CN113282410A

CN113282410A - Resource allocation method and device

Info

Publication number: CN113282410A
Application number: CN202110528161.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈婉珺; 马泽芳
Original assignee: China United Network Communications Group Co Ltd
Current assignee: China United Network Communications Group Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-05-14
Filing date: 2021-05-14
Publication date: 2021-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 2041-05-14
Also published as: CN113282410B

Abstract

The application discloses a resource configuration method and device, relates to the technical field of communication, and is used for flexibly configuring resources of a UPF (unified power flow) and external equipment. The resource configuration device comprises a hardware resource pool, the hardware resource pool comprises a plurality of types of hardware, and the method comprises the following steps: the resource allocation device receives first allocation information, wherein the first allocation information is used for indicating a first hardware resource allocated by a user for a target user plane network element, and the first hardware resource is a device in a hardware resource pool; the resource allocation device acquires the resource utilization rate of a target user plane network element and the utilization rate of a first hardware resource; and the resource configuration device adjusts the first configuration information according to the resource utilization rate of the target user plane network element and the utilization rate of the first hardware resource. The embodiment of the application is applied to a data UPF processing process.

Description

Resource allocation method and device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of data processing technologies, and in particular, to a resource allocation method and apparatus.

Background

A user plane function network element (UPF) is used as a key network element of a 5G core network, and carries important functions of user data processing and forwarding. With the commercial advance of 5G, the application requirements of enhanced mobile broadband (Embb)/high-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) such as 4K/8K high-definition video, cloud games, remote driving, industrial control and the like are also pressing day by day, and they put forward the requirements of ultra-low latency and ultra-high bandwidth to the network. These performance requirements are closely related to the UPF, which is required to provide efficient data processing and forwarding.

With the increasing number of user terminals, the load of the UPF is also increasing. In order to reduce the load of the UPF, the load of the UPF may be shared by an external device (e.g., an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) chip or a smart card). However, how to reasonably use the resources of the UPF and the external device becomes an urgent problem to be solved.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a resource configuration method and device, which are used for flexibly configuring UPF and resources of external equipment.

In order to achieve the purpose, the following technical scheme is adopted in the application:

in a first aspect, a resource configuration method is provided, which is applied to a resource configuration apparatus, where the resource configuration apparatus includes a hardware resource pool, and the hardware resource pool includes multiple types of hardware, and the method includes: the resource allocation device receives first allocation information, wherein the first allocation information is used for indicating a first hardware resource allocated by a user for a target user plane network element, and the first hardware resource is a device in a hardware resource pool; the resource allocation device acquires the resource utilization rate of a target user plane network element and the utilization rate of a first hardware resource; and the resource configuration device adjusts the first configuration information according to the resource utilization rate of the target user plane network element and the utilization rate of the first hardware resource.

Based on the technical solution of the first aspect, after receiving the configuration information from the user, the resource configuration device may adjust the configuration information based on the resource usage rate of the UPF and the hardware usage rate in the hardware resource pool, so that the adjusted hardware may reasonably use the resources of the external device (e.g., the hardware resource pool) under the condition that the adjusted hardware may share the functions of the UPF.

In a second aspect, a resource configuration apparatus is provided, where the resource configuration apparatus includes a hardware resource pool including a plurality of types of hardware, and further includes a communication unit and a processing unit;

a communication unit, configured to receive first configuration information, where the first configuration information is used to indicate a first hardware resource configured by a user for a target user plane network element, and the first hardware resource is a resource of a hardware resource pool;

the communication unit is further used for acquiring the resource utilization rate of the target user plane network element and the utilization rate of the first hardware resource;

and the processing unit is used for adjusting the first configuration information according to the resource utilization rate of the target user plane network element and the utilization rate of the first hardware resource.

In a third aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, implement the method of the first aspect.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising computer instructions which, when run on a resource configuration apparatus, cause the detection apparatus to perform the resource configuration method according to the first aspect and any one of its possible design approaches (or implementations).

In a fifth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip comprising at least one processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to execute computer programs or instructions to implement the method of the first aspect.

In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, including: a processor, a memory, and a communication interface; wherein, the communication interface is used for the communication device to communicate with other equipment or networks; the memory is for storing one or more programs, the one or more programs including computer executable instructions, which when executed by the communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method of the first aspect.

