Patent Description:
With development of the Internet, users have higher requirements on network quality. Network providers need tools and methods for measuring networks to monitor the networks and control network quality to meet user needs. Currently, network adjustment is performed on a data plane, to provide network repair requirements, but a congestion status of a network path needs to be sensed at a millisecond level, so as to adjust traffic to reduce packet loss. The document <CIT> shows a packet control method and an according network device. Especially, the document shows methods to detect congestions situations related to data flows and to provide the information about the congestion status via an isolation message. The document <CIT> shows network-friendly transmission control protocol methods, and according apparatuses and articles of manufacture. The document <CIT> shows a system and method for traffic flow monitoring in communication networks. The state of the art shows a sub-optimal congestion monitoring. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved congestion monitoring.

This application provides a congestion measurement method and a network node, to improve congestion measurement accuracy, so as to meet adjustment requirements on a data plane.

For ease of understanding of embodiments of this application, the following descriptions are first provided before the embodiments of this application are described.

First, in the embodiments of this application, an "indication" may include a direct indication and an indirect indication, or may include an explicit indication and an implicit indication. Information indicated by a piece of information (for example, first indication information described below) is referred to as to-be-indicated information. In a specific implementation process, the to-be-indicated information may be indicated in a plurality of manners, for example, but not limited to, a manner of directly indicating the to-be-indicated information. For example, the to-be-indicated information is indicated by using the to-be-indicated information or an index of the to-be-indicated information. Alternatively, the to-be-indicated information may be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, and there is an association relationship between the other information and the to-be-indicated information. Alternatively, only a part of the to-be-indicated information may be indicated, and the other part of the to-be-indicated information is already known or pre-agreed on. For example, specific information may alternatively be indicated by using an arrangement sequence of a plurality of pieces of information that is pre-agreed on (for example, stipulated in a protocol), to reduce indication overheads to some extent.

Second, the terms "first", "second", and various numbers in the following embodiments are merely used for differentiation for ease of description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, the terms are used to distinguish between different packets.

Third, "protocol" in the embodiments of this application may be a standard protocol in the communication field, for example, including an LTE protocol, an NR protocol, and a related protocol applied to a future communication system. This is not limited in this application.

Fourth, "a plurality of" in the embodiments of this application means two or more. "One or more of the following items (pieces)" or a similar expression thereof refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of singular items (pieces) or plural items (pieces). For example, "at least one or more of a, b, and c" may indicate a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

Fifth, the "timestamp" in the embodiments of this application is at least accurate to milliseconds. In other words, the "timestamp" may be × year × month × day × hour × minute × second × millisecond, for example, <NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM><NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>. Alternatively, the "timestamp" may be × year × month × day × hour × minute × second × millisecond × microsecond, for example, <NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM><NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>.

Sixth, the "moment" in the embodiments of this application is at least accurate to milliseconds. In other words, the "moment" may be × year × month × day × hour × minute × second × millisecond, for example, <NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM><NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>. Alternatively, the "moment" may be × year × month × day × hour × minute × second × millisecond × microsecond, for example, <NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM><NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of forwarding an SRv6 packet. A network <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes nodes <NUM> to <NUM>, an enterprise <NUM>, a home broadband <NUM>, and a base station <NUM>. The node may be a router device. The enterprise <NUM>, the home broadband <NUM>, and the base station <NUM> are separately connected to corresponding nodes, to implement packet forwarding.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a moment at which two network nodes send a packet on a single path. A second network node may be a source (which may be understood as a transmit end), and a first network node may be a sink (which may be understood as a receive end). The second network node continuously sends measurement packets to the first network node at an equal time interval ti. For example, the second network node sends four measurement packets. The second network node sends a first measurement packet at a moment t<NUM>, and the first network node receives the first measurement packet at a moment t<NUM>. The second network node sends a second measurement packet at a moment t<NUM>, and the first network node receives the second measurement packet at a moment t<NUM>. The second network node sends a third measurement packet at a moment t<NUM>, and the first network node receives the third measurement packet at a moment t<NUM>. The second network node sends a fourth measurement packet at a moment t<NUM>, and the first network node receives the fourth measurement packet at a moment t<NUM>. A time interval between t<NUM> and t<NUM> is ti, a time interval between t<NUM> and t<NUM> is ti, and a time interval between t<NUM> and t<NUM> is ti. The first network node generates a first statistics packet corresponding to the first measurement packet in a time interval between t<NUM> and t<NUM>. The first network node generates a second statistics packet corresponding to the second measurement packet in a time interval between t<NUM> and t<NUM>. The first network node generates a third statistics packet corresponding to the third measurement packet in a time interval between t<NUM> and t<NUM>. Because congestion statuses of paths continuously change, the time interval between t<NUM> and t<NUM>, the time interval between t<NUM> and t<NUM>, and the time interval between t<NUM> and t<NUM> may not be equal. Therefore, congestion measurement cannot be performed in real time, and adjustment requirements on a data plane cannot be met.

Therefore, it is urgent to provide a method that can meet adjustment requirements on a data plane.

The following describes in detail the method provided in the embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following shown embodiments, optionally, the first network node and the second network node may be router devices.

In the following, the embodiments of this application are described in detail by using an example of interaction between the first network node and the second network node. <FIG> is a schematic flowchart of a congestion measurement method <NUM> according to an embodiment of this application from a perspective of interaction between the first network node and the second network node. As shown in <FIG>, the method <NUM> may include step <NUM> to step <NUM>. The following describes the steps in the method <NUM> in detail.

