JP4165340B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that can communicate with another apparatus through a network and can provide information to the other apparatus.

  In recent years, with the development of computer application technology, network interfaces and communication interfaces are installed, and communication with other devices is possible through a high-frequency network such as the Internet or a local network such as an intranet. Information processing apparatuses that can be provided are widely used. As a specific example of such an information processing apparatus, a general server apparatus equipped with a function as, for example, a Web (HTTP: HyperText Transfer Protocol) server or an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server is known. In addition, a network scanner device having a function of transmitting a scanned image to the outside via a network, a network printer device having a function of receiving an image via a network, or a function as these devices Some multi-function machines and the like that are integrated with each other have a Web server function, an FTP server function, and the like.

Under the circumstances where such information processing apparatuses are widely used, companies and individuals use the Internet infrastructure to build their own websites and publish them as homepages for information transmission. Access to a Web site is usually performed by inputting a URL (Uniform Resource Locators) that is an address of the Web site from a Web browser operating on a personal computer (PC). For example, the URL is input in the format “http: // <host>: <port> / <path>”. Of these, the host part described by <host> is not the IP address (Internet Protocol Address) but the host name described by FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) is often used. In addition, it is easy to recognize the difference between Web sites. For example, it can be easily understood that the host name “www. @@@@. Co.jp” is a website of @@@@ Corporation.
Recently, not only a homepage opening service provided by an ISP (Internet Service Provider) but also a personal level user acquires a domain name and opens a website using the domain name. In other words, in the case of ISP, <host> uses the one provided by ISP and the subdirectory for users is used as part of <path>, while the host name for users is used from <host>. Is to do. For example, if a domain name “uchida-masaki.com” for a user can be acquired, a website “www.uchida-masaki.com” can be constructed.
In addition, the official document of the network protocol in the Internet is defined in RFC (Request For Comments) (for example, refer nonpatent literature 1).

RFC (1570, 1661, 1662, 1962, 1994, 2153, 2284, 2484, etc.)

  By the way, for example, server apparatuses arranged on a network in an information system in a company vary depending on the information system, but there are various types such as a file server, a database server, a mail server, a document server, and an application server. It tends to increase more than before. In order to make each server device accessible on the Web, each of them is equipped with a Web server function and is also providing a role as a Web server device. Also, a plurality of Web server devices may be arranged for reasons such as dividing the contents to be disclosed into categories or distributing access from client terminals. Furthermore, as described above, some multifunction peripherals and the like are equipped with a function as a Web server, and a part of an information system has been constructed in the same manner as other server devices. .

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information system including a plurality of Web server devices. In the example shown in the figure, a plurality of Web server devices 51, 52, and 53 exist on the same network in a company or office. Among these, the Web server device 53 is a multifunction machine having a Web server function.
Each of the Web server devices 51, 52, and 53 used in these companies or offices has a higher processing capacity per year. Therefore, from the viewpoint of processing capability, it is considered possible in terms of performance to integrate the Web server devices 51, 52, and 53 into one. As described above, reducing the number of Web server devices 51, 52, and 53 in the information system is intended to reduce office space and management costs while emphasizing TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) reduction in companies. Very important. In particular, in a SOHO (Small Office Home Office) environment, it is important to save space, and if the Web server devices 51, 52, and 53 including the function as a multifunction machine are all-in-one, it is very Convenient.

However, in an IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version) 4 network that has been widely used, a network interface such as a LAN board is used to integrate a plurality of Web sites existing in a plurality of Web server devices into a single Web server device. It becomes necessary to construct a plurality of networks by attaching a plurality of IP addresses and adding IP (Internet Protocol) addresses to each. Therefore, in an IPv4 network, it is difficult to dynamically move a site between Web server devices on the network so that a plurality of suitable Web sites exist on the same Web server device.
It is desirable that such a dynamic site migration for integrating a plurality of Web server devices can be easily performed without requiring work by an engineer having specialized knowledge, particularly in a SOHO environment or the like. ing.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that can dynamically migrate a site provided by a plurality of hosts to a single host without mounting a plurality of network interfaces. To do.

