where the first DNS response includes an address/addresses of at least one second application server;

sending a second analysis request based on the first DNS response, where the second analysis request carries an address/addresses of at least one second application server; and

obtaining a second analysis response, where the second analysis response includes an address of an optimal second application server, or the second analysis response includes at least one of a priority of each second application server or service experience of the second application server, where

the second analysis request is used for requesting at least one of:

obtaining service experience of the second application server in the first DNS response;

determining the optimal second application server among multiple second application servers in the first DNS response; or

determining a priority of each second application server.

The second analysis request in this embodiment of this application is the same as the second analysis request in the foregoing embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

Optionally, after the obtaining a second analysis response, further including:

sending a second DNS response, where the second DNS response includes the address of the optimal second application server, or the second DNS response includes the priority of each second application server.

In this implementation, after the first DNS server is determined, and the first DNS query is sent to the first DNS server, the first DNS response returned by the first DNS server is obtained, where the first DNS response includes an address/addresses of at least one second application server; and the second analysis request is sent to the first communications device based on the first DNS response, to request for obtaining service experience of the second applications server in the first DNS response, the optimal second application server is determined among multiple second application servers in the first DNS response, and/or the priority of each second application server is determined, and the second DNS response is sent based on the second analysis response.

As another optional implementation, after the obtaining a first analysis response, further including:

sending a third DNS response, where the third DNS response includes address information of the first application server.

This implementation is suitable for the case that the first DNS server is the C-DNS. Because the query result corresponding to the C-DNS is relatively fixed, the first application server in the first analysis request is directly provided as the terminal.

Optionally, the related information of the first DNS server includes: an address of a default DNS server of an edge application server discovery function (EASDF); or

the related information of the first DNS server includes at least one of an address of a local DNS server or service experience information of the local DNS server; or

Optionally, the related information of the first application server includes at least one of:

an address/addresses of at least one first application server;

a priority/priorities of at least one first application server; or

an address of a first application server recommended by the first communications device.

It should be noted that the related information of the first DNS server and the related information of the first application server have been described in the foregoing embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

As shown in FIG. 5, an embodiment of this application further provides an information processing method, including the following steps.

Step 501: A second communications device sends DNS query reference information.

The DNS query reference information includes at least one of:

address information of a DNS server;

address information of an application server;

a mapping relationship between the address information and a location of the DNS server;

a mapping relationship between an address of the DNS server and an ECS option;

service experience information of the DNS server; or

service experience information of the application server.

The DNS query reference information is sent by the second communications device based on the subscription request sent by the first communications device. The DNS query reference information has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiment, and will not be described herein again.

According to the information processing method in this embodiment of this application, the second communications device sends the DNS query reference information to the first communications device, so that the first communications device assists, based on the DNS query reference information, the second communications device to determine the server (at least one of the DNS server or the application server) corresponding to the first DNS query, thereby enabling the first communications device to quickly find a server with better performance.

As shown in FIG. 6, an embodiment of this application further provides an information processing method, including the following steps.

Step 601: A third communications device obtains a DNS response.

Step 602: The third communications device determines an accessed application server based on the DNS response.

The DNS response includes address information of a first application server, the first application server is an application server that is corresponding to a first DNS query and that is determined by a first communications device based on a first analysis request, and the first analysis request is used to request analysis of a first domain name system (DNS) query; or

In this embodiment of this application, the third communications device may be a terminal, and the DNS response may be the address information of the first application server returned by the first communications device, or the priority of each second application server or the address of the optimal second application server returned by the second communications device.

In this embodiment of this application, the third communications device obtains the DNS response, where the DNS response is obtained after the first communications device analyzes and processes the DNS query reference information based on the first analysis request or the second analysis request. In this way, with the assistance of the first communications device, it is convenient for the third communications device to quickly access a corresponding server.

As shown in FIG. 7, an embodiment of this application further provides an information processing method, including the following steps.

Step 701: A second communications device sends a DNS server address, where the DNS server address carries a mark.

The mark is used to indicate at least one of:

that the DNS server address is sent by an operator;

that the DNS server address is used for an edge computing scenario;

that the DNS server address is unable to be changed;

that the DNS server address is suitable for some applications;

that the DNS server address coexists with a DNS configuration of an original terminal;

that the DNS server address is invisible to a user or an application;

that the DNS server address is suitable for some areas or locations;

that the DNS server address is used for an application edge application that signs a contract with an operator;

that the DNS server address is used for an edge application;

that the DNS server address is used for a local data network; or

that the DNS server address is used for S-NSSAI.

The second communications device is at least one of the SMF or the EASDF.

According to the information processing method in this embodiment of this application, the second communications device sends the DNS server address and marks the DNS server address, thereby facilitating the third communications device to accurately learn of the related information of the DNS server address and make specific distinction.

As shown in FIG. 8, an embodiment of this application further provides an information processing method, including the following steps.

Step 801: A third communications device receives a DNS server address, where the DNS server address carries a mark, where

the mark is used to indicate at least one of:

that the DNS server address is sent by an operator;

that the DNS server address is used for an edge computing scenario;

that the DNS server address is unable to be changed;

that the DNS server address is suitable for some applications;

that the DNS server address coexists with a DNS configuration of an original terminal;

that the DNS server address is invisible to a user or an application;

that the DNS server address is suitable for some areas or locations;

that the DNS server address is used for an application edge application that signs a contract with an operator;

that the DNS server address is used for an edge application;

that the DNS server address is used for a local data network; or

that the DNS server address is used for S-NSSAI.

The third communications device may be a terminal.