The method is performed in a communication system including the first network node and the second network node. The method may be used in congestion measurement of one path between the first network node and the second network node. The path may be understood as any of a plurality of paths configured for one tunnel between the first network node and the second network node.

Step <NUM>: The first network node sets, as a first time interval, a time interval at which the first network node collects statistics about a congestion status.

The first time interval is a time interval at which the second network node sends two neighboring delimitation packets.

In network measurement, a data packet is used as an observation sample, and two measurement packets are inserted into data traffic to bound a scope of the observation sample. The two measurement packets are delimitation packets. The delimitation packets are used to indicate that a time period in which the second network node collects statistics about the congestion status corresponds to a time period in which the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the second network node sends a <NUM>st delimitation packet at a moment t<NUM>, and the second network node sends a <NUM>nd delimitation packet at a moment t<NUM>. The first network node receives the <NUM>st delimitation packet at a moment t<NUM>, and the first network node receives the <NUM>nd delimitation packet at a moment t<NUM>. A data packet used by the second network node as an observation sample is a data packet sent by the second network node in a time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>. Correspondingly, a data packet that is used by the first network node as an observation sample and that corresponds to the data packet used by the second network node as an observation sample is a data packet received by the first network node in a time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

The delimitation packet may be understood as a protocol packet. The delimitation packet may also be understood as a packet formed after a data packet is colored and is different from the data packet. When receiving a packet, the first network node may determine, by using a packet type indicated in a field in the packet, whether the received packet is a delimitation packet, a data packet, or a packet of another type.

The first network node may set, in the following two manners, the time interval at which the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status.

The first network node receives a setting packet sent by the second network node. The setting packet is used to indicate the time interval at which the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status, and the setting packet includes the first time interval.

That the setting packet includes the first time interval may be understood as that the time interval that is indicated in the setting packet and at which the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status is the first time interval.

The first network node sets, as the first time interval based on the setting packet, the time interval at which the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status. For example, the first time interval included in the setting packet may be <NUM>, and the first network node sets, as <NUM> based on the setting packet, the time interval at which the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status. For another example, the first time interval included in the setting packet may be <NUM>, and the first network node sets, as <NUM> based on the setting packet, the time interval at which the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status.

Optionally, that the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status at the time interval may be understood as that the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status of the first network node once every time interval. For example, when the first time interval is <NUM>, the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status of the first network node once every <NUM>. For another example, when the first time interval is <NUM>, the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status of the first network node once every <NUM>.

For example, a form of the setting packet may be shown in <FIG>. The setting packet may include a packet type (Control Code) field, a tunnel identifier (Session id) path identifier (Path ID) field, and a statistics collection interval time (Interval time) field. In the packet type field, when the packet type field indicates <NUM>, the packet is a setting packet; and when the packet type field indicates <NUM>, the packet is an acknowledgment packet. The tunnel identifier path identifier field indicates an identifier of a tunnel path that needs to be measured. The statistics collection interval time field indicates a time interval (for example, the first time interval) at which the first network node performs statistics collection, a statistics collection interval time may occupy <NUM> bits, a unit of the statistics collection interval time is milliseconds (ms), and the packet type field indicates <NUM>. The setting packet may further include two reserved (Reserve) fields.

The time interval at which the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status is stipulated in a communication protocol, and it is stipulated that the time interval at which the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status is the first time interval.

The first network node sets, as the first time interval according to stipulations in the communication protocol, the time interval at which the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status. For example, the first time interval stipulated in the communication protocol may be <NUM>, and the first network node sets, as <NUM> based on the first time interval stipulated in the communication protocol, the time interval at which the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status. For another example, the first time interval stipulated in the communication protocol may be <NUM>, and the first network node sets, as <NUM> based on the first time interval stipulated in the communication protocol, the time interval at which the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status.

After the first network node has set the time interval at which the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status, step <NUM> may be performed.

Step <NUM>: The second network node receives an acknowledgment packet sent by the first network node, where the acknowledgment packet is used to indicate that the first network node has set the time interval at which the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status.

For example, a form of the acknowledgment packet may be shown in <FIG>. The acknowledgment packet may include a packet type field, a tunnel identifier path identifier field, a statistics collection interval time field, and an accept (Accept) field, and the acknowledgment packet may further include a reserved field. The accept field is used to indicate a setting result part in the acknowledgment packet. If the first network node succeeds in setting based on the setting packet, the accept field indicates <NUM>. If the first network node fails in setting based on the setting packet, the accept field indicates <NUM>, and the packet type field indicates <NUM>.

When the accept field in the acknowledgment packet indicates <NUM>, the second network node starts to perform a measurement operation, that is, perform step <NUM>.

Step <NUM>: The second network node sends a first delimitation packet, where the first delimitation packet includes a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to indicate a moment at which the second network node sends the first delimitation packet. Correspondingly, the first network node receives the first delimitation packet.

Optionally, the moment at which the second network node sends the first delimitation packet may be a second moment, and a moment at which the first network node receives the first delimitation packet is a first moment. The first moment is later than the second moment. That the first identifier is used to indicate the moment at which the second network node sends the first delimitation packet may be understood as that the first identifier is used to indicate the second moment.

Optionally, when sending the first delimitation packet, the second network node records the first identifier, includes the first identifier in the first delimitation packet, and sends the first delimitation packet to the first network node.

