JP2002215577A - Method and system for network application control, network application control program, and storage medium having network application control program stored thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network application control method by which a service quality level can be selected according to the service request level of a client to provide services. SOLUTION: A policy managing server which is connected to a network is provided, a client which is given a premium serving as preferential process requesting right sends a premium control signal to the policy managing server through a network, and the policy managing server instructs at least one of an application server and a gateway to change the priority of application execution according to the premium control signal, starts measuring a time limit, and instructs the application server or gateway instructed to change the priority to put the priority back after the lapse of the predetermined limited time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network application control method and system, and a storage medium storing a network application control program. The present invention relates to a network application control method and system for providing service quality, and a storage medium storing a network application control program.

More specifically, even when an application server that provides an application does not have a function of receiving the quality of service request from a client, the priority processing request right, that is, according to a request of a client to which a premium is given, The present invention relates to a server-client type network application control method and system capable of shortening a total delay (transfer) time including a network, and a storage medium storing a network application control program.

[0003]

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a conventional network application control method.

The system shown in FIG.
It comprises an IP network 2, a gateway 3, and an application server 4.

[0005] Subscripts given to the clients (terminals) 1 indicate identifiers of a plurality of clients.

[0006] The IP network 2 is a network controlled by the Internet protocol.

[0007] The gateway 3 is inserted into the system as required.

[0008] The application server 4 is a server that provides an application.

[0009] Each of the clients 1-1 to 1-n is connected to the IP network 2 and the application server 4 is connected to the IP network 2 via a gateway 3 as necessary.

Each of the clients 1-1 to 1-n communicates with the application server 4 via the IP network 2 and, if necessary, the gateway 3 using a known Internet protocol, and executes an application provided by the application server 4. use.

[0011]

However, as the above service providing method, which is known as a server-client type network, an application server receives a service request level of a client, and performs communication processing or the like in response to the service request level. Since there is no mechanism for giving priority to application processing, a plurality of service quality levels are selectively provided, such as providing a service having a higher quality level to a specific client having a premium, for example. Can not do. In other words, there is a problem that only a single quality of service level can be provided to all clients. Further, since the gateway uniformly processes clients with different service request levels, for example,
Even if the user desires a service level in which information passes through the IP network, that is, a short transfer time, there is a problem that the request cannot be met.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and uses an application server which does not have a mechanism for an application server to receive a service request level of a client and perform communication processing and application processing in response thereto. Even in a server-client type network application, a network application control method and system capable of providing a service by selecting a service quality level according to a service request level of a client, and a storage medium storing a network application control program are provided. The purpose is to provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a network application control method and system capable of controlling the route selection controlled by a gateway to reduce the time required for information to pass through a network, and a storage medium storing a network application control program. It is to provide.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention.

[0015] The present invention (claim 1) provides a server-client type network application composed of an application server connected to a network, with or without a client connected to the network, a gateway, In a network application control method for providing a higher quality of service to a specific client, a policy management server connected to a network is provided, and a client granted a premium which is a priority processing request right has a premium control. A signal is transmitted to the policy management server via the network (step 1), and the policy management server sends an application execution to at least one of the application server and the gateway based on the premium control signal. Instructs the change of the previous order,
Time measurement is started (steps 2 and 3), and when a predetermined time period elapses (step 4), an instruction is given to the application server or the gateway that instructed the change of the priority order to change the priority order back to the original. (Step 5).

According to the present invention (claim 2), the client
When starting use of an application used in a premium environment receiving advanced services, at least attribute information including the client address, a premium control request, and a premium control signal including an application designation are issued to the policy management server, The management server
Based on the premium control signal, the client is authenticated as to whether or not the client is authorized for the premium, and when the client is recognized as the authorized client, the content of the premium instruction to the application server based on the premium control signal Is determined, and the determined content is instructed to the application server, and the application server changes the processing priority based on the instruction content instructed by the policy management server.

According to the present invention (claim 3), the client
When starting to use the application used in the premium environment receiving the advanced service, at least attribute information including the client address and a premium control signal including the premium control request are issued to the policy management server, and the policy management server Based on the premium control signal, the client authenticates whether or not the client is authorized for the premium, and if it recognizes that the premium is an authorized client, the premium instruction to the gateway is performed based on the premium control signal. The content is determined, the determined content is instructed to the gateway, the gateway changes the route selection method based on the instruction content instructed from the policy management server, and the changed route selection method is changed from the gateway at the gateway. Client is connected Selecting a short path of the transfer time based on statistical measurements of the transfer time until the network.

According to the present invention (claim 4), the client
When starting use of an application used in a premium environment receiving advanced services, at least attribute information including the address of the client and a premium control signal including a premium control request are issued to the policy management server. Based on the premium control signal, the client authenticates whether or not the client is authorized for the premium, and if it recognizes that the premium is an authorized client, the premium instruction to the gateway is performed based on the premium control signal. The content is determined, the determined content is instructed to the gateway, and the gateway dynamically instructs the client on the application server address based on the instruction content instructed by the policy management server. from To dynamically change the address to be used in response to the shows.

According to the present invention (claim 5), the client
When starting use of an application used in a premium environment receiving advanced services, at least attribute information including the address of the client and a premium control signal including a premium control request are issued to the policy management server. Based on the premium control signal, the client authenticates whether or not the client is authorized for the premium, and if it recognizes that the premium is an authorized client, the premium instruction to the gateway is performed based on the premium control signal. Determine the content, and instruct the determined content to the gateway, the gateway, for at least one of the information transfer direction,
It has a priority buffer and a normal buffer. The priority buffer performs reading more frequently than the normal buffer, and selects which of the priority buffer and the normal buffer to use in accordance with an instruction from the policy management server to the gateway.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention.