  The present invention provides an information processing apparatus devised to achieve the above object, a network interface means for exchanging data with the outside through a network, and a migration request for a site from which a host apparatus on the network transmits information A migration request input means for inputting the content, a content acquisition means for acquiring the content of the site from the host device in response to the migration request input by the migration request input means, and the content acquired by the content acquisition means Content storing means for storing; address setting means for setting an address different from the address already set in the network interface means as the address of the site from which the content acquiring means has acquired the content; and Through the content storage means. It is characterized in further comprising an access accepting means for accepting an access from the said network to the site that contains the tool.

  According to the information processing apparatus configured as described above, when a site migration request is input by the migration request input unit, the content acquisition unit acquires the content of the site specified by the migration request in response to the migration request, and the content The storage means stores the content. At this time, the address setting means sets an address different from the address already set in the network interface means as the address of the site from which the content is acquired. Then, the access receiving means accesses the site acquired by the content acquisition means and stored in the content storage means through another address newly set by the address setting means regardless of the existing address in the network interface means. Will be accepted. In other words, even when only one network interface unit is provided, when a site migration request is input, site migration from the host device is dynamically performed in response to the request.

In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, even when only one network interface unit is provided, when a site migration request is input, the site migration from the host device is dynamically performed in response thereto. Therefore, regardless of the existing addresses in the network interface means, for example, even if a plurality of LAN boards are installed and a plurality of network interface means are not prepared, the migration request input means only inputs a site migration request. Thus, it is possible to migrate the site in the host device on the network.
Therefore, if the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is used, a site provided by a plurality of host apparatuses can be dynamically migrated to a single information processing apparatus without mounting a plurality of network interface means. Since it is possible to cause the information processing apparatus to transmit information about a plurality of sites, it is possible to easily realize reduction of space and management cost in a company or office.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of the entire system including the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system including an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the information processing system described here includes a multifunction machine (MF machine) 1 having a function as a server-side terminal, which is an example of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and a user. A client terminal 2 such as a personal computer to be used is connected through a network 3.

  In addition to integrating functions as a copying machine, a network scanner device, and a network printer device, the multifunction device 1 has a multifunction module (hereinafter referred to as “MF module”) as its main part, as will be described in detail later. In the main body. By providing this MF module, the multifunction device 1 not only simply acquires image data and prints out, but also on a website managed in the MF module, a client on the network 3 that is an external device. It can be accessed from the terminal 2.

The client terminal 2 includes a main body, a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and an input instruction device such as a keyboard and a mouse. In addition to basic software (operating system; OS), application software for performing various processes is installed in the main body. Some application software accesses the multifunction device 1 via the network 3 and requests the multifunction device 1 for desired information processing, or obtains predetermined information (Web page) provided by the information provider. There is so-called browser software (Web browser) that displays on a display device.
Note that the number of client terminals 2 is not limited to one, and a plurality of client terminals 2 can be connected to the network 3.

  As the network 3, for example, a CSMA / CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) type LAN (Local Area Network; for example, IEEE802.3 standard), a Gigabit (Giga Bit) based wired LAN, IEEE802.11 (Wi- There are wireless LANs based on standards such as Fi) / 11b. In addition, even those using a public switched telephone network (PSTN), an ISDN (Integrated Switched Digital Network), or using other communication media including the Internet Good.

  Next, a schematic configuration of an example of an MF module that is a main part of the multifunction machine 1 used in the information processing system as described above, that is, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the MF module 10 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a system clock 14, a scanner unit 15, a printing unit 16, a control unit 17, a hard disk 18, a network interface 19, and an operation. The display panel 20, a communication control unit 21, a site management unit 22, and a system bus 23 that connects them to each other are provided.

The CPU 11 controls the entire system, that is, the entire multifunction device 1 via the system bus 23.
The ROM 12 stores a control program necessary for the control process performed by the CPU 11 in advance. This control program includes an image processing program for performing image processing on the image data input by the scanner unit 15.
The RAM 13 is for temporarily storing program control variables, data for various processes, and the like.
The system clock 14 provides time information (year / month / day, hour / minute / second) to the CPU 11. It is assumed that the system clock 14 includes a backup battery so that time information is not lost when the system power is cut off or a power failure occurs, and the current time is always maintained.

The scanner unit 15 is for optically reading an image drawn on a document to be read and acquiring image data.
The printing unit 16 is for printing out image data acquired by the scanner unit 15 or image data acquired from the outside through the network interface 19 as a visible image on a recording sheet.
The control unit 17 is for exchanging control data with the scanner unit 15 and the printing unit 16 or with the site management unit 22 and for controlling the MF module 10 as a whole.