Optionally, the first identifier may be a first timestamp. The first timestamp is used to indicate the moment at which the second network node sends the first delimitation packet, that is, the first timestamp is used to indicate the second moment.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the second network node sends the first delimitation packet at a moment t<NUM>, and the first network node receives the first delimitation packet at a moment t<NUM>. Therefore, the second moment may be the moment t<NUM>, the first moment may be the moment t<NUM>, and the moment t<NUM> is earlier than the moment t<NUM>.

Optionally, after receiving the first delimitation packet, the first network node records a third identifier. The third identifier is used to indicate the moment at which the first network node receives the first delimitation packet, that is, the first moment.

The third identifier may be a third timestamp. The third timestamp is used to indicate the moment at which the first network node receives the first delimitation packet. In other words, the third timestamp is the first moment.

Step <NUM>: The first network node collects, based on the first delimitation packet, statistics about the congestion status of the first network node in the first time interval by using the first time interval as a periodicity, where the first time interval is a time interval at which the second network node sends two neighboring delimitation packets.

Optionally, when starting to collect statistics about the congestion status in the first time interval, the first network node records an identifier. The identifier is used to indicate a moment at which the first network node starts statistics collection. The identifier may be a timestamp.

Optionally, that the first network node collects, based on the first delimitation packet, statistics about the congestion status of the first network node in the first time interval by using the first time interval as a periodicity may be understood as that after receiving the first delimitation packet, the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status of the first network node in a corresponding first time interval once every first time interval.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the first network node receives the first delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>, and collects statistics about the congestion status in the first time interval based on the first delimitation packet. The first time interval is ti, that is, the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status of the first network node once every first time interval ti starting from the moment t<NUM>.

The congestion status of the first network node in the first time interval may be understood as a receiving rate of the first network node in the first time interval. Alternatively, the congestion status of the first network node in the first time interval may be understood as a quantity of data packets that are received by the first network node in the first time interval.

Step <NUM>: The second network node sends a second delimitation packet, where the second delimitation packet includes a second identifier, and the second identifier is used to indicate a moment at which the second network node sends the second delimitation packet; the second delimitation packet and the first delimitation packet are two neighboring delimitation packets; and a time interval at which the second network node sends the two neighboring delimitation packets is the first time interval. Correspondingly, the first network node receives the second delimitation packet at a third moment. A time interval between the third moment and the first moment is greater than the first time interval, and the first moment is the moment at which the first network node receives the first delimitation packet.

Optionally, when sending the second delimitation packet, the second network node records the second identifier, includes the second identifier in the second delimitation packet, and sends the second delimitation packet to the first network node.

Optionally, the moment at which the second network node sends the second delimitation packet may be a fourth moment.

Optionally, the second identifier may be a second timestamp. The second timestamp is used to indicate the moment at which the second network node sends the second delimitation packet, that is, the second timestamp is used to indicate the fourth moment.

That the second delimitation packet and the first delimitation packet are two neighboring delimitation packets may be understood as that the second network node respectively sends the first delimitation packet and the second delimitation packet to the first network node at moments whose difference is the first time interval, and the second network node does not send another delimitation packet in the first time interval; or that the second delimitation packet and the first delimitation packet are two neighboring delimitation packets may be understood as that the first network node respectively receives, at moments whose difference is the first time interval, the first delimitation packet and the second delimitation packet that are sent by the second network node, and the first network node does not receive another delimitation packet in the first time interval.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the second network node sends the first delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>, and the first network node receives the first delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>. The second network node sends the second delimitation packet at a moment t<NUM>, and the first network node receives the second delimitation packet at a moment t<NUM>. The fourth moment may be the moment t<NUM>, the third moment may be the moment t<NUM>, the moment t<NUM> is earlier than the moment t<NUM>, the first time interval is ti, and a time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> is greater than ti.

Step <NUM>: The first network node sends a first-type statistics packet to the second network node by using the first time interval as a periodicity, where the first-type statistics packet includes the first identifier, and the first-type statistics packet is used to indicate the congestion status of the first network node in the first time interval. Correspondingly, the second network node receives, by using the first time interval as a periodicity, the first-type statistics packet sent by the first network node.

Optionally, that the first network node sends a first-type statistics packet to the second network node by using the first time interval as a periodicity may be understood as that the first network node sends the first-type statistics packet to the second network node by using the first moment as a start moment and by using the first time interval as a periodicity. In other words, a moment at which the first network node sends the first-type statistics packet may be Ti=t<NUM>+Nti. t<NUM> is the moment at which the first network node receives the first delimitation packet, that is, the first moment, N is a positive integer, and ti is the first time interval.

For example, a form of the statistics packet is shown in <FIG>. The statistics packet may include two parts: a packet header (Header) and data (Data). The packet header may include a tunnel identifier path identifier field, a data-area-stored data type (Path-E2E-Type) field, a packet type (Flags) field, and a transaction number (Transaction ID) field. The tunnel identifier path identifier field is used to indicate an identifier of a path about which the first network node collects statistics. In the data-area-stored data type field, for example, data-area-stored data may be a timestamp and/or a quantity of packets. The timestamp may be indicated by using Bit <NUM>, and the timestamp may be understood as two moments, that is, a start moment and an end moment. The quantity of packets may be indicated by using Bit <NUM>, and the quantity of packets may be a quantity of packets between the start moment and the end moment. The data-area-stored data type field may store a plurality of fields. In the packet type (Flags) field, when the packet type field is indicated by using Bit <NUM>, the type of a packet is a statistics packet. When the packet type field is indicated by using Bit <NUM>, the type of a packet is a result packet, and other fields are temporarily reserved. One transaction number is generated each time statistics are collected. The transaction number may be understood as for which time statistics are collected. In the data part, a data type indicated by the data-area-stored data type may be a timestamp and/or a quantity of packets, for example, may be the first moment, the second moment, or a quantity of packets that are received by the first network node in a time interval between the first moment and a moment at which the first network node sends a statistics packet.