The communication device, the computer-readable storage medium, the computer program product, or the chip provided above are all configured to execute the corresponding method provided above, and therefore, the beneficial effects achieved by the communication device, the computer-readable storage medium, the computer program product, or the chip may refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding schemes in the corresponding methods provided above, and are not described herein again.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a switch-based UPF according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a server-based UPF according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic architecture diagram of a resource allocation system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a resource allocation method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 60 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" or "e.g.," is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word "exemplary" or "such as" is intended to present concepts related in a concrete fashion.

For the convenience of clearly describing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same functions and actions, and those skilled in the art can understand that the terms "first" and "second" are not used to limit the quantity and execution order.

To relieve the stress of the UPF, the 5G core network may share the functions of the UPF through external devices. Such as switch-based UPF architectures and server-based UPF architectures. Among them, the UPF architecture based on the switch mainly shares some functions of the UPF through an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) chip. The server-based UPF architecture shares some functions of the UPF mainly through an intelligent network card (e.g., a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)).

In an example, as shown in fig. 1, a schematic diagram of a switch-based UPF architecture is provided in an embodiment of the present application. The switch-based architecture may include a UPF, LINUX-based operating system, X86 CPU and ARMCPU, and an ASIC chip disposed on the bottom layer.

The LINUX-based operating system can be used for developing a software-implemented UPF-based interface session management function. The ASIC chip may be used to implement the actual routing switching and packet forwarding in the UPF. For example, the UPF may call an X86 CPU or an ARM CPU to implement the UPF external maintenance of the N4 interface and the management functions of the user session. For a more complex Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) function, an X86 CPU or an ARM CPU is also required to perform DPI analysis on a data packet first to obtain source Internet Protocol (IP) address information and destination IP address information of the data packet. And then, the source IP address information and the destination IP address information of the data packet are sent to the ASIC chip. The ASIC chip can forward the data packet according to the source IP address information and the destination IP address information of the data packet.

The UPF based on the switch architecture has the advantages that the ASIC chip arranged at the bottom layer has strong forwarding capability and high cost performance. Particularly, in the case of mass production, the cost performance advantage of the ASIC chip is more prominent. However, the CPU capability of the UPF architecture based on the switch is weak, and some complex functions are difficult to realize for the UPF. For example, for some services that have a short single service flow and require DPI analysis, the CPU of the UPF based on the switch cannot well meet the requirement due to the high ratio of packet DPI analysis.

In addition, ASIC chips have poor programmability, and the capability of UPF is still expanding with the development of networks. For example, UPF may be fused with a virtual broadband access server (vBAS) in a fixed network, a firewall, or other partial edge computing capability, serving a variety of functions such as graphics rendering, sensitive field statistics, redirection, etc. However, the ASIC chip is a chip designed with a design purpose taken into consideration, that is, the function of the ASIC chip is determined when it is initially designed. It is relatively difficult to subsequently add or extend other new functionality to the ASIC chip. Therefore, the subsequent upgrade evolution of the UPF based on the ASIC chip is very difficult, and the cost is higher when a new chip is redeveloped.

In another example, as shown in fig. 2, a schematic diagram of a server-based architecture provided in the embodiment of the present application is shown. The server-based UPF architecture may include a UPF, a LINUX OS-based operating system, a server provided with an X86 Central Processing Unit (CPU) or ARM CPU, and an intelligent network card.

Among them, a server provided with an X86 CPU or an ARM CPU can be used to implement a session management function of UPF and a dpi function. However, the UPF, as a core network element unique to the 5G user plane, needs to perform management and maintenance of user sessions and DPI (packet data interface) loading and unloading of data packets, and also needs a great data packet forwarding processing capability. There may be a lot of data packets, and complex analysis such as DPI detection is not needed, and the UPF may forward the data packets according to basic information such as simple source IP address information and destination IP address information. If each data packet is processed and forwarded by the CPU, the load of the CPU is greatly increased, and the performance of the equipment is influenced.

The UPF based on the server is mostly provided with an intelligent network card at present, and the mainstream intelligent network card is realized based on the FPGA. Of course, there are also smart network cards based on ASICs or FPGAs in combination with ASICs. The UPF unloads the datagram which does not need to be subjected to complex analysis to the intelligent network card for rapid forwarding through the intelligent network cards, so that the forwarding efficiency of the UPF is improved on one hand, and the load of a CPU is reduced at the same time.