  The hard disk 18 stores data for various processes by the control program, and stores image data acquired by the scanner unit 15 or output by the printing unit 16. The hard disk 18 is also adapted to store content data of a site to be described later. That is, the hard disk 18 functions as content storage means in the present invention.

The network interface 19 is connected to the network 3 and enables communication (data exchange) with an external device on the network 3. That is, the network interface 19 functions as network interface means in the present invention.
By the way, in the network interface 19, since the network 3 is, for example, a CSMA / CD type LAN (specifically, “Ethernet (registered trademark of Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.)”), a network address is required to connect to the network 3. Necessary. As for this network address, that is, an IP address, one address is assigned to one network interface 19 when using IPv4. However, when IPv6 is used instead of IPv4, one network interface 19 is assigned. On the other hand, a plurality of addresses can be assigned.
For this reason, the network interface 19 supports IPv6 when connecting to the network 3, whereby a plurality of IP addresses can be assigned.
Note that the network interface 19 may be provided with a firewall function as necessary in consideration of connection with an external network such as the Internet as well as an internal network such as in-house or on-premises. Further, a functional part that performs this firewall function may be provided separately from the network interface 19.

The operation display panel 20 is operated by the user of the multifunction machine, and performs settings such as scan processing and print processing, or performs screen display and request input for site migration, as will be described later. To do. That is, the operation display panel 20 functions as a shift request input unit in the present invention.
In addition to the operation display panel 20, an operation panel for performing basic operations such as a copy instruction may be provided at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the main body.

The communication control unit 21 is for performing data transmission / reception with the outside via the network interface 19 and its control.
For example, as data transmitted / received to / from the outside, content data of a site to which a migration request is input on the operation display panel 20 can be cited. In other words, the communication control unit 21 functions as a content acquisition unit of the present invention that acquires site content data in response to a migration request input on the operation display panel 20. Furthermore, when acquiring communication setting items related to the site (contents related to access authority to the site, etc.) together with the content data, the communication control unit 21 also functions as a communication setting item acquiring unit of the present invention. It will be.
Further, for example, as a control for data transmission / reception, a response to an access request to a site can be mentioned. That is, the communication control unit 21 also functions as an access accepting unit of the present invention that accepts access to the site from the network 3 when the hard disk 18 stores the content data of the site.
When accepting access from a network 3 to a site, it is conceivable to perform user authentication processing necessary for accessing the site based on communication setting items for the site. When performing such user authentication processing, the communication control unit 21 also has a function as user authentication processing means of the present invention.

The site management unit 22 is for managing information related to a site, such as a site address, a domain, content data, and the like, and controlling the management.
For example, the site management unit 22 sets the IP address and domain of content data of the site acquired from the outside by the communication control unit 21 as management control of information related to the site. That is, the site management unit 22 functions as an address setting unit and a domain acquisition unit of the present invention.
When the communication control unit 21 acquires a communication setting item related to the site together with the content data of the site, the site management unit 22 sets the communication setting item as a communication setting item related to the site. It is supposed to be. That is, in that case, the site management unit 22 also functions as a communication setting item setting unit of the present invention.

  Among these units, the functions realized by the communication control unit 21 and the site management unit 22 may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specified Integrated Circuit), but may be realized by software. It may be the one that was made. That is, the function of the MF module 10 as a computer may be realized by executing a predetermined information processing program. In this case, it is conceivable that the information processing program is installed in the MF module 10 in advance. However, even if the information processing program is provided by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or a wired or wireless communication means is provided. It may be distributed via the Internet.

  Next, an example of processing operation in the case of dynamically migrating a site using the MF module 10 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a processing operation example when a site is migrated.

  A user who wants to move the site (not limited to the administrator of the multifunction machine 1) operates the operation display panel 20 and inputs a request to move the site (step 101; hereinafter, step is abbreviated as “S”). .

Here, a specific example is given and demonstrated about the input of a site transfer request | requirement. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the input screen display of the site migration request, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the site migration request table corresponding to the site migration request.
The contents of the site migration request are input by the user of the multifunction machine through the input screen as shown in FIG. The contents of the input migration request are managed on a site migration request table as shown in FIG. This site migration request table is provided in a predetermined area in the RAM 13 or the hard disk 18 in response to an input of a site migration request on the operation display panel 20.