Optionally, the first-type statistics packet includes a first receiving rate of the first network node in the first time interval. Alternatively, the first-type statistics packet includes the third identifier, a fourth identifier, and a quantity of data packets that are received by the first network node, where statistics about the quantity of data packets are collected by the first network node, the third identifier is used to indicate the moment at which the first network node receives the first delimitation packet, and the fourth identifier is used to indicate a moment at which the first network node sends the first-type statistics packet.

The quantity, included in the first-type statistics packet, of the data packets that are received by the first network node may be understood as a quantity of data packets that are received by the first network node in a time interval between the first moment and the moment at which the first network node sends the first-type statistics packet.

Optionally, when sending the first-type statistics packet, the first network node records the fourth identifier and includes the fourth identifier in the first-type statistics packet. The first network node also includes the first identifier in the first delimitation packet and the third identifier recorded in the first network node together in the first-type statistics packet, and sends the first-type statistics packet to the second network node.

Optionally, the fourth identifier may be a fourth timestamp. The fourth timestamp is used to indicate the moment at which the first network node sends the first-type statistics packet.

Optionally, the fourth identifier includes the moment at which the first network node sends the first-type statistics packet.

As shown in <FIG>, the second network node sends a first delimitation packet at a moment t<NUM>, and sends a second delimitation packet at a moment t<NUM>. A time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> is a first time interval ti. The first network node receives the first delimitation packet at a moment t<NUM>, and receives the second delimitation packet at a moment t<NUM>. A time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> is two first time intervals. For example, the first-type statistics packet may include a first receiving rate of the first network node in the time interval ti between the moment t<NUM> and a moment t<NUM> ((t<NUM>+ti)); or the first-type statistics packet includes the moment t<NUM>, the moment t<NUM>, the moment t<NUM>, and a quantity of data packets that are received by the first network node in a time interval (a <NUM>st ti) between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>. For another example, the first-type statistics packet may further include a first receiving rate of the first network node in the time interval ti between the moment t<NUM> and a moment t<NUM> ((t<NUM> + 2ti)); or the first-type statistics packet includes the moment t<NUM>, the moment t<NUM>, the moment t<NUM>, and a quantity of data packets that are received by the first network node in a time interval (a <NUM>nd ti) between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

Step <NUM>: The second network node collects statistics about first data based on the first delimitation packet and the second delimitation packet, where the first data is used to indicate a congestion status in the first time interval.

Optionally, the first data may be a first sending rate in a time interval between the second moment and the fourth moment; or the first data is a quantity of data packets that are sent by the second network node in the time interval between the second moment and the fourth moment.

As shown in <FIG>, the second network node sends the first delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>, and the second network node sends the second delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>. In other words, the second moment is the moment t<NUM>, and the fourth moment is the moment t<NUM>. The first data is the congestion status of the second network node in the first time interval ti between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>. The first data may be a first sending rate of the second network node in the first time interval ti between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>; or the first data may be a quantity of data packets that are sent by the second network node in the first time interval ti between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

Optionally, a time interval between the moment at which the first network node receives the first delimitation packet and the moment at which the first network node receives the second delimitation packet may be an integer multiple of the first time interval, For example, as shown in <FIG>, the time interval between the moment at which the first network node receives the first delimitation packet and the moment at which the first network node receives the second delimitation packet is twice the first time interval. The time interval between the moment at which the first network node receives the first delimitation packet and the moment at which the first network node receives the second delimitation packet may not be an integer multiple of the first time interval, For example, as shown in <FIG>, the time interval between the moment at which the first network node receives the first delimitation packet and the moment at which the first network node receives the second delimitation packet is <NUM> times the first time interval. This is not limited in this application.

Step <NUM>: The second network node obtains a first congestion degree based on the first data and the first-type statistics packet, where the first congestion degree is used to indicate a congestion degree in the first time interval.

Optionally, after receiving the first-type statistics packet, the second network node may determine, based on the first identifier in the first-type statistics packet, that the first-type statistics packet sent by the first network node corresponds to the first data about which the second network node collects statistics. In other words, the second network node needs to obtain the first congestion degree based on the first data and the first-type statistics packet. The first congestion degree is used to indicate the congestion degree in the first time interval.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the first congestion degree may be a congestion degree of a corresponding path in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>. For another example, as shown in <FIG>, the first congestion degree may be a congestion degree of a corresponding path in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

Optionally, the second network node may obtain a first congestion degree J<NUM> based on the following formula: <MAT> where a is the quantity of data packets that are received by the first network node in the first time interval, b is the quantity of data packets that are sent by the second network node in the time interval between the second moment and the fourth moment, and ti is the first time interval.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, a may be a quantity of data packets that are received by the first network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>; or a may be a quantity of data packets that are received by the first network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, b may be a quantity of data packets that are sent by the second network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

Optionally, the second network node may obtain a first congestion degree J<NUM> based on the following formula: <MAT> where v<NUM> is the first receiving rate of the first network node in the first time interval, and v<NUM> is the first sending rate of the second network node in the time interval between the second moment and the fourth moment.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, v<NUM> may be the first receiving rate of the first network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>; or a may be the first receiving rate of the first network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, v<NUM> may be the first sending rate of the second network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

Optionally, when the third moment and a start moment or an end moment of the first time interval do not overlap, the second network node further needs to perform step <NUM> to step <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the first moment may be t<NUM>, the second moment may be t<NUM>, the third moment may be t<NUM>, and the fourth moment may be t<NUM>. When t<NUM> and an end moment of <NUM>nd ti after the moment t<NUM> at which the first network node receives the first delimitation packet do not overlap, step <NUM> to step <NUM> further need to be performed.