According to the present invention (claim 6), the network 12
In a server-client type network application composed of an application server 14 connected to the network 12 with or without a client 11 connected to the network and a gateway 13, a higher level A network application control system for providing service quality, comprising: receiving a premium control signal from a client 11 granted a premium which is a priority processing request right via a network, and based on the premium control signal, At least one of the application server and the gateway is instructed to change the priority of application execution, and when a predetermined time period elapses, the application server 14 instructed to change the priority is executed. Others, instruction control means for instructing a change to undo the priority to the gateway 13 151
And a time limit measuring means 152 for measuring a time limit at the same time as instructing the change of the priority order.
5

According to the present invention (claim 7), the client 11
, When starting use of an application used in a premium environment for receiving advanced services, at least issuing to the policy management server 15 attribute information including the client address, a premium control request, and a premium control signal including an application designation The policy management server 15 has a means for performing authentication based on the premium control signal to determine whether or not the client is a client permitted for the premium, and a case where the policy management server 15 recognizes that the client is a client permitted for the premium. Has means for determining premium instruction contents for the application server 14 based on the premium control signal, and means for instructing the application server 14 of the determined contents. In the application server 14, the policy management server 15 Having means for changing the priority of a process based on the instruction contents indicated.

According to the present invention (claim 8), the client 11
Means for issuing, to the policy management server 15, at least a premium control signal including a premium control request and attribute information including an address of the client when starting use of an application used in a premium environment receiving advanced services. The policy management server 15 has a means for performing authentication based on the premium control signal as to whether or not the client is a client permitted for the premium. It has means for determining the premium instruction content for the gateway 13 based on the control signal, and means for instructing the gateway 13 on the determined content. In the gateway 13, based on the instruction content instructed from the policy management server 15, Change the route selection method, One route selection method after the change, the client 1 from the gateway 13 the gateway 13
1 has a means for selecting a path having a short transfer time based on a statistical measurement result of the transfer time to the network 12 to which 1 is connected.

According to the present invention (claim 9), the client 11
Means for issuing a premium control signal including at least attribute information including an address of the client 11 and a premium control request to the policy management server 15 when starting use of an application used in a premium environment receiving advanced services. And a means for dynamically changing an address to be used in response to an instruction from the policy management server 15. The policy management server 15 is a client to which a premium is permitted based on a premium control signal. Means for authenticating whether or not the premium is permitted, a means for determining a premium instruction content for the gateway 13 based on the premium control signal when the client is recognized as a premium control signal, and transmitting the determined content to the gateway 13. Means for instructing, a gateway In 3, based on the instruction content that has been designated by the policy management server 15 Client 1
1 has means for dynamically indicating the address of the application server 14. The present invention (claim 10)
When the client 11 starts using an application used in a premium environment receiving a high-level service, the client 11 issues at least the attribute control information including the address of the client 11 and the premium control signal including the premium control request to the policy management server 15. The policy management server 15 has a means for performing authentication based on the premium control signal to determine whether or not the client is a client permitted for the premium, and a case where the policy management server 15 recognizes that the client is a client permitted for the premium. Has a means for determining the premium instruction content for the gateway 13 based on the premium control signal, and a means for instructing the gateway 13 the determined content. In the gateway 13, at least one of the information transfer directions, Priority buffer and The priority buffer has a means for performing reading more frequently than the normal buffer, and selecting which of the priority buffer and the normal buffer is to be used in accordance with an instruction from the policy management server 15. .

[0025] The present invention (claim 11) is a server-client type comprising an application server and a policy management server connected to the network, with or without a client connected to the network and a gateway. In a network application, a storage medium that stores a network application control program mounted on the policy management server, and receives, via a network, a premium control signal from a client that has been granted a premium that is a priority processing request right. Based on the premium control signal, instruct at least one of the application server and the gateway to change the priority of application execution, and when a predetermined time period elapses,
An instruction control process that instructs the application server or gateway that instructed the change of the priority order to change the priority back to the original state, and a time measurement process that instructs the change of the priority and simultaneously measures the time period. Have.

According to the present invention (claim 12), in the instruction control process, a process of performing authentication based on a premium control signal to determine whether or not the client is a premium permitted client; If it is recognized that there is, the process includes determining a premium instruction content for the application server or the gateway based on the premium control signal, and instructing the application server or the gateway on the determined content.

[0027] The present invention (claim 13) is a server-client type comprising an application server and a policy management server connected to a network, with or without a client connected to the network and a gateway. In a network application, a storage medium storing a network application control program installed in the client, wherein the client, when starting to use an application used in a premium environment for receiving advanced services, at least A process for issuing a premium control signal including attribute information, a premium control request including an address, and an application designation to the policy management server, and an application based on the instruction content instructed by the gateway. With the process of dynamically indicating the address of Nsaba.

The present invention (claim 14) relates to a server-client type comprising an application server and a policy management server connected to a network, with or without a client connected to the network and a gateway. In a network application, a storage medium that stores a network application control program installed in the application server, and has a process of changing a processing priority based on the contents of an instruction from a policy management server.

