Patent ID: 12255819

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

A transmission pipe configuration method provided in embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the specification.

The transmission pipe configuration method provided in embodiments of this application may be applied to a communications system shown inFIG.1a. The communications system includes a first network domain, a transport network, and a second network domain. The transport network is configured to connect the first network domain and the second network domain, to transmit service data between the first network domain and the second network domain.

Specifically, the transport network may be a network configured to transmit service data, for example, may be a network such as an optical transport network (OTN) or a synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) network, which is not limited. The first network domain and the second network domain each may be an Internet Protocol (IP) network.

The transmission pipe configuration method provided in embodiments of this application is described below by usingFIG.1aandFIG.1bas examples.

Specifically, the transport network may include a plurality of transmission pipes, a first border transport device, and a second border transport device. For example, the transport network is an OTN. A transmission pipe corresponding to a first border device and a second border device may be established, or a transmission pipe corresponding to a first device and the second border device may be established. For example, the transmission pipe corresponding to the first border device and the second border device is established. As shown inFIG.1a, the transport network may include a transmission pipe1, a transmission pipe2, a transmission pipe3, and a transmission pipe4. Each transmission pipe is used to connect the first border transport device and the second border transport device. The first border transport device may be connected to at least one first border device, and the second border transport device may be connected to at least one second border device. In other words, a connection is established between the first border device and the second border device by using the transmission pipe. Different transmission pipes correspond to different bandwidths and delays. Different service data is transmitted by using different transmission pipes, to implement bandwidth isolation and delay stability, thereby meeting a user requirement.

Further, as shown inFIG.1a, the transport network may include a controller, and the transport network is centrally controlled by using the controller. The controller may be a software defined network (SDN) controller independently deployed outside the transport network or a central control unit (CCU) located in the transport network.

It should be noted that the controller may be unnecessarily centrally deployed in the transport network, as shown inFIG.1a, and may be deployed independent of the transport network. In embodiments of this application, a name of the transmission pipe is not limited. For example, when the transport network is the OTN, the transmission pipe may be named as an OTN pipe.

The first network domain may include at least one first border device and at least one first device connected to the first border device. The first border device may be a device configured to send/receive service data, and the first border device may be a device configured to transmit service data between the first device and the transport network.

Similarly, the second network domain may include at least one second border device and at least one second device connected to the second border device. The second border device may be a device configured to send/receive service data, and the second border device may be a device configured to transmit service data between the second device and the transport network.

In embodiments of this application, the first network domain and the second network domain are two network domains that transmit service data to each other by using the transport network. For example, the first network domain sends service data to the second network domain by using the transport network. As shown inFIG.1a, the first device sends, to the first border device, service data including a destination address, where the destination address is used to identify a second device. The first border device determines, from a preconfigured routing table, an IP address of a next-hop second border device of the first border device based on the destination address of the received service data, determines a MAC address of the next-hop second border device of the first border device based on a preconfigured ARP table, and sends the service data to the next-hop second border device of the first border device based on the MAC address by using the transmission pipe. The next-hop second border device forwards the received service data to the corresponding second device based on the destination address of the received service data.

It should be noted that a process in which the second network domain sends service data to the first network domain by using the transport network is similar to the foregoing process. Details are not described again.

For example, the first network domain may be a user-side network domain, and the second network domain may be a server-side network domain, or the first network domain may be a server-side network domain, and the second network domain may be a user-side network domain.

For example, the first network domain is a user-side network domain, the transport network is an OTN, and the second network domain is a server-side network domain. The first device may be a user-side network device, the first border device may be a user-side border device, the first border transport device may be a user-side border OTN device, the second border transport device may be a server-side border OTN device, the second border device may be a server-side border device, and the second device may be a server-side network device. A connection may be established between the user-side border device and the server-side border device by using an OTN pipe, where one end of the OTN pipe is the user-side border OTN device, and the other end is the server-side border OTN device.

For example, the user-side network device may be an ONT shown inFIG.1b, the user-side border device may be an OLT shown inFIG.1b, the user-side border transport device may be an access OTN device shown inFIG.1b, the server-side border transport device may be a core OTN device shown inFIG.1b, the server-side border device may be a gateway or a route switching device such as a router shown inFIG.1b, and the server-side network device may be an application server shown inFIG.1b.

The ONT shown inFIG.1bmay be further connected to at least one user equipment. The user equipment (UE) may be referred to as a terminal (terminal), a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), or the like. Specifically, the user equipment may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, or a computer with a wireless receiving/transmitting function. The user equipment may alternatively be a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, an in-vehicle terminal, or the like. This is not limited.

It should be noted that in this embodiment of this application, at least one first device, at least one first border device, at least one first border transport device, at least one second border transport device, at least one second border device, and at least one second device each may be one or more chips or systems on chips (system on chip, SOC) or the like.FIG.1ais merely an example accompany drawing, and includes an unlimited quantity of devices. In addition, in addition to the devices shown inFIG.1a, the communications system may further include another device. A name of each device and a name of each transmission pipe inFIG.1aare not limited. In addition to the name shown inFIG.1a, each device and each transmission pipe may be named as other names. For example, when the first network domain and the second network domain communicate with each other by using the OTN, the transmission pipe may be named as an OTN pipe, an optical layer pipe, or the like. The transmission pipe may be an electrical layer pipe, an MPLS tunnel, or the like. This is not limited.

For example, inFIG.1b, an OTN pipe corresponding to an OLT and a router is established. When the OTN pipe is established in an existing transport network, addresses of an OLT and of a router that exist in a communications system using the OTN is manually determined. The address of the OLT and the address of the router are configured into a central control unit (CCU) in the OTN in a manual static configuration manner. The CCU determines at least one OTN pipe based on the address of the OLT and the address of the router, where one end of each pipe is an access OTN device, and the other end is a core OTN device, and sends, to a corresponding access OTN device and a core OTN device, an address of an OLT and an address of a router that correspond to each OTN pipe. However, a quantity of OLTs is huge in the communications system, and the CCU cannot learn of the addresses of the OLT and the router that exist in the communications system. Therefore, when the foregoing manual static configuration manner is used, working difficulty in initially collecting the address of the OLT and the address of the router is increased, which is not helpful in establishment the OTN pipe.

