JP2003030078A - Information distribution system, information distributing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information distribution system, an information distributing method and a program capable of preventing application of a large load on one server and enhancing system use efficiency. SOLUTION: In this information distribution system, order-relation having hierarchical structure is set in a plurality of servers S1 to S7, the server S1 distributes distribution information according to distribution requests until the number of distribution requests reaches a reference value and on the other hand, when the number of distribution requests reaches the reference value, for the distribution requests more than the reference value, informs a terminal 3 of the servers S2, S3 at one rank lower than the server S1 without distributing the distribution information. The servers S2, S3 distribute the distribution information received from a main server S1 according to the requests until the number of distribution requests reaches the reference value and on the other hand, when the number of the distribution requests reaches the reference value, for the distribution requests more than the reference value, inform the terminal 3 of the servers S4 to S7 in hierarchy one rank lower than the servers S2, S3 without distributing the distribution information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information distribution system, an information distribution method and a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a conventional information distribution system. In this conventional information distribution system, as shown in FIG.
1 is distributed to a plurality of terminal devices (clients) via a network. Note that FIG.
In the illustrated example, the contents of the lecture given at an educational or training institution such as a university are displayed on the server 10 via the video camera 103.
1 and is distributed by the server 101 to each terminal device as moving image information with voice information.

[0003]

In the information distribution system, however, distribution requests from a large number of terminal devices may concentrate on the distribution source server 101 at one time.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional information distribution system, since the information is distributed by the single server 101, there is a problem that the load on the server 101 is large. Therefore, in order to enable information distribution to a large number of terminal devices at one time, it is necessary to prepare an expensive high-performance server 101, which causes a problem that the cost for introducing and maintaining the system increases. .

As another conventional technique, there is an information distribution system in which distribution information is given to a plurality of servers (mirror servers) and the information can be distributed from each server.
However, in this system, the number of servers used for information distribution is fixed to the value at the time of initial setting, regardless of the increase or decrease of the distribution request. Therefore, it is necessary to set the number of servers to a value that anticipates an increase in distribution requests.
When there are few distribution requests, many servers may be unnecessarily occupied for information distribution, and there is a problem in that there is much waste in terms of system usage efficiency.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information distribution system, an information distribution method and a program which can prevent a large load from being applied to one server and improve the system usage efficiency. To do.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A technical means for achieving the above object is connectable to a terminal device via a network, and via the network or via a communication line different from the network. An information distribution system comprising a plurality of servers connectable to each other by means of at least one of the plurality of servers being set as a main server and given distribution information to be distributed, The main server transmits the distribution information to the terminal device via the network in response to a request from the terminal device, and when the load generated by the transmitting operation reaches a predetermined capacity standard, Notifying at least one other server other than the main server to the terminal device via the network, The other server receives the distribution information from the main server via the network or the communication line, and transmits the distribution information to the terminal device via the network in response to a request from the terminal device. Is characterized by.

[0008] Preferably, the main server is
When notifying the terminal device of the other server, it is preferable to notify the address of the other server.

Further, the technical means for achieving the above object can be connected to a terminal device via a network, and can be connected to each other via the network or via a communication line different from the network. An information distribution system including a plurality of servers, wherein ranking relations are preset in the plurality of servers, and the ranking relation among the plurality of servers should be distributed to the server having the highest ranking relation. Distribution information is given, and the highest-level server transmits the distribution information to the terminal device via the network in response to a request from the terminal device, and the load generated by the transmission operation is based on a predetermined capacity criterion. Is reached, one of the plurality of servers, which is one rank lower than the topmost server in the rank relation, is connected to the server via the network. Each of the plurality of servers in which the ranking relationship is lower than the highest-ranking server, and the ranking relationship is from the server that is one rank higher than the respective server to the network or the communication. When the distribution information is received via a line, the distribution information is transmitted to the terminal device via the network in response to a request from the terminal device, and the load caused by the transmission operation reaches a predetermined capacity standard. , The rank relation among the plurality of servers informs the terminal device via the network of the lower one server of the respective servers.