The present invention (claim 15) provides a server-client type comprising an application server and a policy management server connected to a network, with or without a client connected to the network and a gateway. In a network application, a storage medium storing a network application control program mounted on the gateway, wherein a route selection method is changed based on an instruction content instructed from a policy management server, and the changed route selection method is The process of selecting a route with a short transfer time based on the statistical measurement result of the transfer time from the gateway to the network to which the client is connected at the gateway, and providing the client with the instruction based on the instruction content from the policy management server. versus A process for dynamically indicating the address of the application server, and a priority buffer and a normal buffer for at least one of the information transfer directions, wherein the priority buffer performs reading more frequently than the normal buffer, A process of selecting which of the priority buffer and the normal buffer to use in accordance with an instruction from the policy management server, and causing at least one of the processes to be executed.

As described above, the present invention is provided with a policy management server which is connected to a network, manages the priorities of communication and application processing, provides a gateway and an application server with a priority order, and permits a premium. Client (terminal)
When exercising the right, a premium control request indicating a premium exercise request is sent to the policy management server via the network, and the policy management server issues a premium control request to the gateway and the application server based on the reception result of the premium control request. Priority indication according to the content of the request (premium control)
I do.

Also, the premium control request is valid only for a predetermined time length, and the policy management server terminates the premium control after the lapse of the time, and changes the priority order before the premium control request is transmitted. Apply the timed control to return to.

As described above, according to the present invention, when a client desires a higher quality than the normally provided service quality, the client sends a premium control request to the policy management server, thereby allowing the policy management server to send the premium control request to the policy management server. It is possible to request a change in the priority of the communication between the gateway and the application server and the processing of the application.

The policy management server instructs the gateway and the application server on the priority of processing according to the contents of the request from the client. As a result, the client can obtain a service quality corresponding to the premium control request sent by the client.

As is clear from the above, the gateway and the application server do not need the function of receiving the premium control request from the client.

[0035]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 3 shows a system configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The system shown in FIG. 1 includes a client (terminal) 11 (however, a subscript indicates a client identifier) and an IP network 1 as an example of a network.
2. It is composed of a gateway 13, an application server 14, and a policy management server 15 inserted as needed.

In the above configuration, the application control signal 16 is a signal for controlling the priority of the processing of the application server 14, and includes information for specifying a client and priority information of the processing for the client. The gateway control signal 17 is a signal for controlling the order of priority of the processing of the gateway, and includes information for specifying a client and priority information of the processing for the client. The premium control request 18 shows an example issued from the client 11-1. The resource information 19 is used as needed.

Each of the clients 11-1 to 1-n and the policy management server 15 is connected to the IP network 12 via a known server (not shown) such as a WWW server, if necessary. The application server 14 is connected to the IP network 12 via a gateway 13 as needed.

The application server 14 performs processing based on the priority according to the specification of the application control signal 16 issued from the policy management server 15.

The gateway 13 is used for the policy management server 1
The processing is performed based on the priority according to the designation of the gateway control signal 17 issued from the gateway 5.

The policy management server 15 refers to gateway and network resource information 19 as needed.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 4 is a sequence chart for explaining the operation of the system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Clients who want a high quality of service,
For example, the client 11-1 issues a premium control signal 18 (step 101). The premium control signal 18 is transmitted to the policy management server 15 by a known Internet operation. Policy management server 1
5 determines priority processing based on the received premium control signal 18 by referring to the resource information 19, that is, the occupied state, as necessary (step 102). Instruct (step 103) or instruct the gateway 13 by the gateway control signal 17 (step 104).

The application server 14 changes the priority of application processing to a higher order in response to the instruction of the application server control signal 16 (step 105).

In response to the instruction from the gateway control signal 17, the gateway 13 changes the priority to a higher priority when transferring information (step 106).

By the above operation, the client 11-
1 can receive an advanced service specified by the premium control signal 18. Hereinafter, an environment in which such advanced services can be received is referred to as a premium environment.

After receiving the premium control request 18, the policy management server 15 sets a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as
After the elapse of the time period, the priority is notified to the application server 14 by the application server control signal 16 so as to return to the original order of the normal provision, and the gateway 13 is instructed by the gateway control signal 17.

In the above description, the policy management server 1
5 is the application server 14 and the gateway 1
Although the mode of controlling the priority order of both of them is described above, only one of them may be controlled.

The application server control signal 16 and the gateway control signal 17 may be transmitted via independent transmission paths or may be transmitted via the IP network 12, and the present invention restricts the above-mentioned restrictions by the transmission paths. I will not receive it.

Further, the policy management server 15 may be connected to the IP network 12 via the gateway 13.

The time limit is determined by the policy management server 15 to a predetermined value based on the client attribute information included in the premium control request 18. Furthermore,
The policy management server 15 may include the designation of the time limit in the premium control request 18, and determine the time limit according to the designation.

Further, the client 11-1 sends a premium control request 18 for extending the time limit or shortening including the time-out again before the time limit elapses, and the policy management server 15 responds to this request. The time limit may be extended or shortened. The policy management server 15 may accumulate the time limit or the time in the premium control state for each client or client group, and provide the information to a business entity that provides information for billing corresponding to the premium control. Good.

The policy management server 15 accepts the premium control request 18 in a known manner, for example, based on the client identification information, the client attribute information, the application designation information, etc. included in the premium control request, the reference information held by the policy management server 15 itself. And selectively.

The resource information indicates the occupied state of the gateway or the network. A known method, for example, the traffic state of the traffic on the IP network is as follows.
It can be known by using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol).

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 shows a system configuration according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example of priority processing of the application server 14. Note that FIG.
The same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing flow according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The premium control request 18 and the application server control signal 16 are shown in FIG.
Shows an example of the information of the main part included in each of them, and the connection configuration of each part is the same as that of FIG. 3 except that there is no gateway and gateway control signal.