To resolve the foregoing technical problem, embodiments of this application provide a transmission pipe configuration method, and the method is applied to a controller. The method includes the controller receives a device address of a first network domain from a first border transport device, and receives a device address of a second network domain from a second border transport device, and generates an identifier of a transmission pipe based on the device address of the first network domain and the device address of the second network domain, where the transmission pipe is used to connect the first border transport device and the second border transport device. The controller sends, to the first border transport device, the identifier of the transmission pipe and the device address that is of the second network domain and that corresponds to the transmission pipe, where the identifier of the transmission pipe and the device address that is of the second network domain and that corresponds to the transmission pipe are used to generate a forwarding table that is of the first border transport device and that is used to indicate a forwarding relationship in which service data is forwarded from the device address of the first network domain to the device address of the second network domain by using the transmission pipe. Specifically, for the transmission pipe configuration method provided in embodiments of this application, refer to descriptions in the following embodiments corresponding toFIG.3,FIG.6,FIG.9, andFIG.10.

In this way, the controller may receive the device address of the first network domain and the device address of the second network domain by using the first border transport device and the second border transport device without manual static configuration, thereby reducing working difficulty in initially collecting the device address of the first network domain and the device address of the second network domain. In addition, the controller may directly generate the identifier of the transmission pipe based on the received device address of the first network domain and the received device address of the second network domain, to facilitate establishment of the transmission pipe. Moreover, the controller sends, to the first border transport device, the identifier of the transmission pipe and the device address that is of the second network domain and that corresponds to the transmission pipe, so that the first border transport device generates a corresponding forwarding table, and the first border transport device subsequently forwards, to the second network domain based on the forwarding table, service data from the device address of the first network domain by using the transmission pipe corresponding to the device address of the second network domain.

In specific implementation, all devices inFIG.1a, such as the first device, the first border device, the first border transport device, the controller, the second border transport device, the second border device, and the second device, may use a composition structure shown inFIG.2or include a component shown inFIG.2.FIG.2is a schematic diagram of composition of a communications apparatus200according to an embodiment of this application. The communications apparatus200may be a first device or a chip or system on chip in the first device, may be a first border device or a chip or system on chip in the first border device, may be a first border transport device or a chip or system on chip in the first border transport device, may be a controller or a chip or system on chip in the controller, may be a second border transport device or a chip or system on chip in the second border transport device, may be a second border device or a chip or system on chip in the second border device, or may be a second device or a chip or system on chip in the second device. As shown inFIG.2, the communications apparatus200includes a processor201, a transceiver202, and a communications line203.

Further, the communications apparatus200may include a memory204. The processor201, the memory204, and the transceiver202may be connected by using the communications line203.

The processor201is a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor201may be another apparatus that has a processing function, for example, a circuit, a component, or a software module. This is not limited.

The transceiver202is configured to communicate with another device or another communications network. The another communications network may be an Ethernet, a radio access network (RAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), or the like. The transceiver202may be a module, a circuit, a transceiver, or any apparatus that can implement communication.

The communications line203is configured to transmit information between components included in the communications apparatus200.

The memory204is configured to store instructions. The instruction may be a computer program.

The memory204may be a read-only memory (ROM) or another type of static storage device that can store static information and/or instructions, may be a random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device that can store information and/or instructions, or may be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or another optical disk storage, an optical disc storage (including a compact disc, a laser disc, an optical disc, a digital versatile disc, a Blu-ray disc, or the like), a magnetic disk storage medium, or another magnetic storage device. This is not limited.

It should be noted that the memory204may exist independent of the processor201or may be integrated with the processor201. The memory204may be configured to store instructions, program code, some data, or the like. The memory204may be located in the communications apparatus200or may be located outside the communications apparatus200. This is not limited. The processor201is configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory204, to implement the transmission pipe configuration method provided in the following embodiments of this application.

In an example, the processor201may include one or more CPUs, for example, a CPU0and CPU1inFIG.2.

In an optional implementation, the communications apparatus200includes a plurality of processors. For example, in addition to the processor201inFIG.2, the communications apparatus200may further include a processor205.

It should be noted that the communications apparatus200may be a network server, an optical access device, an optical transport device, a gateway, a router, a chip system, or a device having a structure similar to that inFIG.2. In addition, the composition structure shown inFIG.2constitutes no limitation on the communications apparatus. In addition to the components shown inFIG.2, the communications apparatus may include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or combine some components, or have different component arrangements.

In this embodiment of this application, the chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another discrete component.

In addition, actions, terms, and the like in embodiments of this application may be mutually referenced. This is not limited. In this embodiment of this application, a name of a message exchanged between devices or a name of a parameter in the message is merely an example. In specific implementation, another name may be used. This is not limited.

The transmission pipe configuration method provided in embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the communications system shown inFIG.1aby using an example in which the controller generates an identifier of a first transmission pipe based on the received device address of the first network domain of the first border transport device and the received device address of the second network domain of the second border transport device. The first border transport device may be any first border transport device inFIG.1a, the device address of the first network domain may be a device address of any first border device connected to the first border transport device inFIG.1a, the second border transport device may be any second border transport device inFIG.1a, and the device address of the second network domain may be a device address of any second border device connected to the second border transport device inFIG.1a. The controller, the first border transport device, the first border device, the second border transport device, and the second border device described in the following embodiments may have the components shown inFIG.2.

