This application provides a communication method and apparatus. In the method, a first network element creates a buffer queue based on a request of a second network element. Further, the first network element collects data of a corresponding type, sends data in the buffer queue to the second network element, and releases corresponding storage space after the second network element completes a data collection task. In this way, utilization of storage space of the first network element is improved, thereby resolving a problem in a conventional technology that the first network element needs to have a capability of relatively large storage space.