Further, preferably, each of the servers notifies the address of the server of one lower rank when notifying the terminal device of the server of one lower rank of the server in the ranking relationship. .

Furthermore, it is preferable that the ranking relation has a pyramid-shaped hierarchical structure in which a plurality of steps are branched toward the lower side of the ranking relation.

Further, preferably, among the plurality of servers, each of the servers belonging to a layer lower than the highest layer in the hierarchical structure indicates that the delivery information is successfully transmitted to the terminal device. It is preferable to notify the server belonging to the layer immediately above the layer to which each server belongs to in the above-mentioned manner via the network or the communication line.

Further, preferably, among the plurality of servers, each of the servers belonging to a layer higher than the lowest layer in the layered structure has the layered structure one server lower than the server. Based on the success notification given from the server, recognizes the success status of transmission of the delivery information of each server in the layer one level lower, and gives priority to each server belonging to the layer one level lower based on the recognition result. It is preferable to assign a rank, select at least one server from the servers belonging to a lower hierarchy based on the priority, and notify the terminal device.

Further, the technical means for achieving the above object is characterized in that the information distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is used to distribute the distribution information to a terminal device via a network. And

Further, the technical means for achieving the above-mentioned object is a program used in the information distribution system according to claim 1, and the program is executed by a computer to cause the computer to operate in the information distribution system. It is characterized in that it functions as the main server.

[0016] Further, the technical means for achieving the above-mentioned object is a program used in the information distribution system according to claim 1, and the program is executed by a computer, thereby causing the computer to operate in the information distribution system. It is characterized in that it functions as the other server.

Further, the technical means for achieving the above-mentioned object is a program used in the information distribution system according to claim 3, and the program is executed by a computer, thereby causing the computer to operate in the information distribution system. It is characterized in that it functions as the highest-level server.

[0018] Further, the technical means for achieving the above-mentioned object is a program used in the information distribution system according to claim 3, and is executed by a computer, thereby causing the computer to operate the information distribution system. In the above, the ranking relationship among the plurality of servers causes the server to function as a lower order server than the highest order server.

<Description of Terms> In the present invention, the “load generated by the transmission operation” means the load on the server itself performing the transmission operation and the load on the server and the terminal device by the server performing the transmission operation. It is a concept that includes at least one of the load on the network between them.

[0020]

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, this information distribution system includes a plurality of, for example, seven servers S1 to S7 (the reference numeral S is used to collectively refer to them). Each server S can be connected to the terminal device 3 via the network 1, for example, the Internet, and can be connected to each other via the network 1. In this embodiment, the server S and the terminal device 3 and the servers S are connected by the network 1.
You may make it connect between each server S by the communication line different from the network 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, each server S has a rank relationship having a pyramid-like hierarchical structure, and a plurality of rank relationships are stepwise toward the lower order side of the rank relationship. Has branched to. In the illustrated example of FIG. 1, a ranking relationship having a hierarchical structure of three layers is set in the seven servers S. Although only seven servers S are provided in the illustrated example of FIG. 1, the number of layers of the hierarchical structure and the number of servers S subordinate to each server S can be set arbitrarily.

More specifically, one server S1 is set as a main server (parent server) in the highest layer of the hierarchical structure according to the example shown in FIG. 1, and the server is one layer below the main server S1. , Two servers S2 and S3 are set as relay servers (child servers). Relay server S2
Two servers S4 and S5 are set as a relay server (grandchild server) in a layer one level below the relay server S.
Two servers S6 and S7 are set as a relay server (grandchild server) in the layer immediately below 3. The ranking relationship set in each server S can be changed as appropriate, and which server S is set as the main server or the relay server can be freely changed by changing the setting. Each server S is provided with at least information for identifying the server S located in the hierarchy above each server S and the server S located in the hierarchy below each server S. .