By the way, in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, “type” indicates a type of a method for acquiring site content. Examples of the “type” include HTTP, FTP, HDD (hard disk device), and SCAN (scanner).
“Acquisition source” indicates the acquisition source of the content for the site. For example, when the “type” is HTTP or FTP, content is acquired from outside the apparatus, which means that a file is acquired from a site indicated by “source”. When the “type” is HDD, the content is acquired from the hard disk device provided in the own device, and the file is acquired from the storage destination (directory) indicated by “source”. If the “type” is SCAN, content acquisition is performed using the scanner unit 15, and an image is read by the scanner unit 15 indicated by “acquisition source” to provide content for provision.
“Acquisition supplement” indicates supplementary information necessary for acquiring content for a site, such as “anonymous”, “default (initial setting)”, or “*”. Here, “*” means that a file having an arbitrary file name is an acquisition target.
The “acquisition level” indicates up to which level of the directory hierarchy of the acquisition source when content for the site is acquired. If a numerical value is set, the numerical value becomes the acquisition level itself, but “*” means that the level is unlimited.
“Public Top Page” indicates the top page of the site to be established. “User ID” indicates an identifier of a user who is requesting establishment of a site.

  In the request example shown in FIG. 4, the site ID is requested with the user ID “uchida” and the content of the site is changed from “http://www.uchida.com/conts/” to 5 levels by HTTP. The user has instructed a request to acquire all files (acquisition supplement is *) and publish the public top page as “default.htm”.

  When such a site migration request is input, the content is notified from the operation display panel 20 to the communication control unit 21. Upon receiving this notification, the communication control unit 21 acquires the content data of the site specified by the migration request as shown in FIG. 3 (S102). Here, it is assumed that all files from “http://www.uchida.com/conts/” up to level 5 are acquired by HTTP.

  As described above, when the content data is acquired by HTTP, the host device that is the migration source of the content data has a function as a Web server. From the host device that has the function as the Web server. The content data file is acquired. Therefore, the communication control unit 21 can acquire the content data file through the network 3. That is, since it can be acquired through the network 3, the content data acquisition itself can be performed without requiring a user operation, and as a result, the acquisition of the content data becomes very easy. This is the same not only when the content data is acquired by HTTP but also when it is acquired by FTP.

  In addition, at this time, if the communication control unit 21 has a function as a communication setting item acquisition unit, the communication control unit 21 performs the relevant operation such as the content related to the access authority to the site together with the content data. Get communication setting items related to the site.

  Then, the communication control unit 21 determines whether or not the content data has been normally acquired (S103). If the content data has not been normally acquired, the communication control unit 21 returns to the original processing and ends abnormally. The reason why the processing is returned to the original state upon abnormal termination is to prevent the inconvenience of leaving the site migration processing interrupted.

  If the content data can be acquired normally, the communication control unit 21 stores the acquired content data in a predetermined area in the hard disk 18 (S104). Here, a directory for the site to be migrated is created on the file system in the hard disk 18 and the acquired content data is stored. Then, the communication control unit 21 determines whether or not the content data has been normally stored (S105). If the content data cannot be normally acquired, the process for site migration is left suspended. In order to prevent inconvenience, the processing that has been performed is returned to the original, and the process ends abnormally.

  On the other hand, when the hard disk 18 normally stores the content data, the communication control unit 21 notifies the site management unit 22 to that effect. In response to this, the site management unit 22 acquires the IP address and domain for the site where the hard disk 18 newly stores the content data (S106).

Here, the acquisition of the IP address by the site management unit 22 will be described in detail.
First, the address space in IPv6 which is the next generation Internet protocol used by the site management unit 22 will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an address space in IPv6. For details of this address space, RFC2373, 2374 and the like may be referred to.
The IPv6 unicast address includes an aggregated global unicast address that is unique in the world as shown in FIG. 6A, a site local address that is unique in the site as shown in FIG. There is a link local address that is unique within the link as shown in 6 (d). Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, there is an initial allocation address of “2001 :: / 16” (having a 16-bit prefix starting from 2001) as an initial embodiment of the aggregated global address.

Next, an address setting (acquisition) method in IPv6 will be described.
The address setting method performed by the site management unit 22 includes (1) a method of setting based on the address of the site before migration, (2) a method of acquiring and setting an address from an available address pool, (3) There is a method of dynamically generating and setting an address according to a predetermined algorithm.