It should be noted that in embodiments of this application, when the device address of the first network domain includes an address of the first border device and the device address of the second network domain includes an address of the second border device, the controller may generate an identifier of a first transmission pipe corresponding to the address of the first border device and the address of the second border device. Alternatively, when the device address of the first network domain includes the address of the first border device and a destination address of the first network domain and the device address of the second network domain includes the address of the second border device, the controller may generate an identifier of a second transmission pipe corresponding to the destination address of the first network domain and the address of the second border device.

FIG.3is a flowchart of a transmission pipe configuration method according to this application. As shown inFIG.3, the method includes the following steps.

Step301: A first border transport device obtains a device address of a first network domain, and sends the device address of the first network domain to a controller.

The device address of the first network domain may be an address of a first border device connected to the first border transport device. Optionally, the address of the first border device is a MAC address.

It should be noted that the first border device connected to the first border transport device may include one or more first border devices. When the first border device connected to the first border transport device includes one first border device, the first border transport device may use a MAC address of the first border device as the device address of the first network domain. Alternatively, when the first border device connected to the first border transport device includes a plurality of first border devices, the first border transport device may use MAC addresses of the plurality of first border devices as the device address of the first network domain.

Specifically, the first border transport device may obtain the device address of the first network domain in the following manner the first border transport device may automatically discover the first border device connected to the first border transport device and obtain the MAC address of the first border device, and use the MAC address of the first border device as the device address of the first network domain.

It should be noted that for a process in which the first border transport device automatically discovers the first border device, refer to the conventional technology. Details are not described.

Further, the first border transport device may automatically discover the first border device in an initial stage of network planning, use the MAC address of the first border device as the device address of the first network domain, and send the device address to the controller. When a plurality of first border transport devices exist in a network, each first border transport device may send, to the controller based on step301, the device address that is of the first network domain and that is obtained by the first border transport device.

Step302: A second border transport device obtains a device address of a second network domain, and sends the device address of the second network domain to the controller.

The device address of the second network domain may be an address of a second border device connected to the second border transport device, or the device address of the second network domain may be the address of the second border device connected to the second border transport device and an address of a second device connected to the second border device. This embodiment of this application is described by using an example in which the device address of the second network domain is the address of the second border device connected to the second border transport device. Optionally, the address of the second border device is a MAC address.

It should be noted that the second border device connected to the second border transport device may include one or more second border devices. When the second border device connected to the second border transport device includes one second border device, the second border transport device may use a MAC address of the second border device as the device address of the second network domain. Alternatively, when the second border device connected to the second border transport device includes a plurality of second border devices, the second border transport device may use MAC addresses of the plurality of second border devices as the device address of the second network domain.

Specifically, the second border transport device may obtain the device address of the second network domain in the following manner the second border transport device may automatically discover the second border device connected to the second border transport device and obtain the MAC address of the second border device, and use the MAC address of the second border device as the device address of the second network domain.

It should be noted that for a process in which the second border transport device automatically discovers the second border device, refer to the conventional technology. Details are not described.

Further, the second border transport device may automatically discover the second border device in an initial stage of network planning, use the MAC address of the second border device as the device address of the second network domain, and send the device address to the controller. When a plurality of second border transport devices exist in a network, each second border transport device may send, to the controller based on step302, the device address that is of the second network domain and that is obtained by the second border transport device.

It should be noted that an execution sequence of step301and step302is not limited. Step301may be first performed, or step302may be first performed, or step301and step302may be simultaneously performed.

Step303: The controller receives the device address of the first network domain and the device address of the second network domain, and generates an identifier of a first transmission pipe based on the device address of the first network domain and the device address of the second network domain.

Specifically, when the device address of the first network domain is the address of the first border device and the device address of the second network domain is the address of the second border device, the controller may generate, based on the received address of the first border device and the received address of the second border device, the identifier of the first transmission pipe corresponding to the first border device and the second border device.

UsingFIG.1aas an example, the controller may generate an identifier1001of a first transmission pipe1based on a MAC address of a first border device1and a MAC address of a second border device1, generate an identifier1002of a first transmission pipe1based on the MAC address of the first border device1and a MAC address of a second border device2, generate an identifier1003of a first transmission pipe3based on a MAC address of a first border device2and the MAC address of the second border device1, and generate an identifier1004of a first transmission pipe4based on the MAC address of the first border device2and the MAC address of the second border device2.

Optionally, the controller obtains a service mapping table shown inFIG.4based on the generated identifier of the first transmission pipe, the address of the first border device corresponding to the first transmission pipe, and the address of the second border device corresponding to the first transmission pipe.

For example, the controller may communicate with the first border transport device and the second border transport device based on a control plane protocol message.

The control plane protocol message may be a message suitable for transmission on a control plane, and a control plane protocol may be control plane protocol in a physical (physical, PHY) layer or a control plane protocol in a bottom layer. The control plane protocol may support the first border transport device in sending the device address of the first network domain to the controller by using a physical layer or a bottom layer, or may support the second border transport device in sending the device address of the second network domain to the controller by using the physical layer or the bottom layer. For example, the control plane protocol may be a path computation element protocol (PCEP).

Further, after generating the identifier of the first transmission pipe based on step303, the controller may perform the following steps304aand304b, so that the first border transport device performs the following step305ato generate a forwarding table of the first border transport device, and the second border transport device performs the following step305bto generate a forwarding table of the second border transport device.

Step304a: The controller sends, to the first border transport device, the identifier of the first transmission pipe and the device address that is of the second network domain and that corresponds to the first transmission pipe.

Specifically, the controller may directly send, to the first border transport device, a service mapping table generated by the controller, or may send, to the first border transport device, the identifier of the first transmission pipe corresponding to the first border transport device and the address of the second border device corresponding to the first transmission pipe.