Step <NUM>: The second network node receives a second-type statistics packet sent by the first network node, where the second-type statistics packet includes the first identifier, and the second-type statistics packet is used to indicate a congestion status of the first network node in a time interval between the third moment and the start moment of the first time interval in which the third moment is located. Correspondingly, the first network node sends the second-type statistics packet to the second network node at the third moment.

Optionally, the second-type statistics packet includes a second receiving rate of the first network node in the time interval between the third moment and the start moment of the first time interval in which the third moment is located. Alternatively, the second-type statistics packet includes a fifth identifier, a sixth identifier, and the quantity of data packets that are received by the first network node, where statistics about the quantity of data packets are collected by the first network node, the fifth identifier is used to indicate the start moment of the first time interval in which the third moment is located, the sixth identifier is used to indicate the third moment, and the third moment is the moment at which the first network node receives the second delimitation packet.

Optionally, when sending the second-type statistics packet, the first network node records the sixth identifier and includes the sixth identifier in the second-type statistics packet. The first network node also includes the first identifier in the first delimitation packet and the fifth identifier recorded in the first network node together in the first-type statistics packet, and sends the first-type statistics packet to the second network node.

Optionally, the fifth identifier may be a fifth timestamp. The fifth timestamp is used to indicate the start moment of the first time interval in which third moment is located.

Optionally, the sixth identifier may be a sixth timestamp. The sixth timestamp is used to indicate the third moment.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the second network node sends the first delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>, and sends the second delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>. The time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> is the first time interval ti. The first network node receives the first delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>, and receives the second delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>. The time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> is <NUM> times the first time interval. In other words, the moment t<NUM> and an end moment (a moment t<NUM>) of a <NUM>nd first time interval do not overlap, and the first network node needs to send the second-type statistics packet to the second network node at the moment t<NUM>. The second-type statistics packet includes the second receiving rate of the first network node in a time interval between a moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>; or the second-type statistics packet includes the moment t<NUM>, the moment t<NUM>, the moment t<NUM>, and the quantity of data packets that are received by the first network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>, where statistics about the quantity of data packets are collected by the first network node.

Step <NUM>: The second network node obtains a second congestion degree based on the first data and the second-type statistics packet, where the second congestion degree is used to indicate a congestion degree in the time interval between the third moment and the start moment of the first time interval in which the third moment is located.

Optionally, after receiving the second-type statistics packet, the second network node may determine, based on the first identifier in the second-type statistics packet, that the second-type statistics packet sent by the first network node corresponds to the first data about which the second network node collects statistics. In other words, the second network node needs to obtain the second congestion degree based on the first data and the second-type statistics packet.

As shown in <FIG>, the second congestion degree may be a congestion degree of a corresponding path in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

Optionally, the second network node may obtain a second congestion degree J<NUM> based on the following formula: <MAT> where c is a quantity of data packets that are received by the first network node in the time interval between the third moment and the start moment of the first time interval in which the third moment is located, and Δt is the time interval between the third moment and the start moment of the first time interval in which the third moment is located.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, c may be a quantity of data packets that are received by the first network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, Δt may be the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

Optionally, the second network node may obtain a second congestion degree J<NUM> based on the following formula: <MAT> where v<NUM> is the second receiving rate of the first network node in the time interval between the third moment and the start moment of the first time interval in which the third moment is located.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, v<NUM> may be the second receiving rate of the first network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

Step <NUM>: The second network node receives a third-type statistics packet that is sent by the first network node at the end moment of the first time interval in which the third moment is located, where the third-type statistics packet includes the second identifier, and the third-type statistics packet is used to indicate the congestion status of the first network node in the time interval between the third moment and the end moment of the first time interval in which the third moment is located. Correspondingly, the first network node collects statistics about the congestion status in the time interval between the third moment and the end moment of the first time interval in which the third moment is located, and sends the third-type statistics packet to the second network node at the end moment of the first time interval in which the third moment is located.

Optionally, the third-type statistics packet includes a third receiving rate of the first network node in the time interval between the third moment and the end moment of the first time interval in which the third moment is located. Alternatively, the third-type statistics packet includes the sixth identifier, a seventh identifier, and the quantity of data packets that are received by the first network node, where statistics about the quantity of data packets are collected by the first network node, and the seventh identifier is used to indicate the end moment of the first time interval in which the third moment is located.

Optionally, when sending the third-type statistics packet, the first network node records the seventh identifier and includes the seventh identifier in the third-type statistics packet. The first network node also includes the first identifier in the first delimitation packet and the sixth identifier recorded in the first network node together in the third-type statistics packet, and sends the third-type statistics packet to the second network node.