The operation will be described with reference to these drawings.

When a client (terminal), for example, the client 11-1 starts using an application used in the premium environment (step 201), it issues a premium control signal 18 to the policy management server 15. The premium control signal 18 includes attribute information including the IP address of the client 11-1, a premium control request, and application designation.
5 receives the attribute information of the client 11 and
If necessary, authentication is performed as to whether or not the client is permitted to receive the premium based on the application designation (step 202). If it is authenticated that the premium is a permitted client, the resource information 1 as necessary
9. In the present embodiment, the policy management server 15 determines the premium instruction content (step 204) by mainly referring to the occupied or occupied state of the application server 14 (step 203). The application server sends the application server control signal 16 and starts monitoring the time limit (step 205).
The application server control signal 16 transmitted at this time includes information for identifying the client,
The application server 14 includes the IP address of the client, the contents of the premium control, for example, an instruction to increase the resource allocation, raise the priority, and the like.
Will follow these instructions to increase resource allocation,
The execution order of the application is raised (step 206). As a result, the client 11-1 can communicate with the application server 14 under the premium environment,
Also, the execution process of the application server 14 is prioritized (step 207).

As described in the above description, the policy management server 15 monitors the time limit. When the predetermined time elapses, the policy management server 15 sends the application server control signal 16 to the application server 14 again. Send out. The application server control signal 16 transmitted at this time includes, as information for identifying the client, the IP address of the client, a restoration instruction in the order of priority, or a priority corresponding to a restoration state instead of this. In accordance with this instruction, the application server 14 restores the original state of the resource allocation and the application execution order, that is, cancels the premium control.

As described above, the client 11 can obtain a premium environment by the premium control method shown in the present embodiment.

The application server 14 may provide a plurality of applications. In this case, instead of the method of directly specifying an application, a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) corresponding to the application, which is used in a known protocol, is used.
tocol) port number or UDP (User DatagramPr)
(otocol) It is also possible to specify the target application using the port number.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram according to a third embodiment of the present invention, showing an example of route control of an IP network. For example, it is assumed that the route is controlled using a known BGP4 protocol. The path control shows an example in which the transfer time of information from the gateway 13 to the client 11 is shortened.
It is the same as FIG. 3 except that there is no application control signal.

FIG. 8 shows a flow of processing in the third embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

When a client (terminal), for example, the client 11-1 starts using an application used in the premium environment (step 301), it issues a premium control signal 19 to the policy management server 15.
The premium control signal 18 is transmitted to the client 11-1 by the I
The policy management server 15 includes attribute information including a P address, a premium control request, and an application designation.
In response to this, based on the attribute information of the client and, if necessary, the application designation, the client authenticates whether or not the client is authorized for the premium (step 3).
02).

When the premium is permitted and the client is authenticated, the policy management server 15 determines the contents of the premium instruction, sends the gateway control signal 17 to the gateway 13 (step 30).
3), monitoring of the time limit is started (step 304).

At this time, the transmitted gateway control signal 17 includes, as information for identifying the client 11, the IP address of the client, the contents of the premium control, for example, the transfer of information from the gateway 13 to the client 11 to be provided. The gateway 13 includes an instruction such as a time target value, and the gateway 13 changes the route selection method according to the instruction (step 305).

Next, a specific example of the change of the route selection method will be described.

As is known, the gateway 13 uses the IET
F (Internet Engineering Task Force) standard RFC1771
BGP4 (Border Getway Protocol 4) specified in
By the procedure according to 40, it is possible to select a transmission path of information from the gateway 13 to a network to which the client 11 is connected (hereinafter, referred to as a target network).

The gateway can measure the transfer time of the information on the route from the gateway 13 to the target network by a known method, for example, ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol).

The gateway 13 measures the transfer time of the information obtained by the above-mentioned known method statistically, for example, as an average value for each path, and based on the measurement result, passes through the path with the short transfer time. , BGP4 to perform a transmission path change procedure. This procedure is performed at intervals smaller than the statistical value of the transfer time change cycle. If no change is required, this procedure can be omitted.

By changing the route selection method, the gateway 13 changes the destination network, that is, the client 11-
The transfer time of information up to 1 can be kept at a small value.

As a result, in response to the premium request from the client 11, the object of improving the service quality, that is, shortening the information transfer time and, as a result, shortening the information transfer time from the application server 14 to the client 11, is achieved. .

As described in the above description, the policy management server 15 monitors the time limit, and sends a gateway control signal 17 to the gateway 13 again after a predetermined time has elapsed. The gateway control signal 17 transmitted at this time includes, as information for identifying the client, an IP address of the client, information for returning the route selection method to the method before the change, and premium control release instruction information. , Gateway 1
3 returns the route selection method to the original state according to the instruction, that is, cancels the premium control (step 30).
7).

As described above, according to the premium control method shown in the present embodiment, the client 11
You can get a premium environment.

When selectively providing a premium environment to a plurality of applications, the policy management server 1
5 includes the TCP port number or the UDP port number corresponding to the application in the gateway control signal 17, and the gateway 13 changes the route selection method only for the port corresponding to the specified port number.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 9 shows a system configuration according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
1 shows an example of dynamically changing the IP address of the application server 14 serving as the application server 1. The gateway 13 issues an IP address specification 60 for specifying the IP address of the application server 14 to the client 11. The client 11 designates an IP address having a short transfer time from the destination network to which the client 11 is connected to the gateway 13.
The IP address of the application server 14 provided to the client 11 is changed from time to time (hereinafter, referred to as dynamically allocated) with the passage of time, and the destination network, that is, the client 11
From the gateway 13 to the gateway 13 can be shortened.