For example, using the service mapping table shown inFIG.4as an example, the controller may directly send the service mapping table to a first border transport device1and a first border transport device2. The controller may alternatively determine the first border device connected to the first border transport device, and send, to the first border transport device, the identifier of the first transmission pipe corresponding to the first border device and the device address that is of the second network domain and that corresponds to the first transmission pipe. UsingFIG.1aas an example, the first border transport device1is connected to the first border device1, and the first border transport device2is connected to the first border device2. It may be learned, based on the service mapping table shown inFIG.4, that identifiers of first transmission pipes corresponding to the first border device1include1001and1002, and that identifiers of first transmission pipes corresponding to the first border device2include1003and1004. The controller may send, to the first border transport device1,1001and the MAC address that is of the second border device1and that corresponds to1001, and1002and the MAC address that is of the second border device2and that corresponds to1002, and send, to the first border transport device2,1003and the MAC address that is of the second border device1and that corresponds to1003, and1004and the MAC address that is of the second border device2and that corresponds to1004.

The controller may send, to the first border transport device based on a control plane protocol message, the identifier of the first transmission pipe and the address of the second border device corresponding to the first transmission pipe. For related descriptions of the control plane protocol message, refer to step303. Details are not described again.

Further, the controller may receive addresses of second border devices from a plurality of second border transport devices in a transport network, and send, to the first border transport device based on a same control plane protocol message, the addresses that are of the second border devices and that are from the plurality of second border transport devices and an identifier of a first transmission pipe corresponding to the address of each second border device, to reduce signaling interaction.

Step305a: The first border transport device receives the identifier of the first transmission pipe and the device address that is of the second network domain and that corresponds to the first transmission pipe, and generates a forwarding table of the first border transport device.

The forwarding table of the first border transport device may be used to indicate a forwarding relationship in which service data is forwarded from the device address of the first network domain to the device address of the second network domain by using the first transmission pipe.

Specifically, usingFIG.1aas an example, the first border transport device may generate a forwarding table shown inFIG.5abased on the identifier of the first transmission pipe and the address of the second border device corresponding to the first transmission pipe. Entries of the forwarding table include the address of the second border device and the identifier of the first transmission pipe corresponding to the address of the second border device, so that the first border transport device forwards, to the second border device based on the forwarding table, service data from the device address of the first network domain by using the first transmission pipe corresponding to the address of the second border device. A forwarding table generated by the first border transport device1includes an identifier of a first transmission pipe corresponding to an address of the first border device1and an address that is of a second border device and that corresponds to the first transmission pipe. A forwarding table generated by the first border transport device2includes an identifier of a first transmission pipe corresponding to an address of the first border device2and an address that is of a second border device and that corresponds to the identifier of the first transmission pipe.

Step304b: The controller sends, to the second border transport device, the identifier of the first transmission pipe and the device address that is of the first network domain and that corresponds to the first transmission pipe.

Specifically, the controller may directly send, to the second border transport device, a service mapping table generated by the controller, or may send, to the second border transport device, the identifier of the first transmission pipe corresponding to the second border transport device and the address of the first border device corresponding to the first transmission pipe.

For example, using the service mapping table shown inFIG.4as an example, the controller may directly send the service mapping table to a second border transport device1and a second border transport device2. The controller may alternatively determine the second border device connected to the second border transport device, and send, to the second border transport device, the identifier of the first transmission pipe corresponding to the second border device and the device address that is of the first network domain and that corresponds to the first transmission pipe. UsingFIG.1aas an example, the second border transport device1is connected to the second border device1, and the second border transport device2is connected to the second border device2. It may be learned, based on the service mapping table shown inFIG.4, that identifiers of first transmission pipes corresponding to the second border device1include1001and1003, and that identifiers of first transmission pipes corresponding to the second border device2include1002and1004. The controller may send, to the second border transport device1,1001and the MAC address that is of the first border device1and that corresponds to1001, and1003and the MAC address that is of the first border device2and that corresponds to1003, and send, to the second border transport device2,1002and the MAC address that is of the first border device1and that corresponds to1002, and1004and the MAC address that is of the first border device2and that corresponds to1004.

The controller may send, to the second border transport device based on a control plane protocol message, the identifier of the first transmission pipe and the device address that is of the first network domain and that corresponds to the first transmission pipe. For related descriptions of the control plane protocol message, refer to step303. Details are not described again.

Further, the controller may receive addresses of first border devices from a plurality of first border transport devices in the transport network, and send, to the second border transport device based on a same control plane protocol message, the addresses that are of the first border devices and that are from the plurality of first border transport devices and an identifier of a first transmission pipe corresponding to the address of each first border device.

Step305b: The second border transport device receives the identifier of the first transmission pipe and the device address that is of the first network domain and that corresponds to the first transmission pipe, and generates a forwarding table of the second border transport device.

The forwarding table is used to indicate a forwarding relationship in which service data is forwarded from the device address of the second network domain to the device address of the first network domain by using the first transmission pipe.

Specifically, usingFIG.1aas an example, the second border transport device may generate a forwarding table shown inFIG.5bbased on the identifier of the first transmission pipe and the address of the first border device corresponding to the first transmission pipe. Entries of the forwarding table include the device address of the first network domain and the identifier of the first transmission pipe corresponding to the device address of the first network domain, so that the second border transport device forwards, to the first network domain based on the forwarding table, service data from the device address of the second network domain by using the first transmission pipe corresponding to the device address of the first network domain. A forwarding table generated by the second border transport device1includes an identifier of a first transmission pipe corresponding to an address of the second border device1and an address that is of a first border device and that corresponds to the first transmission pipe. A forwarding table generated by the second border transport device2includes an identifier of a first transmission pipe corresponding to an address of the second border device2and an address that is of a first border device and that corresponds to the identifier of the first transmission pipe.