Optionally, the seventh identifier may be a seventh timestamp. The seventh timestamp is used to indicate the end moment of the first time interval in which third moment is located.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the second network node sends the first delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>, and sends the second delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>. The time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> is the first time interval ti. The first network node receives the first delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>, and receives the second delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>. The time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> is <NUM> times the first time interval. In other words, the moment t<NUM> and an end moment (a moment t<NUM>) of a <NUM>nd first time interval do not overlap, and the first network node needs to send the third-type statistics packet to the second network node at the moment t<NUM>. The third-type statistics packet includes the third receiving rate of the first network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>; or the third-type statistics packet includes the moment t<NUM>, the moment t<NUM>, the moment t<NUM>, and the quantity of data packets that are received by the first network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>, where statistics about the quantity of data packets are collected by the first network node.

Step <NUM>: The second network node collects statistics about second data, where the second data is used to indicate a congestion status in a time interval between the fourth moment and the fifth moment, the time interval between the fifth moment and the fourth moment is the first time interval, and the fifth moment is later than the fourth moment.

Optionally, the second data is a second sending rate in the time interval between the fourth moment and the fifth moment; or the second data is a quantity of data packets that are sent by the second network node in the time interval between the fourth moment and the fifth moment.

As shown in <FIG>, the second data is a congestion status of the second network node in the first time interval ti between the moment t<NUM> and a moment t<NUM>. The second data may be a first sending rate of the second network node in the first time interval ti between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>; or the first data may be a quantity of data packets that are sent by the second network node in the first time interval ti between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

Step <NUM>: The second network node obtains a third congestion degree based on the second data and the third-type statistics packet, where the third congestion degree is used to indicate a congestion degree in the time interval between the third moment and the end moment of the first time interval in which the third moment is located.

Optionally, after receiving the third-type statistics packet, the second network node may determine, based on the second identifier in the third-type statistics packet, that the third-type statistics packet sent by the first network node corresponds to the second data about which the second network node collects statistics. In other words, the second network node needs to obtain the third congestion degree based on the second data and the third-type statistics packet.

As shown in <FIG>, the third congestion degree may be a congestion degree of a corresponding path in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

Optionally, the second network node may obtain a third congestion degree J<NUM> based on the following formula: <MAT> where e is a quantity of data packets that are received by the first network node in the time interval between the third moment and the end moment of the first time interval in which the third moment is located, and d is the quantity of data packets that are sent by the second network node in the time interval between the fourth moment and the fifth moment.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, e may be a quantity of data packets that are received by the first network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, d may be a quantity of data packets that are sent by the second network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

Optionally, the second network node may obtain a third congestion degree J<NUM> based on the following formula: <MAT> where v<NUM> is a third receiving rate of the first network node in the time interval between the third moment and the end moment of the first time interval in which the third moment is located, and v<NUM> is a second sending rate of the second network node in the time interval between the fourth moment and the fifth moment.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, v<NUM> may be the third receiving rate of the first network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, v<NUM> may be the second sending rate of the second network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>.

Step <NUM>: The second network node obtains a fourth congestion degree based on the second congestion degree and the third congestion degree, where the fourth congestion degree is used to indicate a congestion degree in the first time interval in which the third moment is located.

Optionally, the second network node may determine an average value of the second congestion degree and the third congestion degree as the fourth congestion degree.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the second network node sends a delimitation packet to the first network node at the stipulated first time interval. In other words, the second network node sends the first delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>, and the first network node receives the first delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>. The second network node sends the second delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>, and the first network node receives the second delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>. The second network node sends a third delimitation packet at the moment t<NUM>, and the first network node receives the third delimitation packet at a moment t<NUM>. The second network node sends a fourth delimitation packet at a moment t<NUM>, and the first network node receives the fourth delimitation packet at a moment t<NUM>. A time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> is the first time interval ti, a time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> is the first time interval ti, and a time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> is the first time interval ti. <NUM> first time intervals ti are included between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>, and the second network node determines a final congestion degree between t<NUM> and t<NUM> based on a congestion degree between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> and a congestion degree between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>. Because <NUM> is not a positive integer, the second network node determines a congestion status in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> in the following manner. First, the first network node needs to send a congestion status of the first network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> to the second network node at the moment t<NUM>. The second network node determines a final congestion status in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> based on a congestion status between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> and a congestion status of the first network node between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>. Second, the first network node needs to send the congestion status of the first network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> to the second network node at the moment t<NUM>, and the second network node determines a final congestion status in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> based on a congestion status of the first network node in the time interval between the moment t<NUM>and the moment t<NUM> and a congestion status of the second network node between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>. Finally, the final congestion status in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> and the final congestion status in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM> are determined as the congestion status in the time interval between the moment t<NUM> and the moment t<NUM>. Therefore, congestion measurement accuracy is improved. In addition, the second network node may obtain a congestion status of a path between the first network node and the second network node at an equal time interval, to meet adjustment requirements on a data plane.

The method <NUM> may further include step <NUM>.

Step <NUM>: The second network node adjusts, based on the determined congestion degrees in the time intervals, traffic proportions shared on a plurality of paths in a tunnel between the first network node and the second network node.

It should be understood that sequence numbers of the foregoing processes do not mean an execution sequence in the embodiments of this application. The execution sequence of the processes should be determined based on functions and internal logic of the processes, and should not be construed as any limitation on the implementation processes of the embodiments of this application.

The congestion measurement method in the embodiments of this application is described in detail above with reference to <FIG>. The apparatus in the embodiments of this application is described in detail below with reference to <FIG>.