  (1) In the method of setting based on the address of the site before the migration, for example, the address of the site before the migration is used as it is for the “subnetID” of the site local address. In this way, address compatibility can be ensured before and after the migration. However, this acquisition method is based on the site address before migration, not only when the set address is completely the same (all addresses are the same), but also substantially the same (for example, the “subnetID” part) In some cases, such as only the same).

(2) In the method of acquiring and setting an address from an available address pool, the address is set according to the procedure described below. The address pool holds a plurality of addresses that can be used (set) in advance.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the address pool. In the figure, “ID” indicates an identifier of an address in the address pool. “IP address” indicates an IP address existing in the address pool. “Assignment status” indicates whether an IP address has already been assigned. Here, “1” indicates assigned and “0” indicates unassigned. When using an available address pool, the site management unit 22 acquires one address from the address pool and sets it as a set address. For example, in the case of the illustrated example, when searching in ascending order from ID = 0, it can be seen that an IP address of ID = 4 whose allocation state is 0 (unallocated) can be used and acquired. Of course, after the acquisition, the allocation state of ID = 4 is changed to 1 (allocated).
The address pool may be held in a predetermined area (the address storage unit of the present invention) in the hard disk 18 or by accessing an external server device (address management device) that separately manages the address pool. You may make it acquire from the server apparatus.
According to such a method for acquiring an address from the address pool, a usable address can be determined in the address pool in advance, so that it becomes very easy to manage addresses and the number of address settings in the entire system. .

(3) In the method of dynamically generating and setting an address according to a predetermined algorithm, the address is set according to the procedure described below.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of an algorithm for performing dynamic address generation. In the case of dynamically generating addresses, the site management unit 22 may be configured with a hardware configuration that executes this algorithm, but is configured to operate based on software (program) that performs such processing. May be.

  As shown in the figure, in the dynamic address generation, the site management unit 22 first acquires the maximum value of “subnetID” of the site local address assigned to the same interface (S201). If some “subnetID” can be acquired (S202), a predetermined value (eg, “+1”) is added to the acquired “subnetID” to obtain a new “subnetID” (S203). On the other hand, if no “subnetID” can be acquired, such as when no site local address is set, the address acquisition unit 842 sets the new “subnetID” to “0” (S204).

  Thereafter, the site management unit 22 determines whether or not the new subnetID <0xffff (maximum value in 16 bits) (S205). If the condition is not satisfied, it is assumed that the address could not be acquired. Ends abnormally. On the other hand, if the condition is satisfied, it is checked whether or not the address acquired based on “new subnetID” is not used by another host or interface (S206).

  As for the duplication check, a server device (address management device) that separately manages addresses may be inquired, or the obtained address may be confirmed by conducting a continuity test such as “ping6”. Alternatively, in the case of a LAN, a MAC address (media access control address) is used for the interface ID as terminal-specific information, and if it is not used on the same interface, it is unlikely that it is used repeatedly. You may make it carry out a duplication check only within.

If the acquired address is used redundantly (S207), the site management unit 22 returns to the above-described step until the redundant use is eliminated, and executes the same process again (S203 to S207).
On the other hand, if the acquired address is not duplicated, it is assumed that the address has been acquired normally and the process ends normally (S208). At this time, if there is a server device (address management device) that manages the address so that the acquired address is not used repeatedly thereafter, the address is registered in the server device.

  Note that the site management unit 22 replaces the processing procedure for dynamically acquiring a new address with the maximum value of “subnetID” of the site local address as a base point, and sets the subnet of the address already set in the network interface 19. A predetermined algorithm of dynamically generating a new address by changing the part to be identified may be executed. For example, as shown in the example of the site local address in FIG. 6C, as an address for the site to be established, an aggregated global address “SLA ID (Site-Level Aggregation Identifier)” or a site local address “subnetID” is used. "As a result, the ID corresponding to the subnet ID for identifying the subnet of the address already set in the network interface 19 is changed for the site to be opened, and as a result, a new address is dynamically obtained. May be.

  According to such a method of dynamically generating and setting an address, it is possible to automatically set an address without preparing the predetermined algorithm for generating the address in advance and without being limited by the number of settings. Settings can be made.