According to the information processing method in this embodiment of this application, the third communications device receives the DNS server address, and can accurately learn of the related information of the DNS server address based on the mark of the DNS server address and make specific distinction.

The following describes the information processing method in this application with reference to embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 9, the following steps are included.

Step 901: The AF provides target information to the NWDAF, where the target information includes the ECS option and the DNS server address, or includes a mapping relationship between the ECS option and the DNS server address.

Step 902: The SMF selects an EASDF for the UE in a process of initiating a PDU session by the UE.

Step 903: The NWDAF sends a subscription request to the SMF, the EASDF and the AF.

The subscription request includes at least one of the following representations:

Nsmf_EventExposure_Subscribe or

Neasdf_EventExposure_Subscribe or

Naf_EventExposure_Subscribe.

The subscription request is used to collect the DNS query reference information from the SMF or the EASDF or the AF, such as experience of a DNS query; a DNS server or an ECS option used under a UE address; and a response of a DNS query, where the response includes an EAS IP address.

Step 904: The SMF, the EASDF, or the AF sends a subscription response to the NWDAF, where the subscription response includes the DNS query reference information.

Step 905: The SMF or the EASDF triggers an analysis request.

The analysis request is used to provide a default DNS server for the EASDF, and serves as a DNS default configuration.

For example, the analysis request is Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe.

Step 906: The NWDAF sends an analysis response.

For example, the analysis request is Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request response or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Notify.

The analysis response includes the address of the DNS server, and a DNS corresponding to the address of the DNS server is used as the default DNS server by the EASDF.

Step 907: The SMF configures the default DNS server for the EASDF.

Optionally, the default DNS server can be configured for the EASDF by using the following signaling:

Neasdf_DNSContext_Create; and

Neasdf_DNSContext_Update.

Step 908: The UE sends a DNS query request.

Step 909: After the EASDF receives the DNS query request, because the SMF has sent an FQDN-based processing method (DNS handling rule) for the EASDF, the EASDF can determine whether to send the DNS query request to the C-DNS or the L-DNS based on the FQDN, and then request the SMF to provide an address of a corresponding DNS server based on a determination result.

For example, when the DNS query request is sent to the C-DNS, it is requested to provide the address of the C-DNS and a corresponding ECS option, and when the DNS query request is sent to the L-DNS, it is requested to provide the address of the L-DNS.

Step 910: The SMF or the EASDF triggers an analysis request, and the analysis request is the foregoing first analysis request.

The analysis request is Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe.

Step 911: After analysis, or using parameters in the analysis request as a filter, the NWDAF queries from historical statistical data to obtain the analysis response, that is, the first analysis response.

The analysis response is Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request response or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Notify.

Step 9121: The SMF or the EASDF refers to the information provided by the NWDAF, then determines the corresponding DNS server and sends the DNS query request to the corresponding DNS server.

Step 9122: The EASDF directly sends the EAS IP address provided by the NWDAF to the UE as the DNS response, and jumps to step 918.

Step 9122 and step 9121 are in parallel.

Step 913: The DNS server sends the DNS response to the EASDF, and the DNS response may include multiple EAS IP addresses due to load balance.

Step 914: The EASDF or the SMF sends multiple EAS IP addresses in the DNS response to the NWDAF in a manner of analysis request, and requests the NWDAF to provide an analysis result, that is, to send the second analysis request.

Herein, the EASDF may directly send the second analysis request, or forward the DNS response to the SMF first, and the SMF sends the second analysis request.

The analysis request is Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe.

Step 915: After receiving the analysis request, the NWDAF analyzes multiple EAS IPs to find out which one has the best performance; or checks, based on the historical statistics or behavior analysis of the UE, or the statistical information in the NWDAF, which EAS IP has best communications performance. The EASDF or the SMF is replied by using an analyzing and response method, that is, sending the second analysis response.

The analysis response is Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request response or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Notify.

Step 916: The EASDF sends the DNS response to the UE, where the DNS response may indicate the optimal EAS IP if it includes multiple EASIP addresses.

Step 917: The UE initiates a service connection to a corresponding EAS based on the DNS response.

For example, after the UE receives the DNS response, if the response includes multiple EAS IPs, the UE can select an optimal IP address based on the priority of each address, and initiate a service connection.

It should be noted that, the information processing method provided in the embodiments of this application may be executed by an information processing apparatus, or a control module in the information processing apparatus for executing the information processing method. In the embodiments of this application, that the information processing apparatus performs the information processing method is used as an example to describe the information processing apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application.

As shown in FIG. 10, an embodiment of this application provides an information processing apparatus 1000, including:

a first receiving module 1001, configured to receive a first analysis request, where the first analysis request is used to request analysis of a first domain name system (DNS) query; and

a first sending module 1002, configured to send a first analysis response based on the first analysis request, where

the first analysis response includes at least one of:

related information of a first DNS server; or

related information of a first application server, where

the first DNS server is a DNS server corresponding to the first DNS query, and the first application server is an application server corresponding to the first DNS query.

Optionally, the apparatus in this embodiment of this application further includes:

a first obtaining module, configured to: before the first sending module sends the first analysis response, obtain DNS query reference information; and

a first determining module, configured to determine the first analysis response based on the DNS query reference information, where

the DNS query reference information includes at least one of:

address information of a DNS server;

address information of an application server;

a mapping relationship between the address information and a location of the DNS server;

a mapping relationship between an address of the DNS server and an evolved DNS client subnet option (ECS option);

service experience information of the DNS server; or

service experience information of the application server.

Optionally, the apparatus in this embodiment of this application further includes:

an eighth sending module, configured to send a subscription request, where the subscription request is used for requesting to obtain the DNS query reference information.