An embodiment of this application provides a network node. The following describes a structure and a function of the network node with reference to <FIG> is a schematic block diagram of a network node <NUM> according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in <FIG>, the network node <NUM> includes a receiver <NUM> and a transmitter <NUM>. Optionally, the network node <NUM> further includes a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The receiver <NUM>, the transmitter <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, and the memory <NUM> communicate with each other through an inner connection path, to transfer a control signal and/or a data signal. The memory <NUM> is configured to store a computer program. The processor <NUM> is configured to invoke the computer program from the memory <NUM> and run the computer program, to control the receiver <NUM> to receive a signal, and control the transmitter <NUM> to send a signal. When the program stored in the memory <NUM> is executed by the processor <NUM>, the receiver <NUM> is configured to receive a first delimitation packet, where the first delimitation packet includes a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to indicate a moment at which a second network node sends the first delimitation packet.

The processor <NUM> is configured to collect, based on the first delimitation packet, statistics about a congestion status of a first network node by using a first time interval as a periodicity, where the first time interval is a time interval at which the second network node sends two neighboring delimitation packets.

The transmitter <NUM> is configured to send a first-type statistics packet to the second network node by using the first time interval as a periodicity, where the first-type statistics packet includes the first identifier, and the first-type statistics packet is used to indicate the congestion status of the first network node in the first time interval.

The processor <NUM> and the memory <NUM> may be combined into a processing apparatus. The processor <NUM> is configured to execute program code stored in the memory <NUM>, to implement the foregoing functions. In a specific implementation, the memory <NUM> may alternatively be integrated into the processor <NUM>, or independent of the processor <NUM>.

It should be understood that the network node <NUM> may correspond to the first network node in the congestion measurement method <NUM> in the network according to the embodiments of the present invention, and the network node <NUM> may include modules configured to perform the method performed by the first network node in the congestion measurement method <NUM> in the network in <FIG>. In addition, the modules in the network node <NUM> and the foregoing other operations and/or functions are respectively intended to implement corresponding procedures of the congestion measurement method <NUM> in the network in <FIG>. For a specific process of the foregoing corresponding steps performed by the units, refer to the foregoing description of the method embodiment in <FIG>. For brevity, details are not described herein again.

An embodiment of this application further provides a network node. The following describes a structure and a function of the network node with reference to <FIG> is another schematic block diagram of a network node <NUM> according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in <FIG>, the network node <NUM> includes a receiving module <NUM>, a sending module <NUM>, and a processing module <NUM>.

The receiving module <NUM>, the sending module <NUM>, and the processing module <NUM> may be implemented by software or hardware. When the modules are implemented by hardware, the receiving module <NUM> may be the receiver <NUM> in <FIG>, the sending module <NUM> may be the transmitter <NUM> in <FIG>, and the processing module <NUM> may be the processor <NUM> in <FIG>.

An embodiment of this application further provides another network node. The following describes a structure and a function of the network node with reference to <FIG> is a schematic block diagram of a network node <NUM> according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in <FIG>, the network node <NUM> includes a receiver <NUM> and a transmitter <NUM>. Optionally, the network node <NUM> further includes a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The receiver <NUM>, the transmitter <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, and the memory <NUM> communicate with each other through an inner connection path, to transfer a control signal and/or a data signal. The memory <NUM> is configured to store a computer program. The processor <NUM> is configured to invoke the computer program from the memory <NUM> and run the computer program, to control the receiver <NUM> to receive a signal, and control the transmitter <NUM> to send a signal. When the program stored in the memory <NUM> is executed by the processor <NUM>, the transmitter <NUM> is configured to send a first delimitation packet, where the first delimitation packet includes a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to indicate a moment at which a second network node sends the first delimitation packet.

The transmitter <NUM> is further configured to send a second delimitation packet, where the second delimitation packet includes a second identifier, and the second identifier is used to indicate a moment at which the second network node sends the second delimitation packet; the second delimitation packet and the first delimitation packet are two neighboring delimitation packets; and a time interval at which the second network node sends the two neighboring delimitation packets is a first time interval.

The processor <NUM> is configured to collect statistics about first data based on the first delimitation packet and the second delimitation packet, where the first data is used to indicate a congestion status in the first time interval.

The receiver <NUM> is configured to receive, by using the first time interval as a periodicity, a first-type statistics packet sent by a first network node, where the first-type statistics packet includes the first identifier, and the first-type statistics packet is used to indicate a congestion status of the first network node in the first time interval.

The processor <NUM> is further configured to obtain a first congestion degree based on the first data and the first-type statistics packet, where the first congestion degree is used to indicate a congestion degree in the first time interval.

The processor <NUM> and the memory <NUM> may be integrated into one processing apparatus. The processor <NUM> is configured to execute program code stored in the memory <NUM> to implement the foregoing functions. In a specific implementation, the memory <NUM> may alternatively be integrated into the processor <NUM>, or independent of the processor <NUM>.

It should be understood that the network node <NUM> may correspond to the second network node in the congestion measurement method <NUM> in the network according to the embodiments of the present invention, and the network node <NUM> may include modules configured to perform the method performed by the second network node in the congestion measurement method <NUM> in the network in <FIG>. In addition, the modules in the network node <NUM> and the foregoing other operations and/or functions are respectively intended to implement corresponding procedures of the congestion measurement method <NUM> in the network in <FIG>. For a specific process of the foregoing corresponding steps performed by the units, refer to the foregoing description of the method embodiment in <FIG>. For brevity, details are not described herein again.

An embodiment of this application further provides a network node. The following describes a structure and a function of the network node with reference to <FIG> is another schematic block diagram of a network node <NUM> according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in <FIG>, the network node <NUM> includes a receiving module <NUM> and a sending module <NUM>.