In this system, in the initial state, the distribution information distributed by this system, for example, the moving image information is given only to the main server S1.
Only the distribution information is distributed to the main server S1, and the distribution information given to the main server S1 is relayed by the relay server S in response to an increase in the distribution request of the distribution information to this system.
2 to S7 to be given to the terminal device 1. Therefore, in the initial state, the functions of the relay servers S2 to S7 other than the main server S1 can be assigned to other uses other than the distribution of the distribution information.

The distribution of the distribution information of the terminal device 3 from each server S is performed in response to a distribution request from the terminal device 3. As for the distribution request, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the home page 11 of the desired server S is accessed via the terminal device 3 and the network 1, and the desired distribution information is selected on the home page 11 (of the distribution information). Requesting delivery). At this time, when the information distribution is performed by the main server S1, the distribution information is directly distributed from the main server S1 to the terminal device 3 via the network 1, whereas the information distribution is performed by the relay server S2, for example. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the distribution information once transferred from the main server S1 to the relay server S2 is distributed from the relay server S2 to the terminal device 3 via the network 1.

Further, the servers S1 to S3 belonging to the layers higher than the lowest layer of the hierarchical structure are respectively connected to the servers S1 to S3.
Each server S subordinate to S3 (for example, server S
The server list 21 for identifying the servers S1 and S2 in the case of 1, the servers S4 and S5 in the case of the server S2, and the servers S6 and S7 in the case of the server S3)
(See FIG. 4) are registered respectively. Each server S1
S3 to S3 determine the server S to which the distribution information is transferred, based on the server list 21. The servers S registered in the server list 21 are prioritized in a manner to be described later, and the server S to which the delivery information is transferred is determined based on the priorities.

The main server S1 transmits the distribution information to the terminal device 3 via the network 1 in response to the distribution request from the terminal device 3, and the load caused by the distribution information distribution operation reaches a predetermined capacity standard. Then, referring to the server list 21, at least one server S2, S3 of the servers S2, S3 in the server list 21 to be notified to the terminal device 3 is selected based on the priority order,
The addresses of the selected servers S2 and S3 are notified to the terminal device 3 via the network 1.

When the relay server S2 receives a distribution information distribution request from the terminal device 3 via the network 1,
The transmission of the distribution information is requested to the main server S1 via the network 1, the distribution information is received via the network 1, and the received distribution information is distributed via the network 1 to the terminal device 3 which has made the distribution request. To do. Further, when the load generated by the distribution operation of the distribution information reaches a predetermined capacity standard, the relay server S2 refers to the server list 21 and the servers S in the server list 21.
At least 1 of 4 and S5 to be notified to the terminal device 3
One of the servers S4, S5 is selected based on the priority order, and the address of the selected server S4, S5 is notified to the terminal device 3 via the network 1.

When the relay server S3 receives a distribution information distribution request from the terminal device 3 via the network 1,
The transmission of the distribution information is requested to the main server S1 via the network 1, the distribution information is received via the network 1, and the received distribution information is distributed via the network 1 to the terminal device 3 which has made the distribution request. To do. Further, when the load generated by the distribution operation of the distribution information reaches a predetermined capacity standard, the relay server S3 refers to the server list 21 and the servers S in the server list 21.
At least one of 6, and S7 to be notified to the terminal device 3
One of the servers S6 and S7 is selected based on the priority order, and the addresses of the selected servers S6 and S7 are notified to the terminal device 3 via the network 1.

When each relay server S4 to S7 receives a distribution information distribution request from the terminal device 3 via the network 1, it requests the relay server S2 or S3 via the network 1 to transmit the distribution information. The distribution information is received via the network 1, and the received distribution information is distributed via the network 1 to the terminal device 3 which has made the distribution request.