Although the programmable capability of the FPGA is strong, the subsequent expansion of the UPF function is more convenient. However, when the chip is designed at first, the number of functions of the shared UPF is small, and hardware waste caused by subsequent programming is difficult to avoid, and the cost of the FPGA is usually higher than that of the ASIC of the same type, so the manufacturing cost is high.

In view of this, the present application provides a configuration system based on a hardware resource pool (which may also be referred to as a resource configuration device, and hereinafter, for convenience of description, collectively referred to as a resource configuration device). As shown in FIG. 3, the resource configuration system may include a plurality of UPFs (e.g., UPFs 1-UPFn in the figure), an operating system, a hardware resource pool, and a UPF hardware configuration system.

Wherein, a plurality of UPFs can access the operating system through the API interface. Each of the plurality of UPFs may invoke hardware resources of a hardware resource pool for sharing some functions of the UPF.

Wherein the operating system may be used to provide a runtime environment for the hardware in the hardware resource pool. The operating system may be a LINUX OS operating system, or may be another operating system, without limitation.

For example, the hardware resources of the hardware resource pool may include different types of hardware such as a CPU, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), an ASIC chip, and the like. The number of each type of hardware may be plural. Each hardware resource may process data for multiple UPFs. Multiple pieces of hardware of the same type may have different serial numbers.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment of the present application, the hardware resource of the UPF calling hardware resource pool may refer to that the UPF uses a resource in the hardware resource pool to process data of the user plane. Such as packet forwarding, DPI detection, etc.

Wherein the UPF hardware configuration system may be configured to allocate resources for each UPF. For example, resources in a hardware resource pool are allocated.

In one example, a UPF hardware configuration system may include a user configuration unit, a hardware decision unit, and a hardware management unit.

The user configuration unit may be configured to receive configuration information input by a user and configure a resource according to the configuration information of the user. The configuration information may be used to indicate the type and number of hardware resources in the hardware resource pool.

The hardware decision unit may be configured to determine a hardware resource configuration policy configured for the UPF finally according to configuration information input by a user and a hardware state in the hardware resource pool. The hardware resource allocation policy may specifically refer to the following description of the embodiment in fig. 5, and is not repeated.

For example, the hardware decision unit may also include one or more memory units. The one or more storage units may be used to store configuration information entered by a user and a hardware state of the hardware resource pool. The hardware decision unit may also comprise a calculation unit. The computing unit may be configured to determine a hardware resource policy that is finally configured for the UPF according to configuration information input by a user and a hardware state of the hardware resource pool.

The hardware management unit may be configured to load an application program corresponding to the hardware and network element information of the UPF according to a hardware resource policy finally configured for the UPF, so that the hardware may execute a function of the UPF, or the UPF may perform data processing using the hardware.

And the application program corresponding to the hardware can be used for calling the hardware by the UPF. That is, the hardware after the application is loaded can be directly called by the UPF.

The network element information of the UPF may be used to indicate to establish a corresponding relationship between the UPF and the hardware. The network element information of the UPF may include an identifier of the UPF, a communication operator to which the UPF belongs, and the like.

For example, when the hardware management unit configures the GPU for the UPF1, the hardware management unit needs to download and install an application program corresponding to the GPU and network element information for configuring the UPF1 for the GPU based on the operating system. In this way, the hardware management unit may establish a correspondence between the GPU and the UPF1 when loading the application corresponding to the GPU and the network element information of the UPF1, so that the UPF1 uses the GPU for data processing. For example, data processing such as video encoding and decoding, deep learning, and scientific calculation may be performed.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, after a plurality of pieces of hardware in the hardware resource pool are installed, and after the resource management system needs to receive a registration request of the hardware, a driver of the hardware is loaded to activate the hardware. After loading the driver, one hardware in the hardware resource pool can only share the function of the same UPF.

Based on the system in fig. 3, an embodiment of the present application further provides a resource allocation method, which is applied to the resource allocation apparatus, and the method includes: the resource configuration device receives first configuration information input by a user and acquires the resource utilization rate of the UPF and the hardware utilization rate of the hardware resource pool; and the resource configuration device adjusts the first configuration information according to the resource utilization rate of the UPF and the hardware utilization rate of the hardware resource pool. The adjusted first configuration information may be used to indicate hardware resources in a hardware resource pool configured for the UPF. In this way, after receiving the configuration information from the user, the resource configuration device may adjust the configuration information based on the resource usage rate of the UPF and the hardware usage rate in the hardware resource pool, so that the adjusted hardware may reasonably use the resources of the external device (e.g., the hardware resource pool) while sharing the functions of the UPF.