The receiving module <NUM> and the sending module <NUM> may be implemented by software or hardware. When the sending module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> are implemented by hardware, the receiving module <NUM> may be the receiver <NUM> in <FIG>, and the sending module <NUM> may be the transmitter <NUM> in <FIG>.

It should be understood that, the processor in the embodiments of this application may be a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), or may be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (digital signal processor, DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (application-specific integrated circuit, ASIC), a field programmable gate array (field programmable gate array, FPGA) or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or a transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or the like. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

It may be understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application may be a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory, or may include a volatile memory and a nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory may be a read-only memory (read-only memory, ROM), a programmable read-only memory (programmable ROM, PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (erasable PROM, EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (electrically EPROM, EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (random access memory, RAM) that is used as an external buffer. Through an example rather than a limitative description, random access memories (random access memories, RAMs) in many forms may be used, for example, a static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), a double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), an enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), a synchlink dynamic random access memory (synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM), and a direct rambus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM).

An embodiment of this application further provides a communication system. <FIG> is a schematic block diagram of a network device <NUM> according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in <FIG>, the network system <NUM> includes a network node <NUM> and a network node <NUM>. The network node <NUM> may be the network node <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and the network node <NUM> may be the network node <NUM> shown in <FIG>; or the network node <NUM> may be the network node <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and the network node <NUM> may be the network node <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

It should be understood that the network node <NUM> may correspond to the first network node in the congestion measurement method <NUM> in the network according to the embodiments of the present invention, and the network node <NUM> may include modules configured to perform the method performed by the first network node in the congestion measurement method <NUM> in the network in <FIG>. The network node <NUM> may correspond to the second network node in the congestion measurement method <NUM> in the network according to the embodiments of the present invention, and the network node <NUM> may include modules configured to perform the method performed by the second network node in the congestion measurement method <NUM> in the network in <FIG>. In addition, the modules in the network node <NUM> and the network node <NUM> and the foregoing other operations and/or functions are respectively intended to implement corresponding procedures of the congestion measurement method <NUM> in the network in <FIG>. For a specific process of the foregoing corresponding steps performed by the units, refer to the foregoing description of the method embodiment in <FIG>. For brevity, details are not described herein again.

In the network nodes in the foregoing embodiments, for example, the network node <NUM> and the network node <NUM>, each network node is divided into a data plane and a control plane, where a connection is established between control planes of the network nodes. The control plane is mainly responsible for negotiating measurement capabilities and measurement parameters (for example, a time interval for collecting statistics about a congestion status). Thedata plane is mainly responsible for sending and receiving measurement packets, returning measurement results (for example, a statistics packet), and the like, and performing actual measurement to form a connection between data planes. For example, in the method <NUM>, a data plane of the first network node is connected to a data plane of the second network node. When the data plane of the first network node is connected to the data plane of the second network node, the data plane of the second network node is mainly responsible for sending a measurement packet (for example, a first measurement packet) to the first network node. Correspondingly, the data plane of the first network node receives the measurement packet sent by the second network node. Alternatively, the data plane of the first network node sends a measurement result (for example, a first-type statistics packet) to the second network node. A control plane of the first network node is connected to a control plane of the second network node. When the control plane of the first network node is connected to the control plane of the second network node, the control plane of the second network node is mainly responsible for sending a setting packet to the first network node to negotiate measurement parameters between the first network node and the second network node.

All or some of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement the embodiments, all or some of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented in a form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded or executed on the computer, the procedure or functions according to the embodiments of the present invention are all or partially generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatuses. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or may be transmitted from a computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center in a wired (for example, infrared, radio, or microwave) manner. The computer-readable storage medium may be any usable medium accessible by a computer, or a data storage device, such as a server or a data center, integrating one or more usable media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape), an optical medium (for example, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium. The semiconductor medium may be a solid-state drive.

It should be understood that, the term "and/or" in this specification describes only an association relationship for describing associated objects and represents that three relationships may exist. In addition, the character "/" in this specification usually indicates an "or" relationship between the associated objects.

For example, the described apparatus embodiments are merely examples. For example, division into units is merely logical function division and may be other division during actual implementation. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented through some interfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections between the apparatuses or units may be implemented in electrical, mechanical, or another form.

Some or all of the units may be selected based on an actual requirement to achieve an objective of a solution of the embodiments.

When the functions are implemented in a form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the functions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solutions of this application essentially, or the part contributing to the conventional technology, or some of the technical solutions may be implemented in a form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium, and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, or the like) to perform all or some of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of this application. The foregoing storage medium includes any medium that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (read-only memory, ROM), a random access memory (random access memory, RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

Claim 1:
A congestion measurement method, wherein the method is performed in a communication system comprising a first network node and a second network node, is applied to the first network node, and comprises:
receiving (<NUM>) a first delimitation packet, wherein the first delimitation packet comprises a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to indicate a moment at which the second network node sends the first delimitation packet;
collecting (<NUM>), based on the first delimitation packet, statistics about a congestion status of the first network node by using a first time interval as a periodicity, wherein the first time interval is a time interval at which the second network node sends two neighboring delimitation packets; and
sending (<NUM>) a first-type statistics packet to the second network node by using the first time interval as a periodicity, wherein the first-type statistics packet comprises the first identifier, and the first-type statistics packet is used to indicate the congestion status of the first network node in the first time interval.