Based on the method inFIG.3, the controller may receive the device address of the first network domain and the device address of the second network domain by using the first border transport device and the second border transport device without manual static configuration, thereby reducing working difficulty in initially collecting the device address of the first network domain and the device address of the second network domain. In addition, the controller may directly generate the identifier of the first transmission pipe based on the received device address of the first network domain and the received device address of the second network domain, to facilitate establishment of the transmission pipe. Moreover, the controller sends, to the first border transport device, the identifier of the first transmission pipe and the device address that is of the second network domain and that corresponds to the first transmission pipe, and sends, to the second border transport device, the identifier of the first transmission pipe and the device address that is of the first network domain and that corresponds to the first transmission pipe, so that the first border transport device and the second border transport device generate corresponding forwarding tables, and forward service data based on the generated forwarding tables.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.3, the controller may generate the identifier of the first transmission pipe based on the address of the first border device and the address of the second border device. Similar toFIG.3, when the device address of the first network domain includes the address of the first border device and a destination address of the first network domain, referring toFIG.6, the controller may also generate an identifier of a second transmission pipe based on the destination address of the first network domain and the address of the second border device.

FIG.6is a flowchart of a transmission pipe configuration method according to an embodiment of this application. As shown inFIG.6, the method includes the following steps.

Step601: A first border device obtains a destination address of a first network domain, and sends the destination address of the first network domain to a first border transport device.

The destination address of the first network domain may be an address of a first device connected to the first border device. Optionally, the address of the first device is an IP address.

It should be noted that the first device connected to the first border device may include one or more first devices. When the first device connected to the first border device includes one first device, the first border device may use an IP address of the first device as the destination address of the first network domain. Alternatively, when the first device connected to the first border device includes a plurality of first devices, the first border device may use IP addresses of the plurality of first devices as the destination address of the first network domain.

Specifically, the first border device may obtain the destination address of the first network domain in the following manner. The first border device may automatically discover the first device connected to the first border device and obtain the IP address of the first device, and use the IP address of the first device as the destination address of the first network domain. It should be noted that for a process in which the first border device automatically discovers the first device, refer to the conventional technology. Details are not described.

Further, the first border device may automatically discover the first device in an initial stage of network planning, use the IP address of the first device as the destination address of the first network domain, and send the destination address to the first border transport device. When a plurality of first border devices exist in a network, each first border device may send, to a border transport device based on step601, the destination address that is of the first network domain and that is obtained by the first border device.

For example, the first border device may send the destination address of the first network domain to the first border transport device by using a control protocol in a network layer or a data link layer.

Specifically, when the first border device is connected to a plurality of first devices, the first border device may send IP addresses of the plurality of first devices to the first border transport device based on a same control protocol message in the network layer or the data link layer, to reduce signaling interaction.

Step602: The first border transport device obtains an address of the first border device.

For specific description of obtaining the address of the first border device by the first border transport device, refer to step301. Details are not described again.

It should be noted that an execution sequence of step601and step602is not limited. Step601may be first performed, or step602may be first performed, or step601and step602may be simultaneously performed.

Step603: The first border transport device sends the received destination address of the first network domain and the received address of the first border device to a controller.

Step604: A second border transport device obtains a device address of a second network domain, and sends the device address of the second network domain to the controller.

The device address of the second network domain includes an address of a second border device.

Specifically, for a processing process of step604, refer to step302. Details are not described again.

It should be noted that an execution sequence of step603and step604is not limited. Step603may be first performed, or step604may be first performed, or step603and step604may be simultaneously performed.

Step605: The controller generates an identifier of a second transmission pipe based on the destination address of the first network domain, the address of the first border device, and the device address of the second network domain.

Specifically, after receiving the address of the first device, the address of the first border device, and the address of the second border device, the controller may generate the identifier of the second transmission pipe corresponding to the first device and the second border device.

UsingFIG.1aas an example, the controller may generate an identifier2001of a second transmission pipe1based on an IP address of a first device1, a MAC address of a first border device1, and a MAC address of a second border device1, generate an identifier2002of a second transmission pipe2based on the IP address of the first device1, the MAC address of the first border device1, and a MAC address of a second border device2, generate an identifier2003of a second transmission pipe3based on an IP address of a first device2, the MAC address of the first border device1, and the MAC address of the second border device1, generate an identifier2004of a second transmission pipe4based on the IP address of the first device2, the MAC address of the first border device1, and the MAC address of the second border device2, generate an identifier2005of a second transmission pipe5based on an IP address of a first device3, the MAC address of the first border device2, and the MAC address of the second border device1, and generate an identifier2006of a second transmission pipe6based on the IP address of the first device3, the MAC address of the first border device2, and the MAC address of the second border device2.

Optionally, the controller obtains a service mapping table shown inFIG.7based on the generated identifier of the second transmission pipe, the address of the first device corresponding to the second transmission pipe, the address of the first border device corresponding to the second transmission pipe, and the address of the second border device corresponding to the second transmission pipe.

Step606a: The controller sends, to the first border transport device, the identifier of the second transmission pipe and the device address that is of the second network domain and that corresponds to the second transmission pipe.

Specifically, for a processing process of step606a, refer to step304a. Details are not described again.

Step607a: The first border transport device receives the identifier of the second transmission pipe and the device address that is of the second network domain and that corresponds to the second transmission pipe, and generates a forwarding table of the first border transport device.

Specifically, for a processing process of step607a, refer to step305a. Details are not described again.

Step606b: The controller sends, to the second border transport device, the identifier of the second transmission pipe, the destination address that is of the first network domain and that corresponds to the second transmission pipe, and the address of the first border device corresponding to the second transmission pipe.

Specifically, a processing process of step606bis similar to that of step304b. Details are not described again.

Step607b: The second border transport device receives the identifier of the second transmission pipe, the destination address that is of the first network domain and that corresponds to the second transmission pipe, and the address of the first border device corresponding to the second transmission pipe, and generates a forwarding table of the second border transport device.