As shown in fig. 4, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus 400. The communication device 400 may be a chip or a system on a chip in a resource configuration device. As shown in fig. 4, the communication device 400 includes a processor 401, a communication interface 402, and a communication line 403.

Further, the communication device 400 may also include a memory 404. The processor 401, the memory 404 and the communication interface 402 may be connected by a communication line 403.

The processor 401 may be a CPU, a general purpose processor Network (NP), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 401 may also be other means having processing functionality, such as, without limitation, a circuit, a device, or a software module.

A communication interface 302 for communicating with other devices or other communication networks. The other communication network may be an ethernet, a Radio Access Network (RAN), a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), or the like. The communication interface 402 may be a module, a circuit, a communication interface, or any device capable of enabling communication.

A communication line 403 for transmitting information between the respective components included in the communication apparatus 400.

A memory 404 for storing instructions. Wherein the instructions may be a computer program.

The memory 404 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and/or instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and/or instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disc storage medium or other magnetic storage devices, and the like, without limitation.

It is noted that the memory 404 may exist separately from the processor 401 or may be integrated with the processor 401. The memory 404 may be used for storing instructions or program code or some data or the like. The memory 404 may be located within the communication device 400 or may be located outside the communication device 400, without limitation. A processor 401 configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory 404 to implement the method for determining the antenna parameter provided in the following embodiments of the present application.

In one example, processor 401 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in fig. 4.

As an alternative implementation, the communication device 400 includes multiple processors, for example, the processor 407 may be included in addition to the processor 401 in fig. 4.

As an alternative implementation, the communication apparatus 400 further includes an output device 405 and an input device 406. Illustratively, the input device 406 is a keyboard, mouse, microphone, or joystick, among other devices, and the output device 405 is a display screen, speaker (spaker), among other devices.

It is noted that the communication apparatus 400 may be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a network server, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal, an embedded device, a chip system or a device with a similar structure as that in fig. 3. Further, the constituent structure shown in fig. 3 does not constitute a limitation of the terminal device, and the terminal device may include more or less components than those shown in fig. 3, or combine some components, or a different arrangement of components, in addition to the components shown in fig. 3.

In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices.

The resource allocation method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to the drawings of the specification.

As shown in fig. 5, a resource allocation method provided in an embodiment of the present application may include:

step 501, the resource allocation device receives first allocation information.

Wherein, the resource configuration device may be the resource configuration device of fig. 3, or may have the structure of fig. 4, or may have a partial structure of fig. 4. For example, the resource configuration means may have the hardware resource pool of fig. 3.

The first configuration information may be used to indicate a first hardware resource configured for the target UPF by the user. For example, the first configuration information may include network element information of the target UPF, an identification (e.g., CPU, GPU) of a plurality of hardware resources configured for the target UPF, and a corresponding number. The plurality of hardware resources may be hardware resources in a hardware resource pool. The target UPF may be any one of the UPFs in fig. 3, for example, may be UPF1 or UPFn, without limitation.

It should be noted that the hardware resource in the first configuration information refers to hardware that can be called. That is, the hardware resource in the first configuration information is a hardware resource to which a driver has been loaded. In addition, if the hardware resource included in the first configuration information does not exist in the hardware resource pool, the resource configuration device may output a notification message for notifying the newly added hardware resource, so that the communication operator may add the hardware to the hardware resource pool. Or, if the hardware resource included in the first configuration information in the hardware resource pool is in an idle state, the resource configuration device may load the application program of the hardware in the first configuration information. The resource allocation information may be stored with a plurality of hardware applications in advance. Alternatively, the resource configuration information may also be obtained from other devices, for example, from a network element of a core network, or downloaded from a network, without limitation.

In a possible implementation manner, the resource configuration apparatus may store hardware resource information that can be called by a plurality of UPFs. Such as the serial number of the hardware. For example, the hardware resource information that the UPFs can call may be stored in the form of a table or array. Therefore, the resource configuration device can quickly and accurately determine the corresponding hardware resource information according to the UPF.

In one example, the first configuration information may be configured as UPFn-A-X. Where "UPFn" indicates the target UPF, "A" indicates the hardware name, and "X" indicates the hardware serial number. For example, the first configuration information includes UPF1-CPU-1, UPF1-GPU-2, and UPF1-GPU-3, which indicates that the hardware resources configured for UPF1 by the first configuration information are CPU with serial number 1 and GPU with serial numbers 2 and 3. That is, the first configuration information includes 1 CPU and 2 GPUs.