FIG. 10 shows a flow of a process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

After the client (terminal), for example, the client 11-1 starts using the application used in the premium environment, it starts to use the policy management server 1.
5 is the same as described in the third embodiment until the gateway control signal 17 is transmitted to the gateway 13 and the monitoring of the time limit is started (steps 401 to 404).

At this time, the transmitted gateway control signal 17 includes, as information for identifying the client 11-1, the IP address of the client 11-1 and the content of the premium control, for example, the target network to be provided, ie, The gateway 11 includes an instruction such as a target value of a transfer time of information from the client 11 to the gateway 13.
The IP address of the application server 14 to be provided to the server is dynamically changed by the IP address designation 60 (step 405).

Next, the dynamic change of the IP address specification 60 of the application server 14 provided to the client 11-1 will be specifically described.

The gateway may operate in a known manner, for example,
By ICMP, it is possible to measure the transfer time of the information on the route from the target network to which the client 11-1 is connected to the gateway.

The gateway 13 statistically measures the transfer time of the information obtained by the above-described known method, for example, as an average value for each path, and based on the measurement result, the IP that passes through the path with the short transfer time. An address is selected, and an IP address designation 60 is dynamically sent to the client 11-1, and the client 11-1 dynamically changes the IP address of the application server 14 to be used in response thereto.

By the IP address designation 60 of the application server 14 provided to the client 11, the transfer time of information from the destination network, that is, the information from the client 11-1 to the gateway 13, can be maintained at a small value.

As a result, in response to the premium request of the client 11-1, the purpose of improving the service quality is to shorten the information transfer time and, as a result, the information transfer time from the client 11-1 to the application server 14. Is achieved. The policy management server 15
As in the third embodiment described above, the time limit is monitored, and the gateway control signal 17 is transmitted to the gateway 13 again when a predetermined time has elapsed.
The gateway control signal 17 includes a premium control release instruction, and the gateway 13 returns the IP address instruction method to the original state according to the instruction. That is, the premium control of stopping the dynamic instruction of the IP address is canceled (step 408).

The IP address of the application server 14 provided to the client 11 is such that a plurality of IP addresses are assigned to a single application server,
An application server may be provided corresponding to the P address.

As described above, the client 11 can obtain a premium environment by the premium control method described in the present embodiment. Also, similarly to the third embodiment, a premium environment can be selectively provided for a plurality of applications.

[Fifth Embodiment] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a system configuration according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment shows a method for reducing the information transfer time which is different from the embodiment. The gateway 13 shown in the figure includes a buffer 80 for temporarily storing information inherent in the gateway 13.
~ 83. These buffers include an upstream priority buffer 80, an upstream normal buffer 81, a downstream priority buffer 82, and a downstream normal buffer 83. Here, “up” means a direction from the client 11 to the application server 14, and “down” means a direction from the application server 14 to the client 11.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the processing according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The operation in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

After the client (terminal) 11, for example, the client 11-1 starts using the application used in the premium environment, it is authenticated by the policy management server 15 and determines the premium designation contents for the gateway 13. Gateway control signal 1
7 is transmitted, and the monitoring of the time limit is started, which is the same as that described in the third embodiment. When deciding the premium instruction, the resource information 19 as needed, and in this embodiment, the gateway 13
May be referred to. The gateway control signal 17 transmitted at this time includes, as information for identifying the client 11, an IP address of the client 11, contents of premium control, for example, an instruction such as a priority processing level in the gateway 13, and the like. According to this instruction, the gateway 13 performs the gateway 1
The priority of the processing in 3 is determined.

Next, the processing in the gateway 13 will be described. In order to achieve the purpose of the information transfer process, the gateway 13 temporarily stores the information to be transferred in a temporary buffer, reads out the information in a certain rule, for example, periodically reads out the information, and sends it to the subsequent device. Therefore, as the amount of information to be transferred increases, the time accumulated in the buffer increases. That is, the delay (transfer) time from when information is written to the buffer until it is read increases.

The buffer according to the present embodiment divides the buffer into a priority buffer and a normal buffer (may be further subdivided), and reads out the priority buffers 80 and 82 more frequently than the normal buffers 81 and 83. , So that the delay (transfer) time of the information using the priority buffer at the gateway 13 can be reduced.

The reduction of the delay (transfer) time is achieved by a combination of the upstream priority buffer 80 and the upstream normal buffer 81 in the upstream direction, and by the downstream priority buffer 82 and the downstream priority buffer 82 in the downstream direction. The normal buffer 83 can be implemented in any direction. The gateway control signal 17 makes this choice of shortening the delay (transfer) time, that is, the information about the client providing the premium environment, into the priority buffer which is read out frequently, so that the premium request of the client 11 can be satisfied. Accordingly, the object of improving the quality of service such as shortening the information transfer time and, as a result, shortening the information transfer time between the client 11 and the application server 14 is achieved.

The release of the premium control after the elapse of the time period monitored by the policy management server 15 is the same as in the above-described embodiment.

According to the above description, even with the premium control method shown in the present embodiment, the client 11
You can get a premium environment.

Each of the embodiments described above can be applied alone or in combination.

The policy management server 14 can simultaneously control a plurality of gateways 13, for example, a gateway for connecting the client 11 to the IP network 12 and a gateway for connecting the application server 14 to the IP network 12. It is possible and included in the present invention.