  As described above, when the hard disk 18 normally stores content data, the site management unit 22 uses the setting method (1) to (3) described above to use the IP for the site related to the content data. As an address, an address different from the address already set in the network interface 19 is acquired.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the site management unit 22 determines whether or not the other address can be normally acquired as the IP address for the site (S107). In order to prevent the inconvenience of leaving the processing for site migration interrupted, the processing that has been performed so far is returned to the original and the processing ends abnormally. On the other hand, if the IP address for the site can be acquired normally, the acquired IP address is set to the network interface 19 (S108). Here, it is assumed that an address “fec0 :: 0004: 2b0: d0ff: fede: 1afd” with ID = 4 has been acquired as in the example shown in FIG.

  The network interface 19 is compatible with IPv6, so that a plurality of IP addresses can be set. Therefore, in addition to the IP address already set for the network interface 19, the site management unit 22 can set another newly acquired IP address for the network interface 19. However, the site management unit 22 determines whether or not the IP address can be normally set in the network interface 19 (S109). If the IP address cannot be normally set, the site migration process is left suspended. In order to prevent the inconvenience of storing, the processing that has been performed so far is returned to the original and the process ends abnormally. Here, it is assumed that the address “fec0 :: 0004: 2b0: d0ff: fede: 1afd” can be normally set.

  By the way, the site management unit 22 manages the IP address already set in the network interface 19 and the IP address newly set by the site management unit 22 for the network interface 19 as management of information related to the site. However, the management may be performed using a site management table as described below.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a site management table for managing information related to a site. In the figure, “ID” indicates an identifier on the site management table. “V4 / v6” indicates a distinction between an IPv4 network and an IPv6 network. “IP address” indicates the IP address of the site. “Host name” indicates a host name corresponding to the IP address. “User ID” indicates the user ID that requested the site opening. “Directory” indicates a directory on the file system that stores the actual content of the site. “Top” indicates the top page of the site.
If you look at the host name in the example, you can see that you have established your own site on the same interface. In response to the site opening request shown in FIG. 4, the user ID is “uchida” and a site opening request is made, and the opened site is ID = 4. That is, the site is the address “fec0 :: 0004: 2b0: d0ff: fede: 1afd”, the user ID is “uchida”, the content entity is held at “/ web / 4”, and the top page is “Default.htm”.

  Such a site management table may be formed, for example, in a predetermined area in the hard disk 18 and managed by the site management unit 22. That is, when a new IP address is set in response to the site migration request, the site management unit 22 sets the IP address for site migration in the site management table based on the determined “new subnetID”. Register in association with an ID or the like.

  At this time, for example, when the communication control unit 21 has a function as a communication setting item acquisition unit, and the communication control unit 21 also acquires a communication setting item related to the site together with the content data. The site management unit 22 registers the communication setting item in the site management table as a communication setting item corresponding to the new IP address set in response to the site migration request. As the communication setting items, for example, a port number used for communication, an upper limit value of the number of simultaneous sessions, a timeout time during communication, an ID of a site administrator, and a password can be considered. As a result, the settings for the site to be migrated will be the same as before the transition without requiring new settings, so access control (access rights to the site, etc.) for that site will be the same as before the transition. Be able to do.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3, when the IP address can be normally set in the network interface 19 (S109), the communication control unit 21 that has received the notification from the site management unit 22 sets the IP address. Acceptance of external access to the designated site is started (S110). For example, when the address “fec0 :: 0004: 2b0: d0ff: fede: 1afd” can be normally set in the network interface 19, the HTTP “well known” port is TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) port 80. Therefore, the communication control unit 21 starts accepting access to the site by opening the port 80 number of the address “fec0 :: 0004: 2b0: d0ff: fede: 1afd”. Then, the communication control unit 21 determines whether or not the acceptance of the access to the site has been started normally (S111), and if it can be started normally, the communication control unit 21 ends normally, but the access acceptance cannot be started normally. If this happens, the process is returned to the original and the process ends abnormally.