In one possible implementation, the user may input the first configuration information via an input device of the UPF hardware configuration system. For example, the user may input the first configuration information through the user configuration unit. Correspondingly, the resource configuration device receives the first configuration information from the UPF hardware configuration system.

Step 502, the resource allocation device obtains the resource utilization rate of the target UPF and the utilization rate of the first hardware resource.

The resource utilization rate of the target UPF refers to the hardware resource utilization rate of the target UPF. For example, the hardware resource of the target UPF may refer to the CPU of the target UPF itself.

It should be noted that, in the case that the target UPF is configured with a plurality of different types of hardware, the hardware usage rate of the target UPF may refer to an average value or a weighted average value or a median value of the plurality of different types of hardware usage rates.

Further, to relieve computational pressure, the usage of the target UPF may be the hardware usage in an operational state.

The usage rate of the first hardware resource may refer to a current usage condition of the first hardware resource. For example, if the first hardware resource includes 2 GPUs, the utilization rate of the first hardware resource refers to an average of current utilization rates of the 2 GPUs. For another example, if the first hardware resource includes 1 GPU and 1 and a CPU, the usage rate of the first hardware resource refers to the current usage rate of the GPU, the average value, the weighted average value, the maximum value, or the minimum value of the current usage rate of the CPU.

Step 503, the resource configuration device adjusts the first configuration information according to the resource utilization rate of the target UPF and the utilization rate of the first hardware resource.

The adjusted first configuration information can meet the use requirement of the target UPF and is matched with the hardware state in the hardware resource pool. The adaptation with the hardware state means that the current utilization rate of the hardware is within a preset range. The preset range can be set according to needs and is not limited.

The adjusting the first configuration information may refer to modifying the first configuration information. Adjusting the first configuration information may include adding hardware resources of the target UPF, deleting an application of the first hardware resources, and adding an application of the second hardware resources. The second hardware resource is a newly added hardware resource of the target UPF by the resource configuration device.

In one example, the resource configuration means may modify the identity, number of hardware in the first configuration information. In this way, the target UPF may invoke the resource according to the modified first configuration information.

For example, the first configuration information includes UPF1-CPU-1, UPF1-GPU-2, and UPF1-GPU-3, where CPU-1 is the CPU configured by UPF1 itself, and GPU-2 and GPU-3 are the GPUs in the hardware resource pool. The modified first configuration information may include UPF1-CPU-2, UPF 1-GPU-2. That is, CPU-2 configured with UPF1 itself is used to replace CPU-1 and GPU-3 is deleted. Wherein, deleting the GPU-3 may refer to deleting the application program of the GPU-3.

Further, the target UPF may configure the hardware resource for the target UPF according to the modified first configuration information.

In a possible implementation manner, the resource configuration device may determine whether the resource usage rate of the target UPF and the usage rate of the first hardware resource exceed preset thresholds. If yes, adjusting the first configuration information; and if not, configuring the hardware resources for the target UPF according to the first configuration information.

The preset threshold may be set as needed, for example, the preset threshold may be a threshold of a user through an input device of the resource configuration device. For example, the preset threshold corresponding to the resource usage rate of the target UPF may be 20% or 90%, and the preset threshold corresponding to the first hardware usage rate may be 30% or 80%, without limitation.

Furthermore, the hardware resources of the hardware resource pool are configured for the target UPF by the manager conveniently. In the embodiment of the application, the resource allocation device can detect the utilization rate of each hardware resource after acquiring the preset threshold corresponding to each hardware resource in the hardware resource pool. For example, the resource allocation device may randomly or periodically detect the usage of each hardware resource. When the usage rate of the hardware resource is high (e.g., greater than 80%), the resource configuration means may output notification information indicating that the load of the hardware resource is high. When the usage rate of the hardware resource is low (e.g., less than 20%), the resource configuration means may output notification information indicating that the load of the hardware resource is low. Therefore, when the manager configures the hardware resources for the target UPF, the manager can flexibly select the available hardware resources according to the notification message output by the resource configuration device.

Next, the step 503 will be described with reference to the plurality of preset thresholds.

If the resource utilization rate of the UPF is less than 20%, this means that the load of the target UPF is small.

