A resource allocation method, comprising: sending, by a first node, second indication information to a radio access network device, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that the first node has a capability of terminal device management; receiving, by the first node, first notification information, wherein the first notification information is used to indicate that the first node is used as the node responsible for terminal device management; receiving, by the first node, first resource information from the radio access network device, wherein the first resource information is used to indicate a first resource allocated to the first node, and the first resource is allocated by the radio access network device to the first node when the radio access network device determines, based on the second indication information, to use the first node as a node for terminal device management; and obtaining, by the first node, a second resource from the first resource, wherein the second resource is used for communication between the first node and a first terminal device, used for communication between a first terminal device and a second terminal device, or used for communication between the first node and a second node, the second resource is a part or all of the first resource, and both the first terminal device and the second terminal device are terminal devices that the first node is responsible for managing; wherein the first notification information is further used to indicate an area in which terminal devices that the first node is responsible for managing are located, and the first notification information comprises at least one of: a central location and a radius length; a central location, a length, and a width; a terminal device list; or an area identifier. sending, by a first node, second indication information to a radio access network device, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that the first node has a capability of terminal device management; receiving, by the first node, first notification information, wherein the first notification information is used to indicate that the first node is used as the node responsible for terminal device management; receiving, by the first node, first resource information from the radio access network device, wherein the first resource information is used to indicate a first resource allocated to the first node, and the first resource is allocated by the radio access network device to the first node when the radio access network device determines, based on the second indication information, to use the first node as a node for terminal device management; and obtaining, by the first node, a second resource from the first resource, wherein the second resource is used for communication between the first node and a first terminal device, used for communication between a first terminal device and a second terminal device, or used for communication between the first node and a second node, the second resource is a part or all of the first resource, and both the first terminal device and the second terminal device are terminal devices that the first node is responsible for managing; wherein the first notification information is further used to indicate an area in which terminal devices that the first node is responsible for managing are located, and the first notification information comprises at least one of: a central location and a radius length; a central location, a length, and a width; a terminal device list; or an area identifier.