Specifically,FIG.1ais used as an example. The second border transport device may generate a forwarding table shown inFIG.8based on the identifier of the second transmission pipe, the address of the first device corresponding to the second transmission pipe, and the address of the first border device corresponding to the first transmission pipe. Entries of the forwarding table include the address of the first device, the address of the first border device corresponding to the address of the first device, and the identifier of the second transmission pipe corresponding to the address of the first device, so that the second border transport device forwards, to the first device based on the forwarding table, service data from the address of the second border device by using the second transmission pipe corresponding to the address of the first device and the address of the first border device. A forwarding table generated by a second border transport device1includes an identifier of a second transmission pipe corresponding to an address of the second border device1, an address that is of a first device and that corresponds to the identifier of the second transmission pipe, and an address that is of a first border device and that corresponds to the identifier of the second transmission pipe. A forwarding table generated by a second border transport device2includes an identifier of a second transmission pipe corresponding to an address of the second border device2, an address that is of a first device and that corresponds to the identifier of the second transmission pipe, and an address that is of a first border device and that corresponds to the identifier of the second transmission pipe.

Based on the method inFIG.6, the controller may receive the destination address of the first network domain, the address of the first border device, and the device address of the second network domain by using the first border transport device and the second border transport device without manual static configuration, thereby reducing working difficulty in initially collecting the destination address of the first network domain, the address of the first border device, and the device address of the second network domain. In addition, the controller may directly generate the identifier of the second transmission pipe based on the received destination address of the first network domain, the received address of the first border device, and the received device address of the second network domain, to facilitate establishment of the transmission pipe. Moreover, the controller sends, to the first border transport device, the identifier of the second transmission pipe and the device address that is of the second network domain and that corresponds to the second transmission pipe, and sends, to the second border transport device, the identifier of the second transmission pipe, the destination address that is of the first network domain and that corresponds to the second transmission pipe, and the address of the first border device corresponding to the second transmission pipe, so that the first border transport device and the second border transport device generate corresponding forwarding tables, and forward service data based on the generated forwarding tables.

The transmission pipe configuration method provided in this embodiment of this application is described below in detail by using an example in which the first network domain is a user-side network domain, a transport network is an OTN, and the second network domain is a server-side network domain.

As shown inFIG.1b, the user-side network domain includes an ONT and an OLT. The OTN includes a controller, an access OTN device, and a core OTN device. The server-side network domain includes a router and an application server. A destination address of the user-side network domain is an IP address of the ONT, and a destination address of the server-side network domain is an IP address of the application server. Referring toFIG.9, the transmission pipe configuration method provided in embodiments of this application is described by using an example in which the controller generates an identifier of a first transmission pipe based on a received MAC address of the OLT and a received MAC address of the router.

FIG.9shows a transmission pipe configuration method according to an embodiment of this application. As shown inFIG.9, the method includes the following steps.

Step901: An access OTN device obtains a MAC address of an OLT, and sends the MAC address of the OLT to a controller.

Specifically, the access OTN device may automatically discover an OLT connected to the access OTN device, and obtain a MAC address of the OLT.

Step902: A core OTN device obtains a MAC address of a router, and sends the MAC address of the router to the controller.

Specifically, the core OTN device may automatically discover a router connected to the core OTN device, and obtain a MAC address of the router.

Step903: The controller generates an identifier of a first transmission pipe based on the received MAC address of the OLT and the received MAC address of the router.

Specifically, the controller may generate an identifier1001of a first transmission pipe1based on a MAC address of an OLT1and a MAC address of a router1, generate an identifier1002of a first transmission pipe2based on the MAC address of the OLT1and a MAC address of a router2, generate an identifier1003of a first transmission pipe3based on a MAC address of an OLT2and the MAC address of the router1, and generate an identifier1004of a first transmission pipe4based on the MAC address of the OLT2and the MAC address of the router2.

Step904a: The controller sends, to the access OTN device, the identifier of the first transmission pipe and the MAC address of the router corresponding to the first transmission pipe.

Step905a: The access OTN device receives the identifier of the first transmission pipe and the MAC address of the router corresponding to the first transmission pipe, and generates a forwarding table of the access OTN device.

Specifically, when the access OTN device needs to forward service data to the router, the access OTN device may determine, based on the generated forwarding table, the first transmission pipe corresponding to the MAC address of the router, and forward the service data to the router by using the first transmission pipe.

Step904b: The controller sends, to the core OTN device, the identifier of the first transmission pipe and the MAC address of the OLT corresponding to the first transmission pipe.

Step905b: The core OTN device receives the identifier of the first transmission pipe and the MAC address of the OLT corresponding to the first transmission pipe, and generates a forwarding table of the core OTN device.

Specifically, when the core OTN device needs to forward service data to the OLT, the core OTN device may determine, based on the generated forwarding table, the first transmission pipe corresponding to the MAC address of the OLT, and forward the service data to the OLT by using the first transmission pipe.

Similar toFIG.9, the transmission pipe configuration method provided in embodiments of this application is described by using an example in which the controller generates an identifier of a second transmission pipe based on a received IP address of the ONT, a received MAC address of the OLT, and a received MAC address of the router.

FIG.10is a flowchart of a transmission pipe configuration method according to an embodiment of this application. As shown inFIG.10, the method includes the following steps.

Step1001: An OLT obtains an IP address of an ONT, and sends the IP address of the ONT to an access OTN device.

Specifically, the OLT may automatically discover an ONT connected to the OLT, and obtain an IP address of the ONT.

Step1002: The access OTN device obtains a MAC address of the OLT.

Specifically, the access OTN device may automatically discover an OLT connected to the access OTN device, and obtain a MAC address of the OLT.

Step1003: The access OTN device sends the IP address of the ONT and the MAC address of the OLT to a controller.

Step1004: A core OTN device obtains a MAC address of a router, and sends the MAC address of the router to the controller.