Here, various transmission modes such as the transmission timing of the distribution information from the upper layer server S to the lower layer server S can be considered depending on the type of the distribution information. As a first mode, when the distribution information is streaming information to be distributed by streaming, the distribution information may be distributed in the middle of the distribution information, for example, in the middle of moving image information for a predetermined time. If the information does not exist, it is transmitted in the following form. That is, when the server S (relay server S2 to S7) in a lower hierarchy than the main server S1 receives the distribution request for the distribution information from the terminal device 3 when the distribution information distribution operation is not performed, In response to the distribution request, the corresponding distribution information is received from the server S one layer above the server S, and the received distribution information is distributed to the terminal device 3 that has made the distribution request within the range of the capacity standard. On the other hand, the relay servers S2 to S7 are connected to the specific terminal device 3
When a distribution request 3 for the distribution information is made from another terminal device 3 while the distribution information is being distributed to another server, the distribution information for the server S in the upper layer is newly updated. The specific terminal device 3 without making a special distribution request.
The distribution information distributed to the other terminal device 3 is distributed to the other terminal device 3 within the range of the capacity standard.

As a second form, when the distribution information is streaming information to be distributed by streaming and it is necessary to start distribution from the beginning of the distribution information, or in general, which does not depend on streaming distribution. Of the distribution information (for example, information in which the distribution information is reproduced after all the distribution information is downloaded) is transmitted in the following form. That is, when the relay servers S2 to S7 receive the first distribution request for the distribution information from the terminal device 3, the corresponding distribution information corresponding to the distribution request is transmitted from the server S one layer above the server S. The received distribution information is distributed to the terminal device 3 which has made a distribution request within the range of the capacity standard, and the distribution information is held. Then, when the relay servers S2 to S7 receive the second and subsequent distribution requests for the distribution information, the relay servers S2 to S7 are the servers S in the higher layers.
The distribution information held in the relay servers S2 to S7 is distributed to the terminal device 3 which has requested the distribution information within the range of the capacity reference without making a new distribution request for the distribution information to the terminal device 3.

Further, as a third form, regardless of the type of distribution information, the servers S1 to S3 belonging to the hierarchy higher than the lowest hierarchy to the server S belonging to the hierarchy one level lower than the servers S1 to S3. , For example, relay servers S2 to S
Server S1 when notifying the terminal device 3 of the address of
~ S3 may transmit the distribution information to the server S corresponding to the notified address. In this case, the relay servers S2 to S7 hold the distribution information transmitted from the server S of the upper layer, and when the distribution request for the distribution information is received from the terminal device 3, the distribution information is transmitted to the terminal device. 3 is delivered within the range of the capacity standard.

The load generated by the distribution operation of the distribution information of each server S means the load on the information processing of each server S itself by the distribution operation. The load on the network 1 between the server S and the terminal device 3 may also be included.

The capacity standard set for this load is set individually for each of the servers S1 to S3,
The capacity is less than the capacity limit for the transmission processing of the distribution information of each of the servers S1 to S3, and is set to a standard that leaves a surplus capacity to handle the distribution request of at least one distribution information. In this embodiment, when the number of distribution requests from the terminal device 3 reaches a preset reference value, each of the servers S1 to S3 responds to the distribution request even if there are more distribution requests from the terminal device 3. The distribution information is not transmitted, and for the distribution request exceeding the reference value, the demand is distributed to the server S belonging to the lower hierarchy of the respective servers S1 to S3.

That is, when each of the servers S1 to S3 receives a distribution request exceeding the reference value, for example, each server S1 responds to a distribution request exceeding the reference value.
~ S3 is in a state in which distribution information cannot be distributed by the servers S1 to S3 itself, and a message requesting distribution to another server is sent, and the server in the server list 21 has the highest priority. The address of at least one server S counted is notified. In the present embodiment, the address of one server S having the highest priority among the plurality of servers S in the server list 21 is notified, but as a modification, the terminal device in the server list 21 is notified. The number of servers S to be notified to 3 may be increased stepwise as the number of distribution requests exceeds the reference value.

In this way, the terminal device 3 side notified of the address of the other server S connects to the server S of the notified address and makes a distribution request to the server S to distribute the distribution information. Can be received.

For example, when the main server S1 is connected via the terminal device 3 and a distribution request for desired distribution information is made to the main server S1, the distribution request to the main server S1 reaches the reference value. If not, the distribution information is distributed from the main server S1 to the terminal device 3. On the other hand, when the distribution request to the main server S1 reaches the reference value, the main server S1 sends the terminal device 3 a relay server S2 or S2 having a higher priority in the server list 21.
3, for example, the address of the relay server S2 is notified.