Further, in the above embodiment, an IP network is used as a network. However, a similar network, for example, an MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switch) using a fixed-length label instead of an IP header is used.
ching) It can be applied to a net or the like.

Also, the function of processing the premium control request obtained from the client 11 in the policy management server 15 and giving a premium instruction to the gateway 13 or the application server 14 and the function of changing and restoring the priority in the application server 14 , A function of changing the route selection method of the gateway 13, instructing dynamic change of the address of the application server, selecting a priority buffer or a normal buffer, etc., as a program, and connecting to a computer used as the server or client. The present invention can be easily realized by storing it in a portable storage medium such as a disk device, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, or a CD-ROM, and installing it in the computer when carrying out the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified and applied within the scope of the claims.

[0102]

As described above, according to the present invention, the policy management server can control the priority of the processing of the gateway and the application server in response to the client's request. Thus, a premium environment with high service quality can be obtained.

According to the present invention, the resource allocation of the application server is increased in response to the premium request from the client, so that the client can obtain a premium environment in which the processing time of the application is reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, in response to the premium request from the client, a path with a short information transfer time from the gateway to the client can be provided. Can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, in response to the premium request from the client, it is possible to provide a path with a short information transfer time from the client to the gateway. Environment is obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, in response to the premium request from the client, it is possible to provide a path with a short information transfer time from the client to the gateway. Environment is obtained. Furthermore, according to the present invention,
Since the transfer time of information in the gateway can be reduced in response to a premium request from the client, the client can obtain a premium environment in which the transfer time of information is short.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a principle configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram according to the first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a sequence chart for explaining an operation of the system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram according to a second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of processing according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of processing according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of processing according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining processing according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a conventional network application control method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 11 client 12 network, IP network 13 gateway 14 application server 15 policy management server 16 application server control signal 17 gateway control signal 18 premium control request 19 resource information 40 route selection protocol 60 IP address specification 80 upstream priority buffer 81 upstream normal buffer 82 Downstream priority buffer 83 Downstream normal buffer 151 Instruction control unit 152 Time measurement unit

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission Date] April 22, 2002 (2002.4.2
2)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Name of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Patent application title: Network application control method and system and network application control program
Storage medium storing program and network application control program

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0001

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a network application control method and system and network A
According to a storage medium storing an application control program and a network application control program,
Particularly, in a server-client type network application, a network application control method and system for providing a higher quality of service to a specific client, and a network application
The present invention relates to a storage medium storing an application control program and a network application control program.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0002

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

More specifically, even when an application server that provides an application does not have a function of receiving the quality of service request from a client, the priority processing request right, that is, according to a request of a client to which a premium is given, Server-client type network application control method and system capable of shortening the total delay (transfer) time including the network
The present invention relates to a network application control program and a storage medium storing a network application control program.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and uses an application server which does not have a mechanism for an application server to receive a service request level of a client and perform communication processing and application processing in response thereto. Even in a server-client type network application, a network application control method and system capable of providing a service by selecting a service quality level in accordance with a service request level of a client, and a network application
It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage medium storing an application control program and a network application control program.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0013

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for controlling a network application capable of controlling the route selection controlled by a gateway to reduce the time required for information to pass through a network.
An object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing an application control program and a network application control program.

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0025

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0025] The present invention (claim 11) provides a server / client comprising a client connected to a network, an application server connected to the network with or without a gateway, and a policy management server. In the type network application, a network application control program executed by the policy management server, from a client permitted a premium which is a priority processing request right,
A premium control signal is received via a network, and based on the premium control signal, at least one of an application server and a gateway is instructed to change the priority of application execution, and a predetermined time period elapses. Then, the instruction control for instructing the application server or the gateway instructing the change of the priority order to change the priority order back to the original state.
A step, when an instruction to change the priority at the same time, and a timed measurement step of measuring a time period.

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0026

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The present invention (claim 12) provides an instruction control step.
Oite the flop, based on the premium control signal, when it is recognized and performing authentication of whether the client is permitted to premium, and a client that premium is allowed, based on a premium control signal application server or Te, comprising the steps of determining the premium instruction contents to the gateway, the determined content application server or, a step of instructing the gateway.

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0027

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0027] The present invention (claim 13) provides a server / client comprising a client connected to a network, an application server connected to the network with or without a gateway, and a policy management server. In a network application, a network application control program executed by the client, when starting use of an application used in a premium environment receiving advanced services, at least attribute information including an address of the client and premium control. request and dynamically indicates an address of the application server based on the premium control signal including the application specifies a step of issuing the policy management server, the instruction contents instructed from the gateway And a step.

[Procedure amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0028

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The present invention (claim 14) provides a server / client comprising a client connected to a network, an application server connected to the network with or without a gateway, and a policy management server. A network application control program executed by the application server in the type network application, the method including a step of changing a processing priority based on the instruction content instructed by the policy management server.