  At this time, if the communication control unit 21 has a function as a user authentication processing unit, the communication control unit 21 opens the port 80 number on condition that the user authentication process by the function is successful. You may do it. Specifically, in the above-described example, the communication control unit 21 starts accepting access to the site by opening the HTTP “well known” port TCP port number 80. In the case of a protocol that involves user authentication, not only the TCP port opening but also the user authentication function may be started so that access to the site can be started normally. Note that the user authentication process and the function for performing the process may be realized using a publicly known technique, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  By the way, in the site management table shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to manage the “host name” corresponding to the IP address, but the “host name” can be managed by using the domain acquisition service. When a new domain “uchida.com” for “0004: 2b0: d0ff: fede: 1afd” is acquired, the host name “www.uchida.com” can be used. This uchida.com is the domain used on the site before the transition. The domain of the site to be migrated in this way may be used as it is at the migration destination, or another domain may be acquired and used. In any case, when a host name including a domain is used, for example, the site management unit 22 or the communication control unit 21 exists on the network 3 and manages a domain (DNS (Domain Name System)). A server (not shown) is accessed, and an address and a domain are registered in the DNS server. As a result, the communication control unit 21 can accept access from the client terminal 2 based on the domain and address information registered in the DNS server.

  In this way, if the domain is acquired and registered in the DNS server of the acquired domain, the Web browser of the client terminal 2 on the network 3 can use the Web site that originally existed as shown in FIG. In addition to a certain “www.masaki.com”, it is possible to access the website of “www.uchida.com” that has been migrated this time. Similarly to “www.uchida.com”, a website “www.daiki.ws” can be migrated. That is, as can be seen from the “host name” in the site management table shown in FIG. 9, it can be seen that a plurality of Web sites can be migrated to the same network interface 19.

Even in such a case, if the domain acquisition and registration of the acquired domain to the DNS server are performed as described above, for example, the site management unit 22 or the communication control unit 21 serves as the domain acquisition unit and the DNS registration unit of the present invention. If it has the function of, it will become easy to recognize the difference of a site intuitively with a host name. In particular, when the domain of the site to be migrated is used as it is at the migration destination, the site can be accessed without being aware of the migration.
In the above-described example, the case where the domain corresponding to the site address is acquired from the domain acquisition service has been described. However, the domain may be input at the time of request for site migration by acquiring the domain in advance. Good. In addition, the domain name corresponding to the address may be held together in the address pool, or a domain pool holding only the domain may be provided and acquired from the domain pool.
In the example described above, the case where the site address and host name are registered in the DNS server on the network 3 has been described. However, the DNS server function may be provided in the own apparatus.

As described above, in the MF module 10 according to the present embodiment, when a site migration request is input on the operation display panel 20, the communication control unit 21 responds to the migration request and the site designated by the migration request. Content data is acquired, and the content data is stored in a predetermined area in the hard disk 18. At this time, the site management unit 22 sets an address different from the address already set in the network interface 19 as the IP address of the site from which the content data is acquired. Then, the communication control unit 21 accepts access to the migrated site via another address newly set by the site management unit 22 regardless of the existing address in the network interface 19.
In other words, even when only one network interface 19 is provided, when a site migration request is input, the migration of the site from the migration source Web server device is dynamically performed in response to the request. Therefore, for example, even if a plurality of network interfaces such as LAN boards are not installed and a plurality of networks are not physically constructed, a site migration request can be entered only by inputting a site migration request on the operation display panel 20. Can be migrated.
Therefore, by using the MF module 10 in the present embodiment, without providing a plurality of network interfaces, a site provided by a plurality of Web server devices can be dynamically migrated into a single multifunction device 1, Since it is possible to cause the MF module 10 mounted on the multifunction device 1 to transmit information about a plurality of sites, it is possible to easily reduce the space and management costs in the company or office. It becomes like this.

  In the present embodiment, after a site migration request is input from the user interface such as the operation display panel 20, each function unit acquires and sets a site migration address and acquires content data according to a predetermined procedure. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to such a configuration.

  For example, using a mechanism (API: Application Program Interface) for using various functions of the OS from an application, request for site migration, content data acquisition, content data storage, address acquisition, address setting, site It may be possible to prepare an application interface that provides functions such as the start of acceptance of access requests. In this case, since it is possible to instruct the user application to execute all the requests from the site migration request to the site access acceptance start, it is possible to dynamically migrate a suitable site without human intervention. It becomes.

  In addition, if each function is assigned to each application and the various functions are realized by directly operating the hardware supported by each application, there is a possibility of causing trouble between applications that use the same function. Development efficiency is not good. On the other hand, if frequently used functions are gathered in common and prepared in the OS, and an API mechanism capable of calling and using each function prepared in the OS is applied, an application is efficiently developed. The above problems can be solved.

