S121. The first network node sends the first message to the first system.
Specifically, because the first network node does not have some RRC functions, after receiving the first message, the first network node does not parse or change content of the first message, but performs corresponding processing on the first message by a protocol layer deployed on the first network node, and sends the first message to the first system via the F1 interface.
For example, after receiving the RRC connection resume request message, the DU processes the RRC connection resume request message and sends the message to the CU via the F1 interface. For example, the message is carried in an RRC container in an F1AP message (for example, an initial UE message or an initial UL RRC message).
S131. The first system sends a second message to the first network node based on the first message, where the second message is used to instruct the first network node to retrieve the context information of the terminal device that is stored at the first network node, and the second message includes identification information of the terminal device.
For example, after receiving the first message carried in an F1 interface message, the CU parses out the content of the message, so as to determine that the first message is a message used by the terminal device to request to resume an RRC connection, and further resume the RRC connection for the terminal device. If the RRC connection of the terminal device can be successfully resumed, an F1 interface control plane message is sent to the DU, to instruct the DU to find and use the context information of the terminal device that is stored at the DU, and resume the RRC connection of the terminal device.