[Procedure amendment 11]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0029

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The present invention (claim 15) provides a server-client type comprising an application server and a policy management server connected to a network, with or without a client connected to the network and a gateway. In the network application, a network application control program executed by the gateway, wherein the route selection method is changed based on the instruction content instructed by the policy management server, and the route selection method after the change is transmitted from the gateway at the gateway. a step of the client to select a short path of the transfer time based on statistical measurements of the transfer time until the network connected to the client based on the instruction content that has been designated by the policy management server, application A step of dynamically indicating the address over bus, to at least one direction of information transfer direction, has a priority buffer and normal buffer, the priority buffer, reads frequently than the normal buffer, the priority buffer or selects according to the instructions of whether to use any of the usual buffer from the policy management server stearate
Tsu and a flop, to perform at least any one. Book
The invention (Claim 16) relates to a network connected to a network.
Client, via a gateway, or without
An application server connected to the network and
Server client composed of a policy management server
Policy-based network applications
Network application executed by the management server
A storage medium storing a control program, wherein priority processing is performed.
Clients who have been granted the premium
Receive premium control signals over the network
Application based on the premium control signal.
Server and / or gateway.
When changing the priority of application execution
When a predetermined time period elapses,
The application server or the game
Instruct the gateway to change the priority back
Same as instruction control step and instruction to change priority
Sometimes, there is a time measurement step for measuring the time. Book
The invention (claim 17) is characterized in that the instruction control step includes
Allowed premium based on Rem control signal
To authenticate whether the client is a valid client
Recognize that the premium client is an authorized client
The application based on the premium control signal.
Premium for application server or gateway
The step of determining the instruction content and the determined content
Step to instruct application server or gateway
And The present invention (claim 18) provides a network
Clients connected to the network, through the gateway,
Or, an application connected to the network without intervention
Application server and policy management server
Server / client type network application
In the network, the network
Application storage program.
Is used in a premium environment that receives advanced services.
When you start using applications,
Attribute information including the address of the client and
Premier including Miam control request, application designation
Issuing a system control signal to the policy management server;
Apps based on the instructions given by the gateway
Dynamically indicating the address of the application server
And The present invention (claim 19) provides a network
Via connected clients, gateways and
Are connected to the network without intervention.
Service server and policy management server
Server-client type network application
The network executed by the application server.
Storage medium that stores the network application control program
The content of the instruction given by the policy management server
Having the step of changing the priority of processing based on the
You. The present invention (claim 20) is connected to a network.
Client, through a gateway, or through
Application server connected to the network.
Server and a policy management server
In client-type network applications,
Network application that the gateway runs
A storage medium storing a control program, the policy medium comprising:
Route selection method based on the contents of instructions from the management server
The method for selecting the route after changing the
Client is connected from the gateway in A
Based on statistical measurements of transfer times to the network
Selecting a path with a short transfer time by using a policy pipe.
Client based on the content of instructions from the management server
To the application server address dynamically
Instructing and at least one of the information transfer directions
A priority buffer and a normal buffer.
Buffer reads more frequently than the normal buffer.
Use either the priority buffer or the normal buffer.
To use it according to the instruction from the policy management server.
And executing at least one of the steps.
You.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshihiko Uematsu 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-term in Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (reference) 5B085 AC12 AE06 BG07 5B098 AA10 CC01