1. If the load of the target UPF is small, the resource allocation device may delete the driver and the application program of the first hardware if the usage rate of the first hardware is less than 30%. As such, the first hardware may be made idle.

It should be noted that the hardware in the idle state may be called by other UPFs. For example, the resource configuration device may load the corresponding application program and the network element information of the other UPFs for the hardware in the idle state. Thus, other UPFs can use the hardware for data processing.

Further, before deleting the application program of the first hardware resource, if the first hardware resource is performing data processing, the resource allocation device may continue to perform data processing using the first hardware resource until the first hardware resource finishes processing data.

For example, the first configuration information includes UPF1-CPU-1, UPF1-GPU-2, and UPF 1-GPU-3. If the resource utilization rate of the UPF1 is less than 20% and the utilization rate of the first hardware resource is less than 30%, the resource allocation device may delete the driver and the application program of the CPU-1. Thus, the adjusted first configuration information may be UPF1-GPU-2 and UPF 1-GPU-3.

2. In the case where the load of the target UPF is small, if the first hardware usage rate is greater than 80%, this means that the load of the first hardware resource is large. In the case that the load of the first hardware resource is large, the resource configuration device may add one or more first hardware resources for the UPF.

It should be noted that the one or more newly added first hardware resources may be the first hardware resources in the idle state.

For example, taking the first hardware resource as the GPU, GPU-4 and GPU-5 in the hardware resource pool are both in the idle state. The resource configuration device can load the corresponding application program and the network element information of the target UPF for the GPU-4 and/or the GPU-5, so that the target UPF can use the GPU-4 and/or the GPU-5 for data processing.

3. If the load of the target UPF is small, if the first hardware usage rate is greater than or equal to 30% and less than or equal to 80%, it means that the first hardware resource can normally perform data processing. In this case, the resource configuring means may configure the hardware resource for the target UPF according to the first configuration information.

And secondly, if the resource utilization rate of the target UPF is more than 90%, the resource load of the target UPF is larger. When the resource load of the target UPF is large, the resource configuration device may add a new hardware resource to the target UPF.

In one example, if the target UPF is pre-configured with hardware in an idle state, the resource configuration device may load an application program of the hardware; if the target UPF has no hardware in the idle state, the resource configuration device may input the first notification information. The first notification information may be used to notify the addition of hardware for the target UPF. For example, the first notification information may include an identification (e.g., serial number) of the target UPF and the type and amount of hardware that needs to be added.

Further, in response to the operation of adding the hardware resource to the target UPF, the resource configuration apparatus may load a corresponding driver and a corresponding software program according to the newly added hardware type, so that the hardware resource on which the driver and the software program are loaded may have the function of the target UPF.

Further, in response to an operation of adding a hardware resource to the hardware resource pool, the resource allocation apparatus may load a driver of the response according to the type of the newly added hardware, so as to activate the newly added hardware resource.

And thirdly, if the resource utilization rate of the target UPF is more than or equal to 20 percent, or less than or equal to 90 percent, the target UPF can normally process data. The resource configuration device may configure the hardware resource for the target UPF according to the first configuration information, in a case where the target UPF can normally perform data processing.

Based on the technical scheme of fig. 5, after receiving the configuration information from the user, the resource configuration device may adjust the configuration information based on the resource usage rate of the UPF and the hardware usage rate in the hardware resource pool, so that the adjusted hardware may reasonably use the resources of the external device (e.g., the hardware resource pool) under the condition that the adjusted hardware may share the functions of the UPF.

In a possible implementation manner, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include:

the resource configuration device receives a data processing request from a target UPF, wherein the data processing request is used for requesting to process first data; the resource allocation device processes the first data using the adjusted hardware resource.

In one application scenario, the target UPF receives data from other network elements that needs to be processed, for example, the data needs to be DPI inspected. In order to process the data quickly, the target UPF may forward the data to the adjusted hardware resource through the API interface, so that the adjusted hardware resource may process the data.

Based on the possible implementation mode, the target UPF can process data by using hardware resources in the hardware resource pool, and the pressure of the target UPF is relieved.

In another possible implementation manner, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include:

and if the hardware resource pool does not have the hardware resource indicated by the first configuration information, the resource configuration device outputs a second notification message.

Wherein the second notification message may be used to indicate the hardware resource that cannot be configured. For example. The second notification message may include an identification of the hardware resource that is not configurable. In this case, the administrator may add new hardware resources to the hardware resource pool.

