Communication method and network element device

An apparatus, comprising at least one processor coupled to at least one memory storing instructions and configured to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to:

• obtain integrity-protected attestation information, wherein the attestation information comprises an attestation result and range indication information associated with the attestation result, the attestation result indicates whether a first network function network element is trustworthy, the range indication information indicates a validity range of the attestation result, and the range indication information comprises an identifier of the first network function network element;
• generate a service request message when determining that a service provided by a second network function network element is to be requested, wherein the service request message comprises the attestation information and an identifier of the first network function network element;
• and
• send the service request message to the second network function network element.

An apparatus, comprising at least one processor coupled to at least one memory storing instructions and configured to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to:

• receive a service request message from a first network function network element, wherein the service request message is used to request a service, and the service request message comprises an identifier of the first network function network element;
• when the service request message further comprises integrity-protected attestation information, verify the integrity protection of the attestation information;
• and
• when the verification on the integrity protection of the attestation information succeeds, determine, based on the attestation information, whether to provide the service for the first network function network element.