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A server / client type network application composed of an application server connected to a network, with or without a client connected to the network, a gateway, and a specific client. In a network application control method for providing a high quality of service, a policy management server connected to the network is provided, and a client granted a premium which is a priority processing request right transmits a premium control signal via the network. The policy management server sends to the policy management server at least one of the application server and the gateway based on the premium control signal. Along with instructing the change of the priority order, the time measurement is started, and when a predetermined time period elapses, the application server or the gateway that instructed the change of the priority order changes the priority order back to the original order. A network application control method, characterized by giving an instruction. 2. When the client starts using an application used in a premium environment receiving a high-level service, at least the premium control request including an attribute information including a client address, a premium control request, and an application designation A signal is issued to the policy management server.The policy management server authenticates, based on the premium control signal, whether or not the client is authorized for the premium. If recognized, the content of the premium instruction to the application server is determined based on the premium control signal, and the determined content is instructed to the application server, and the application server is instructed by the policy management server. Network application control method according to claim 1, wherein to change the priority of a process based on the volume. 3. The client, when starting use of an application used in a premium environment receiving advanced services, transmits at least a premium control signal including a premium control request including attribute information including an address of the client and a premium control request. Issued to the management server, the policy management server performs authentication based on the premium control signal as to whether or not the client is a premium permitted client, and when it is recognized that the premium is a permitted client Determining a premium instruction content for the gateway based on the premium control signal, and instructing the determined content to the gateway, wherein the gateway performs a route selection method based on the instruction content instructed by the policy management server. Route selection after change Method, network application control method characterized in that said client from the gateway at the gateway selects the short path of the transfer time based on statistical measurements of the transfer time until the network connected. 4. The client, when starting use of an application used in a premium environment receiving advanced services, transmits at least a premium control signal including a premium control request including attribute information including an address of the client and a premium control request. Issued to the management server, the policy management server performs authentication based on the premium control signal as to whether or not the client is a premium permitted client, and when it is recognized that the premium is a permitted client Determining the premium instruction content for the gateway based on the premium control signal, instructing the determined content to the gateway, and the gateway instructing the client based on the instruction content instructed from the policy management server. , The application Dynamically instruct the address of Yonsaba, the client may claim 1 for dynamically changing the address used in response to an instruction from the policy management server
The described network application control method. 5. The client, when starting use of an application used in a premium environment for receiving advanced services, transmits at least a premium control signal including a premium control request including attribute information including an address of the client and a premium control request. Issued to the management server, the policy management server performs authentication based on the premium control signal as to whether or not the client is a premium permitted client, and when it is recognized that the premium is a permitted client Determining a premium instruction content for the gateway based on the premium control signal, and instructing the determined content to the gateway, wherein the gateway has a priority buffer and a normal buffer for at least one of information transfer directions. And the priority buffer is Reads frequently than normal buffer, the priority buffer or the normal network application control method according to claim 1, wherein for selecting whether to use any of the buffers in accordance with an instruction for the gateway from the policy management server. 6. In a server-client type network application composed of an application server connected to the network, with or without a client connected to the network, a gateway, a specific client is more frequently used. A network application control system for providing a high quality of service, comprising: receiving a premium control signal from the client granted a premium that is a priority processing request right through the network; On the basis of,
The application server instructs at least one of the application server and the gateway to change the priority of application execution, and when a predetermined time period elapses, the application server or the gateway instructed to change the priority. A policy management server comprising: a command control means for instructing a change to restore the priority order to the original; and a time measurement means for instructing the change of the priority and measuring a time period at the same time. Network application control system. 7. The client, when starting use of an application used in a premium environment receiving a high-level service, at least attribute information including an address of the client, a premium control request, and a premium control signal including an application designation. To the policy management server, wherein the policy management server performs, based on the premium control signal, a means for performing authentication as to whether or not the client is a client for which the premium is permitted; If the client is recognized as a client, the application server has means for determining premium instruction contents for the application server based on the premium control signal, and means for instructing the application server on the determined contents. , Network application control system according to claim 6, further comprising means for changing the priority of a process based on the instruction content that has been designated by the serial policy management server. 8. The client, when starting use of an application used in a premium environment receiving a high-level service, transmits at least a premium control signal including a premium control request including attribute information including an address of the client and a premium control request. A means for issuing to a management server, wherein the policy management server authenticates whether or not the client is a premium-authorized client based on the premium control signal; and When it is recognized that there is, based on the premium control signal, means for determining premium instruction contents for the gateway, and means for instructing the determined contents to the gateway, wherein the gateway is the policy management server Based on the instructions given by A method for changing a route selection method and a method for selecting a route having a short transfer time based on a statistical measurement result of a transfer time from the gateway at the gateway to the network to which the client is connected. The network application control system according to claim 6, comprising: 9. The client, when starting use of an application used in a premium environment receiving advanced services, transmits at least a premium control signal including a premium control request including attribute information including a client address and a premium control request. Means for issuing to a management server, and means for dynamically changing an address to be used in response to an instruction from the policy management server, wherein the policy management server sets a premium based on the premium control signal. Means for performing authentication as to whether or not the client is a permitted client, and means for determining a premium instruction content for the gateway based on the premium control signal when the premium is recognized as a permitted client. A means for instructing the determined contents to the gateway. 7. The network application control according to claim 6, further comprising: a step for dynamically instructing the client to an address of the application server to the client based on an instruction content instructed by the policy management server. 8. system. 10. The client, when starting use of an application used in a premium environment receiving advanced services, transmits at least the attribute control information including the address of the client and the premium control signal including a premium control request. Means for issuing to a policy management server, wherein the policy management server authenticates whether or not the client is a premium-authorized client based on the premium control signal; and If it is recognized that there is, based on the premium control signal, means for determining the premium instruction content for the gateway, and means for instructing the determined content to the gateway, the gateway, the information transfer direction Priority in at least one direction Buffer and a normal buffer, the priority buffer performs reading more frequently than the normal buffer, and the priority buffer or the normal buffer is used in accordance with an instruction from the policy management server to the gateway. 7. The network application control system according to claim 6, further comprising means for selecting. 11. A server-client type network application comprising an application server connected to the network, with or without a client connected to the network, a gateway, and a policy management server, wherein the policy is A storage medium storing a network application control program mounted on a management server, wherein a premium control signal is received from the client, which has been granted a premium which is a priority processing request right, via the network, and the premium control is performed. Based on the signal
The application server instructing at least one of the application server and the gateway to change the priority of application execution, and when a predetermined time period elapses, the application server or the gateway instructing to change the priority An instruction control process for instructing a change to restore the priority order to the original, and a time measurement process for measuring the time at the same time as instructing the change of the priority, a network application control program characterized by The storage medium in which it was stored. 12. The instruction control process, comprising: a process of performing authentication based on the premium control signal to determine whether or not the client is a client permitted for the premium; and a case where the client is recognized as a client permitted for the premium. 2. A process for determining a premium instruction content for the application server or the gateway based on the premium control signal, and a process for instructing the application server or the gateway on the determined content.
A storage medium storing the network application control program according to 1. 13. A server / client type network application comprising a client connected to a network, an application server connected to the network with or without a gateway, and a policy management server. A storage medium storing a network application control program installed in the client, wherein the client, when starting to use an application used in a premium environment for receiving an advanced service, at least attribute information including an address of the client Issuing a premium control signal, including a premium control request and an application designation, to the policy management server; and the application based on the instruction content instructed by the gateway. And a process for dynamically instructing the address of a network server. 14. A server-client type network application including a client connected to a network, an application server connected to the network with or without a gateway, and a policy management server. A storage medium storing a network application control program mounted on a server, comprising: a process for changing a processing priority based on the content of an instruction from the policy management server. Storage medium storing. 15. A server / client type network application comprising an application server and a policy management server connected to the network, with or without a client connected to the network, a gateway, and A storage medium storing a network application control program to be mounted, wherein the path selection method is changed based on the instruction content instructed from the policy management server, and the changed path selection method is performed by a gateway in a gateway. A process of selecting a path with a short transfer time based on the statistical measurement result of the transfer time to the network to which the client is connected, and for the client based on the instruction content instructed by the policy management server, A process of dynamically instructing the address of the application server; and a priority buffer and a normal buffer for at least one of the information transfer directions, wherein the priority buffer performs reading more frequently than the normal buffer. A process of selecting which of the priority buffer and the normal buffer to use in accordance with an instruction from the policy management server, and causing at least one of them to be executed. Storage medium.