Further, in this embodiment of the application, in response to an operation of adding new hardware to the hardware resource pool, the resource configuration device may obtain a driver and an application program of the new hardware. Therefore, under the condition that the newly added hardware needs to be called subsequently, the resource configuration device can reduce the calling time according to the drive and the application program of the newly added hardware.

All the schemes in the above embodiments of the present application can be combined without contradiction.

In the embodiment of the present application, the resource configuration apparatus may be divided into the functional modules or the functional units according to the above method examples, for example, each functional module or functional unit may be divided corresponding to each 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 or a functional unit. The division of the modules or units in the embodiment of the present application is schematic, and is only a logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

In the case of dividing each functional module according to each function, fig. 6 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 60, where the communication device 60 may be a resource allocation device, or may be a chip applied to the resource allocation device, and the communication device 60 may be configured to execute the functions of the resource allocation device in the above-described embodiments. The communication device 60 shown in fig. 6 may include: a communication unit 602, a processing unit 601, and a hardware resource pool 603.

A communication unit 602, configured to receive first configuration information, where the first configuration information is used to indicate that a user is a first hardware resource configured for a target user plane network element, and the first hardware resource is a resource in a hardware resource pool.

The communication unit 602 is further configured to obtain a resource usage rate of the target user plane network element and a resource usage rate of the first hardware.

The processing unit 601 is configured to adjust the first configuration information according to a resource usage rate of the target user plane network element and a resource usage rate of the first hardware.

The specific implementation manner of the communication device 60 may refer to the behavior function of the resource allocation device in the resource allocation method shown in fig. 5.

In one possible design, the communication device 60 shown in fig. 6 may further include a storage unit 604. The memory unit 604 is used for storing program codes and instructions.

In one possible design, the processing unit 601 is specifically configured to: judging whether the resource utilization rate of the target user plane network element and the utilization rate of the first hardware resource exceed a preset threshold value or not; and if so, adjusting the first configuration information.

In one possible design, the processing unit 601 is further configured to: and if the resource utilization rate of the target user plane network element and the utilization rate of the first hardware resource do not exceed a preset threshold value, performing resource configuration on the target user plane network element according to the first configuration information.

In one possible design, adjusting the first configuration information includes: and adding one or more of the hardware resources of the target user plane network element, deleting the application program of the first hardware resource and adding the application program of the second hardware resource, wherein the second hardware resource is the newly added hardware resource of the target user plane network element.

As yet another implementable manner, the processing unit 601 in fig. 6 may be replaced by a processor, which may integrate the functions of the processing unit 601. The communication unit 602 in fig. 6 may be replaced by a transceiver or transceiver unit, which may integrate the functionality of the communication unit 602.

Further, when the processing unit 601 is replaced by a processor and the communication unit 602 is replaced by a transceiver or a transceiver unit, the communication device 60 according to the embodiment of the present application may be the communication device shown in fig. 2.

The embodiment of the application also provides a computer readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments may be performed by relevant hardware instructed by a computer program, which may be stored in the above computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, may include the processes in the above method embodiments. The computer readable storage medium may be an internal storage unit of the communication device (including the data sending end and/or the data receiving end) of any previous embodiment, such as a hard disk or a memory of the communication device. The computer readable storage medium may also be an external storage device of the terminal device, such as a plug-in hard disk, a Smart Memory Card (SMC), a Secure Digital (SD) card, a flash memory card (flash card), and the like, which are provided on the terminal device. Further, the computer-readable storage medium may include both an internal storage unit and an external storage device of the communication apparatus. The computer-readable storage medium stores the computer program and other programs and data required by the communication apparatus. The above-described computer-readable storage medium may also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or is to be output.

It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" and the like in the description, claims and drawings of the present application are used for distinguishing different objects and not for describing a particular order. Furthermore, the terms "include" and "have," as well as any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not limited to only those steps or elements listed, but may alternatively include other steps or elements not listed, or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

It should be understood that in the present application, "at least one" means one or more, "a plurality" means two or more, "at least two" means two or three and three or more, "and/or" for describing an association relationship of associated objects, meaning that three relationships may exist, for example, "a and/or B" may mean: only A, only B and both A and B are present, wherein A and B may be singular or plural. The character "/" generally indicates that the former and latter associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "at least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item(s) or plural items. For example, at least one (one) of a, b, or c, may represent: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", wherein a, b, c may be single or plural.