The terminal device 3 which has received the address notification makes a distribution information distribution request to the relay server S2 based on the address. At this time, the relay server S2
When the distribution request to the relay server S2 has not reached the reference value, the distribution information given from the main server S1 to the relay server S2 is distributed from the relay server S2 to the terminal device 3, while the distribution request to the relay server S2 is the reference value. If the value has been reached,
The relay server S2 notifies the terminal device 3 of the address of the relay server S4 or S5 having the higher priority in the server list 21, for example, the address of the relay server S4.

The terminal device 3 which has received the address notification makes a distribution information distribution request to the relay server S4 based on the address, and relays the distribution information given from the relay server S2 to the relay server S4. It is distributed from the server S4 to the terminal device 3.

Further, the server S belonging to the lower hierarchy than the highest hierarchy, for example, the relay servers S2 to S7 succeeds when the distribution information from the relay servers S2 to S7 to the terminal device 3 succeeds. The relay servers S2 to S7
It has a function of notifying the server S belonging to the next higher hierarchy. For example, the relay server S2 notifies the main server S1 of the successful distribution of the distribution information, and the relay server S4
Notifies the relay server S2 of the successful distribution of the distribution information.

Correspondingly, the server S belonging to a layer higher than the lowest layer, for example, the servers S1 to S3, is given the success described above given from each server S belonging to the layer one lower than the server S1 to S3. Based on the notification, the success status of the distribution of the distribution information of each server S is recognized, the priority is given to each server S belonging to the next lower layer based on the recognition result, and the server is based on the priority. Listing 21
To create. That is, the server S in the server list 21
Is determined based on the success status of information distribution of the server S in the list 21, and the higher the success degree of the distribution information, the higher the priority of the server S.

In this embodiment, each of the servers S1 to S3 is
Successful delivery of each server S belonging to a layer one level lower than the servers S1 to S3 is accumulated for a predetermined period, and the success status (success rate, etc.) of each day of the week or each time zone, or each time zone of each day of the week. For each day, the priority order to be given to the server S in the list 21 is prepared for each day of the week, for each time zone, or for each time zone of each day of the week. Therefore, the server S notified from each of the servers S1 to S3 to the terminal device 3 automatically changes for each day of the week, for each time period, or for each time period of each day of the week. Further, the priority order of the server S in the server list 21 is automatically changed according to the change of the distribution status of the server S, for example, the decrease in the number of successful distributions.

Further, each server S2 recognized in this way
The information on the success status of the distribution of S7 to S7 is sequentially passed from the lower layer to the upper layer by the server S of each layer of the hierarchical structure, and is given to the main server S1 of the highest layer. The main server S1 is assigned to each of the given servers S2.
Based on the success status of the distribution of S7 to S7, the hierarchical structure is rearranged and the server S used in the system is replaced.

Further, the server S belonging to the hierarchy lower than the highest hierarchy, for example, the relay server S, reports the congestion status regarding the distribution request from the terminal device 3 to the server S belonging to the hierarchy one higher than the server S. It has the function of notifying.

Correspondingly, the server S belonging to the higher hierarchy than the lowest hierarchy, for example, the servers S1 to S3, has a predetermined criterion that the congestion status of the server S in the server list 21 which has notified the terminal device 3 of the address. When it reaches, the terminal device 3 is notified of the address of the next priority server S of the server S instead of the congested server S.

For example, the terminal device 3 for the main server S1
The number of delivery requests from the server exceeds the reference value, and the main server S1 uses the address of the relay server S2, S3 having a higher priority in the server list 21 for load balancing, for example, the address of the relay server S2 as a terminal device. 3, when the main server S1 recognizes that the congestion status of the relay server S2 has reached the predetermined standard by the notification from the relay server S2, instead of the relay server S2, the server list is displayed. The main server S1 notifies the terminal device 3 of the address of the relay server S3 located in the next priority order of the relay server S2 in 21.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the initial stage, only the main server S1 having the highest ranking relationship among the plurality of servers S owns the distribution information and distributes the distribution information. When the number of distribution requests to the system is increased, the number of servers S that distribute the distribution information is increased step by step according to a preset ranking relationship. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a large load from being applied to one server S, and set the number of servers S actually used to distribute the distribution information among the plurality of servers S to the minimum according to the number of distribution requests. You can
The system usage efficiency can be improved.

