The disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for configuring a relay node. A first node transmits to a second node a message that carries information on a radio bearer for a user accessing the second node. Configuration of the radio bearer for data transmission in a multi-hop network is realized through the above method and apparatus.