Through the above description of the embodiments, it is clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and simplicity of description, the foregoing division of the functional modules is merely used as an example, and in practical applications, the above function distribution may be completed by different functional modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device may be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the above described functions.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the modules or units is only one logical functional division, and there may be other divisions when actually implemented, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or may be integrated into another device, or some features may be omitted, or not executed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may be one physical unit or a plurality of physical units, that is, may be located in one place, or may be distributed in a plurality of different places. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in a form of hardware, and can also be realized in a form of a software functional unit.

The integrated unit, if implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application may be essentially or partially contributed to by the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions may be embodied in the form of a software product, where the software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to enable a device (which may be a single chip, a chip, or the like) or a processor (processor) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: various media capable of storing program codes, such as a U disk, a removable hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

The above description is only an embodiment of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present disclosure should be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A resource allocation method is applied to a resource allocation device, the resource allocation device comprises a hardware resource pool, the hardware resource pool is provided with a plurality of types of hardware resources, and the method comprises the following steps:

the resource allocation device receives first allocation information, wherein the first allocation information is used for indicating a first hardware resource allocated by a user for a target user plane network element, and the first hardware resource is a resource in the hardware resource pool;

the resource allocation device acquires the resource utilization rate of the target user plane network element and the utilization rate of the first hardware resource;

and the resource configuration device adjusts the first configuration information according to the resource utilization rate of the target user plane network element and the utilization rate of the first hardware resource.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting, by the resource configuration device, the first configuration information according to the resource usage rate of the target user plane network element and the usage rate of the first hardware resource comprises:

the resource allocation device judges whether the resource utilization rate of the target user plane network element and the utilization rate of the first hardware resource exceed a preset threshold value or not;

and if so, adjusting the first configuration information by the resource configuration device.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

and if the resource utilization rate of the target user plane network element and the utilization rate of the first hardware resource do not exceed preset thresholds, the resource configuration device performs resource configuration on the target user plane network element according to the first configuration information.

4. The method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the adjusting the first configuration information comprises: and adding one or more of the hardware resources of the target user plane network element, deleting the application program of the first hardware resource and the network element information of the target user plane network element, and adding the application program of a second hardware resource, wherein the second hardware resource is the newly added hardware resource of the target user plane network element.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

the resource configuration device receives a data processing request from the target user plane network element, wherein the data processing request is used for requesting to process first data;

the resource configuration device processes the first data by using the adjusted hardware resource.

6. A resource allocation device is characterized in that the resource allocation device comprises a hardware resource pool, the hardware resource pool comprises multiple types of hardware resources, and the resource allocation device further comprises a communication unit and a processing unit;

the communication unit is configured to receive first configuration information, where the first configuration information is used to indicate a first hardware resource configured by a user for a target user plane network element, and the first hardware resource is a resource in the hardware resource pool;

the communication unit is further configured to obtain a resource usage rate of the target user plane network element and a usage rate of the first hardware resource;

the processing unit is configured to adjust the first configuration information according to a resource usage rate of the target user plane network element and a usage rate of the first hardware resource.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the processing unit is specifically configured to:

judging whether the resource utilization rate of the target user plane network element and the utilization rate of the first hardware resource exceed a preset threshold value or not;

and if so, adjusting the first configuration information.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:

and if the resource utilization rate of the target user plane network element and the utilization rate of the first hardware resource do not exceed preset thresholds, performing resource configuration on the target user plane network element according to the first configuration information.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6-8, wherein the adjusting the first configuration information comprises: and adding one or more of the hardware resources of the target user plane network element, deleting the application program of the first hardware resource and the network element information of the target user plane network element, and adding the application program of a second hardware resource, wherein the second hardware resource is the newly added hardware resource of the target user plane network element.

10. The apparatus of claim 9,

the communication unit is further configured to receive a data processing request from the target user plane network element, where the data processing request is used to request processing of first data;

the processing unit is further configured to process the first data using the adjusted hardware resource.

11. A computer program product comprising computer instructions which, when run on a resource configuration apparatus, cause the resource configuration apparatus to perform the resource configuration method of any one of claims 1-5.

12. A communications apparatus, comprising: a processor, a memory, and a communication interface; wherein, the communication interface is used for the communication device to communicate with other equipment or networks; the memory is used for storing one or more programs, the one or more programs include computer-executable instructions, and when the communication device runs, the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to enable the communication device to execute the resource allocation method of any one of claims 1 to 5.