  For example, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of an API. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for executing an API of a user application. In using the API, first, as shown in FIG. 10, prototype declarations (including API names, arguments, and supplementary explanations) corresponding to site migration request, content data acquisition, address acquisition, address setting, and access acceptance start are provided. Prepare a library that associates these. The library should be in a format that can be linked dynamically. The method for adding the user application on the multifunction device 1 may be any method such as installation via a storage medium or download via the network 3.

  When the user application is operated on the multifunction device 1, the API is executed as shown in FIG. 11 when the user application is required via a library that provides an API (see FIG. 10) necessary for site migration. By doing so, site migration becomes possible. For example, first, “SiteOpenReq” is executed for site migration request processing (S301), and it is determined whether or not the return value is normal (S302). If the return value is abnormal, the process ends abnormally. On the other hand, if the return value is normal, “SiteContGet” is executed for the next content acquisition process (S303), and the return value is normal. It is determined whether or not (S304). In the same manner, if the return value is normal, the next process is continued (S305 to S310), and the entire process is completed. By using the API in this way, functions such as site migration request, content data acquisition, content data storage, address acquisition, address setting, and start of acceptance of access request to the site can be performed from the user application. Execution instructions can be given.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the information processing system provided with one Embodiment of the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structural example of the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process operation example in the case of migrating a site using the information processing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of an input screen display of a site migration request in the information processing apparatus of FIG. 2. It is explanatory drawing which shows a specific example of the site transfer request table in the information processing apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the address space in the next generation Internet protocol (IPv6). It is explanatory drawing which shows a specific example of the address pool which can be used for site transfer. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the algorithm for performing dynamic address generation. It is explanatory drawing which shows a specific example of the site management table in the information processing apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows a specific example of the application program interface which provides functions, such as a site transfer request | requirement, content acquisition, address acquisition and setting, and the acceptance start of an access request. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence which performs API of a user application. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the information processing system in the past.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP, 2 ... Client terminal, 3 ... Network, 10 ... MF module, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... RAM, 14 ... System clock, 15 ... Scanner part, 16 ... Printing part, 17 ... Control part , 18 ... Hard disk, 19 ... Network interface, 20 ... Operation display panel, 21 ... Communication control unit, 22 ... Site management unit, 23 ... System bus

Claims (13)

A network interface means for exchanging data with the outside through a network;
A migration request input means for inputting a migration request for a site from which information is transmitted by a host device on the network;
Content acquisition means for acquiring the content of the site from the host device in response to the transfer request input by the transfer request input means;
Content storage means for storing the content acquired by the content acquisition means;
Address setting means for setting an address different from the address already set in the network interface means as the address of the site from which the content acquisition means has acquired the content;
An information processing apparatus comprising: an access receiving unit that receives access from the network to the site where the content storage unit stores content via the another address. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content acquisition unit acquires the content of the site from the host apparatus having a function as a Web server. Communication setting item acquisition means for acquiring communication setting items related to the site from which the content acquisition means acquires content from the host device;
The communication setting item setting unit that sets the communication setting item acquired by the communication setting item acquisition unit as a communication setting item related to the site from which the content acquisition unit has acquired content. 2. The information processing apparatus according to 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the address setting means sets the other address based on an address of the site when the host device transmits information. . Address storage means for holding an address that can be set as the other address,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the address setting unit sets an address acquired from the content stored in the address storage unit as the other address. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the address setting means sets an address acquired from an address held by an address management device existing outside the device as the another address. apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the address setting means sets an address generated according to a predetermined algorithm as the another address. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the algorithm that the address setting means follows generates a new address by changing a location that identifies a subnet of an address that is already set in the network interface. . The access accepting means starts accepting access to the site specified by the different address by opening a port corresponding to the different address. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above. Comprising user authentication processing means for performing user authentication processing necessary for access to the site upon receiving access to the site;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the access receiving unit opens the port on condition that the user authentication processing by the user authentication processing unit is successful. Domain acquisition means for acquiring a domain corresponding to the different address;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: DNS registration means for registering the address and the domain with a DNS server. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the domain acquisition unit acquires, as the domain, a domain name of the site when the host device transmits information. An application interface that allows an execution instruction to be issued from a user application is provided for at least processing functions in the migration request input unit, the content acquisition unit, the content storage unit, the address setting unit, and the access reception unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

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