Specifically, the core OTN device may automatically discover a router connected to the core OTN device, and obtain a MAC address of the router.

Step1005: The controller generates an identifier of a second transmission pipe based on the IP address of the ONT, the MAC address of the OLT, and the MAC address of the router.

Specifically, the controller may generate an identifier2001of a second transmission pipe1based on an IP address of an ONT1, a MAC address of an OLT1, and a MAC address of a router1, generate an identifier2002of a second transmission pipe2based on the IP address of the ONT1, the MAC address of the OLT1, and a MAC address of a router2, generate an identifier2003of a second transmission pipe3based on an IP address of an ONT2, the MAC address of the OLT1, and the MAC address of the router1, generate an identifier2004of a second transmission pipe4based on the IP address of the ONT2, the MAC address of the OLT1, and the MAC address of the router2, generate an identifier2005of a second transmission pipe5based on an IP address of an ONT3, a MAC address of an OLT2, and the MAC address of the router1, and generate an identifier2006of a second transmission pipe6based on the IP address of the ONT3, the MAC address of the OLT2, and the MAC address of the router2.

Step1006a: The controller sends, to the access OTN device, the identifier of the second transmission pipe and the MAC address of the router corresponding to the second transmission pipe.

Step1007a: The access OTN device generates a forwarding table of the access OTN device based on the received identifier of the second transmission pipe and the received MAC address of the router corresponding to the second transmission pipe.

Specifically, when the access OTN device needs to forward service data to the router, the access OTN device may determine, based on the generated forwarding table, the second transmission pipe corresponding to the MAC address of the router, and forward the service data to the router by using the second transmission pipe.

Step1006b: The controller sends, to the core OTN device, the identifier of the second transmission pipe, the IP address of the ONT corresponding to the second transmission pipe, and the MAC address of the OLT corresponding to the second transmission pipe.

Step1007b: The core OTN device generates a forwarding table of the core OTN device based on the received identifier of the second transmission pipe, the received IP address of the ONT corresponding to the second transmission pipe, and the received MAC address of the OLT corresponding to the second transmission pipe.

Specifically, when the core OTN device needs to forward service data to the ONT, the core OTN device may determine, based on the generated forwarding table, the second transmission pipe corresponding to the IP address of the ONT, and forward, by using the second transmission pipe, the service data to the ONT by using the OLT corresponding to the second transmission pipe.

The foregoing mainly describes the solutions provided in embodiments of this application from a perspective of interaction between devices. It may be understood that, to implement the foregoing functions, the devices include corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules for performing the functions. A person of ordinary skill in the art should easily be aware that, in combination with algorithms and steps in the examples described in embodiments disclosed in this specification, this application can be implemented by hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed by hardware or hardware driven by computer software depends on particular applications and design constraints of the technical solutions. A person skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each particular application, but it should not be considered that the implementation goes beyond the scope of this application.

In embodiments of this application, various network elements may be divided into functional modules based on the foregoing method examples. For example, each functional module may be obtained through division based on each corresponding function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module may be implemented in a form of hardware, or may be implemented in a form of a software functional module. It should be noted that, in embodiments of this application, module division is an example, and is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, another division manner may be used.

When each functional module is obtained through division based on each corresponding function,FIG.11shows a communications apparatus. The communications apparatus110may be a controller or a chip or system on chip in a controller. The communications apparatus110may be configured to perform a function of the controller in the foregoing embodiments. The communications apparatus110shown inFIG.11includes a receiving module1101, a processing module1102, and a sending module1103.

The receiving module1101is configured to receive a device address of a first network domain from a first border transport device.

The receiving module1101is further configured to receive a device address of a second network domain from a second border transport device.

The processing module1102is configured to generate an identifier of a transmission pipe based on the device address of the first network domain and the device address of the second network domain. The transmission pipe is used to connect the first border transport device and the second border transport device.

The sending module1103is configured to send, to the first border transport device, the identifier of the transmission pipe and the device address that is of the second network domain and that corresponds to the transmission pipe. The identifier of the transmission pipe and the device address that is of the second network domain and that corresponds to the transmission pipe are used to generate a forwarding table of the first border transport device, and the forwarding table of the first border transport device is used to indicate a forwarding relationship in which service data is forwarded from the device address of the first network domain to the device address of the second network domain by using the transmission pipe.

For a specific implementation of the communications apparatus110, refer to behavior functions of the controller in the transmission pipe configuration methods inFIG.3,FIG.6,FIG.9, andFIG.10.

In a possible design, the sending module1103is further configured to send, to the second border transport device, the identifier of the transmission pipe and the device address that is of the first network domain and that corresponds to the transmission pipe. The identifier of the transmission pipe and the device address that is of the first network domain and that corresponds to the transmission pipe are used to generate a forwarding table of the second border transport device, and the forwarding table of the second border transport device is used to indicate a forwarding relationship in which service data is forwarded from the device address of the second network domain to the device address of the first network domain by using the transmission pipe.

In a possible design, the device address of the first network domain includes an address of the first border device and/or a destination address of the first network domain.

In a possible design, the device address of the second network domain includes an address of the second border device and/or a destination address of the second network domain.

In a possible design, the communications apparatus110communicates with the first border transport device based on a control plane protocol message.

In a possible design, the communications apparatus110communicates with the second border transport device based on a control plane protocol message.

In a possible design, the receiving module1101is further configured to receive device addresses of second network domains from a plurality of second border transport devices in the transport network, and the sending module1103is further configured to send, to the first border transport device based on a same control plane protocol message, the device addresses that are of the second network domains and that are from the plurality of second border transport devices and an identifier of a transmission pipe corresponding to the device address of each second network domain.