The processing performed by each server S on the terminal device 3 when the load generated by the transmission operation of each server S reaches a predetermined capacity standard is substantially the same as that of each server S.
Since only the process of notifying the address of the server S in the layer one lower than the above is performed, the system can be easily configured.

Furthermore, the ranking relationship set for the plurality of servers S has a pyramid-like hierarchical structure, and the number of servers S that distribute the distribution information increases numerically as the hierarchical structure descends to the lower side. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with a sudden increase in distribution requests.

Further, each server S belonging to the hierarchy lower than the topmost hierarchy, for example, the relay servers S2 to S7 indicates that the transmission of the distribution information to the terminal device 3 is successful.
The server S belonging to the next higher hierarchy of 2 to S7 is notified.
Thus, it is possible to easily recognize the successful transmission status of the server S belonging to the lower hierarchy.

Further, when each server S notifies the terminal device 3 of the address of the server S belonging to the layer immediately below the respective server S, the priority order is set based on the success status of transmission of the distribution information. On the basis of this, the address of at least one server S having a higher priority is selected and notified to the terminal device 3. Therefore, it is preferable to request which server S the distribution information is distributed. It is not necessary for the terminal device 3 side to determine whether or not the distribution information is distributed to the terminal device 3 side with high reliability by requesting the distribution of the distribution information from the server S of the notified address. it can.

[0052]

According to the invention described in claims 1, 2 and 8 to 10, only the main server holds the distribution information when the load generated by the transmission operation of the main server does not reach the predetermined capacity standard. However, the distribution information is distributed, and when the load reaches a predetermined capacity standard, another server is used to distribute the distribution information. It is possible to prevent a heavy load from being applied to the server) and to allocate the functions of the servers other than the main server to other uses until the load reaches a predetermined capacity standard, thereby improving the system usage efficiency.

Further, when the load generated by the transmission operation of the main server reaches a predetermined capacity standard, the processing performed by the main server for the terminal device is substantially the same as at least one of the other servers. The system can be easily configured because only the process of notifying is notified.

According to the invention described in claims 3 to 8, 11 and 12, only the server having the highest ranking relationship among the plurality of servers has the distribution information at the initial stage, and the distribution information is distributed. When the number of distribution requests to the system is increased, the number of servers that distribute the distribution information is increased step by step according to a preset ranking relationship. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a large load from being applied to one server, and to set the number of servers that are actually used to distribute the distribution information among the plurality of servers to the minimum according to the number of distribution requests. You can
The system usage efficiency can be improved.

Further, the processing performed by each server with respect to the terminal device when the load caused by the transmission operation of each server reaches a predetermined capacity standard, substantially notifies the server one level lower than each server. The system can be easily configured because only the process of performing is performed.

According to the invention described in claim 5, the ranking relationship set in the plurality of servers has a pyramid-like hierarchical structure, and the distribution information is distributed as the hierarchical structure descends to the lower side. The number of can be increased arithmetically, and a sudden increase in distribution requests can be easily dealt with.

According to the invention described in claim 6, each of the servers belonging to the lower hierarchy than the highest hierarchy in the hierarchical structure among the plurality of servers determines the success of the transmission of the distribution information to the terminal device. A server belonging to a hierarchy one level above the hierarchy to which the server belongs is notified via a network or a communication line. It is possible to easily recognize the successful transmission status of the.