In a possible design, the receiving module1101is further configured to receive device addresses of first network domains from a plurality of first border transport devices in the transport network, and the sending module1103is further configured to send, to the second border transport device based on a same control plane protocol message, the device addresses that are of the first network domains and that are from the plurality of first border transport devices and an identifier of a transmission pipe corresponding to the device address of each first network domain.

In a possible design, the transmission pipe includes one of an optical layer pipe, an electrical layer pipe, or a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) tunnel.

In a possible design, the device address of the first network domain includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address and/or a media access control (MAC) address, and the device address of the second network domain includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address and/or a media access control (MAC) address.

In a possible design, the first network domain is a user-side network domain, and the second network domain is a server-side network domain, or the first network domain is a server-side network domain, and the second network domain is a user-side network domain.

In another implementation, the receiving module1101and the sending module1103inFIG.11may be replaced with a transceiver, and the processing module1102may be replaced with a processor. Functions of the receiving module1101and the sending module1103may be integrated into the transceiver, and functions of the processing module1102may be integrated into the processor. Further, the communications apparatus110shown inFIG.11may further include a memory. When the receiving module1101and the sending module1103are replaced with the transceiver, and the processing module1102is replaced with the processor, the communications apparatus110in this embodiment of this application may be the communications apparatus shown inFIG.2.

When each functional module is obtained through division based on each corresponding function,FIG.12shows a first border transport device. The first border transport device120may be a first border transport device or a chip or system on chip in a first border transport device. The first border transport device120may be configured to perform a function of the first border transport device in the foregoing embodiments. The first border transport device120shown inFIG.12includes a receiving module1201, a sending module1202, and a processing module1203.

The receiving module1201is configured to receive a device address of a first network domain from a first border device.

The sending module1202is configured to send the device address of the first network domain to a controller.

The receiving module1201is further configured to receive, from the controller, an identifier of a transmission pipe and a device address that is of a second network domain and that corresponds to the transmission pipe. The transmission pipe is used to connect the first border transport device and a second border transport device.

The processing module1203is configured to generate a forwarding table of the first border transport device based on the identifier of the transmission pipe and the device address that is of the second network domain and that corresponds to the transmission pipe. The forwarding table of the first border transport device is used to indicate a forwarding relationship in which service data is forwarded from the device address of the first network domain to the device address of the second network domain by using the transmission pipe.

For a specific implementation of the first border transport device120, refer to behavior functions of the first border transport device in the transmission pipe configuration methods inFIG.3,FIG.6,FIG.9, andFIG.10.

In a possible design, the device address of the first network domain includes an address of the first border device and/or a destination address of the first network domain.

In a possible design, the first border transport device communicates with the first border device based on a control protocol in a network layer or a data link layer.

In another implementation, the receiving module1201and the sending module1202inFIG.12may be replaced with a transceiver, and the processing module1203may be replaced with a processor. Functions of the receiving module1201and the sending module1202may be integrated into the transceiver, and functions of the processing module1203may be integrated into the processor. Further, the first border transport device120shown inFIG.12may further include a memory. When the receiving module1201and the sending module1202are replaced with the transceiver, and the processing module1203is replaced with the processor, the first border transport device120in this embodiment of this application may be the communications apparatus shown inFIG.2.

An embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable storage medium. All or some of the processes in the foregoing method embodiments may be completed by a computer program instructing related hardware. The program may be stored in the foregoing computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, the processes of the foregoing method embodiments may be performed. The computer-readable storage medium may be an internal storage unit of a terminal (including a data transmit end and/or a data receive end) in any one of the foregoing embodiments, for example, a hard disk or a memory of the terminal. Alternatively, the computer-readable storage medium may be an external storage device of the terminal, for example, a plug-in hard disk, a smart media card (SMC), a secure digital (SD) card, a flash card, or the like that is provided on the terminal. Further, the computer-readable storage medium may alternatively include both the internal storage unit and the external storage device of the terminal. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store the computer program and other programs and data that are required by the terminal. The computer-readable storage medium may be further configured to temporarily store data that has been output or is to be output.

It should be noted that, in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application, the terms “first”, “second”, and so on are intended to distinguish between different objects but do not indicate a particular order. In addition, the terms “including” and “having” and any other variants thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, a method, a system, a product, or a device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally further includes an unlisted step or unit, or optionally further includes another inherent step or unit of the process, the method, the product, or the device.

It should be understood that, in this application, “at least one (item)” means one or more, “a plurality of” means two or more, “at least two (items)” means two, three, or more, and “and/or” is used to describe an association relationship between associated objects, and indicates that there may be three relationships. For example, “A and/or B” may indicate that only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist, where A and B may be singular or plural. The character “/” generally indicates an “or” relationship between the associated objects. “At least one 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 (piece) of a, b, or 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.

Based on the foregoing descriptions of the implementations, a person skilled in the art may clearly understand that for the purpose of convenient and brief descriptions, division into the foregoing functional modules is merely used as an example for descriptions. During actual application, the foregoing functions can be allocated to different functional modules for implementation based on a requirement, in other words, an inner structure of an apparatus is divided into different functional modules to implement all or a part of the functions described above.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented in other manners. For example, the described apparatus embodiments are merely examples. For example, the division into modules or units is merely logical function division and may be other division during actual implementation. For example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another apparatus, or some features may be ignored or not performed. 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.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may be one or more physical units, in other words, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on different places. Some or all of the units may be selected based on actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solutions of embodiments.

In addition, function units in embodiments of this application may be integrated into one processing unit, each of the units may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit may be implemented in a form of hardware, or may be implemented in a form of a software function unit.

When the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the integrated unit may be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solutions of this application essentially, or the part contributing to the prior art, or all or some of the technical solutions may be implemented in the form of a software product. The software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a device (which may be a single-chip microcomputer, a chip or the like) or a processor (processor) to perform all or some of the steps of the methods described in 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 ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

The foregoing descriptions are only specific implementations of this application, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of this application. Any variation or replacement within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.