According to the invention described in claim 7, when each server notifies the terminal device of a server belonging to one lower hierarchy of each server, it is set based on the success status of the transmission of the distribution information. At least one server is selected from a plurality of servers belonging to the lower hierarchy based on the priority order and notified to the terminal device. Therefore, a distribution information distribution request is sent to any server. It is not necessary for the terminal device side to determine whether it is preferable to perform the distribution information delivery, and by requesting the delivery of the delivery information to the notified server, the terminal device side can receive the delivery information with high reliability. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram when selecting distribution information to be received from a server on the terminal device side.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram when distribution information is distributed from a server to a terminal device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a server list.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a conventional information distribution system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 network 3 terminal devices S, S1-S7 server 21 server list

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An information distribution system including a plurality of servers connectable to a terminal device via a network and mutually connectable via the network or via a communication line different from the network. And at least one server of the plurality of servers is
Set to the main server and given distribution information to be distributed, the main server transmits the distribution information to the terminal device via the network in response to a request from the terminal device,
When the load generated by the transmission operation reaches a predetermined capacity standard, at least one other server other than the main server among the plurality of servers is notified to the terminal device via the network, and the other server Receives the distribution information from the main server via the network or the communication line, and transmits the distribution information to the terminal device via the network in response to a request from the terminal device. Information distribution system. 2. The main server, when notifying the terminal device of the other server, notifies the address of the other server.
Information distribution system described in. 3. An information distribution system including a plurality of servers connectable to a terminal device via a network and mutually connectable via the network or via a communication line different from the network. In addition, the ranking relationship is preset in the plurality of servers,
Distribution information to be distributed is given to a server with the highest ranking relationship among the plurality of servers, and the highest server transmits the distribution information via the network in response to a request from the terminal device. And send it to the terminal device,
When the load generated by the transmission operation reaches a predetermined capacity standard, the ranking relationship among the plurality of servers notifies the terminal device via the network of one lower-order server of the highest-order server, Among the plurality of servers, each server whose rank relationship is lower than the highest rank server is distributed from the server whose rank relationship is one rank higher than each server via the network or the communication line. When receiving the information and transmitting the distribution information to the terminal device via the network in response to a request from the terminal device, and when the load generated by the transmitting operation reaches a predetermined capacity reference, Characterized in that the ranking relationship among them notifies the terminal device via the network of the server one level lower than each server. Information distribution system for. 4. The server, when notifying the terminal device of the server that is one order lower than each server in the ranking relationship, notifies the address of the server that is one order lower. The information delivery system according to item 3. 5. The information according to claim 3, wherein the rank relation has a pyramid-like hierarchical structure in which the rank relation is divided into a plurality of stages toward the lower side of the rank relation. Delivery system. 6. Each of the plurality of servers, which belongs to a layer lower than the highest layer in the hierarchical structure, determines that each of the servers in the hierarchical structure succeeds in transmitting the distribution information to the terminal device. The information distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the server belonging to a layer one level higher than the layer to which the server belongs is notified via the network or the communication line. 7. The respective servers belonging to a higher hierarchy than the lowest hierarchy in the hierarchical structure among the plurality of servers are given from the respective servers in a hierarchy one hierarchy lower than the respective hierarchical structures. Based on the notification of the success, the success status of the transmission of the distribution information of each of the servers in the one lower hierarchy is recognized, and the respective servers belonging to the one lower hierarchy are prioritized based on the recognition result. 7. The information distribution system according to claim 6, wherein at least one server is selected from the servers belonging to a lower hierarchy based on the priority order and the selected terminal is notified to the terminal device. 8. An information distribution method, wherein the information distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is used to distribute distribution information to a terminal device via a network. 9. A program used in the information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the program is executed by a computer to cause the computer to function as the main server of the information distribution system. . 10. The program used in the information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the program is executed by a computer to cause the computer to function as the other server of the information distribution system. program. 11. A program used in the information distribution system according to claim 3, wherein the program is executed by a computer to cause the computer to function as the highest-level server of the information distribution system. Program to do. 12. The program used in the information distribution system according to claim 3, wherein the computer executes the program so that the ranking relationship among the plurality of servers in the information distribution system is satisfied. A program that functions as a lower-level server than the highest-level server.