JP2004341929A - Active route service method, its device and program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly access and acquire popular contents owned by individuals which are generated like spots and bursts without stress. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of communication terminals 3-6 connected to a packet communication network such as an IP network 1 constituted of repeaters such as a plurality of routers 11-22 and a plurality of links 31-54 transmit/receive contents in accordance with a P2P connection format. The communication terminals 5, 6 intending to acquire popular contents can collect constitutional information, route information, using band information, remaining band information, and the information of users having already acquired the contents from a center 2 through the connected communication network 1 and select a contents acquiring source and a contents acquiring route based on these informations. In this case, the communication terminals 3, 4 are communication terminals of users having already acquired the contents. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for transmitting and receiving contents in a P2P (peer to peer) connection mode, and a program and a recording medium thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method for preventing traffic from concentrating on a server having specific content and becoming inaccessible, a load distribution method by route control and the like have been used. In this method, traffic on routes along the route can be distributed and lowered, but traffic on links directly connected to the content is not distributed and the traffic remains high, and it is effective unless the content provider has links with high transmission capacity. I don't go up.
Further, the load distribution method using mirroring requires a mirror to be prepared in advance, and thus has a problem of lack of responsiveness and economy.
These conventional techniques are disclosed, for example, in "Communication Network Terminology Handbook", 2000 edition (released by Nikkei BP Publishing Center) (see Non-Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Non-patent document 1]
"Communication Network Terminology Handbook" 2000 edition (released by Nikkei BP Publishing Center)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the conventional method, when the content of a small business or a personal content holder who does not have a link having a high transmission capacity and does not have a mirror server becomes a topic, a person who wants to acquire the content receives The access to the Internet has increased and the traffic has increased, making it difficult to obtain popular content.
In the future peer-to-peer (P2P) era, there is no longer a distinction between who is a content provider and who is a content collector. There is a sudden increase in the number of collectors who want to become content and watch the popular content as soon as possible. Even in such a situation, a person who wants to acquire popular content can immediately access the content, and a service that can acquire the content without stress is desired.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to enable quick and stress-free access and acquisition of popular contents possessed by individuals that occur in a spot-like or burst-like manner, and as a result, expand the transmission and reception of contents in the P2P era. It is an object of the present invention to provide an active route service method and apparatus capable of performing the above, and a program and a recording medium thereof.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The active route service method of the present invention is a service that responds to a spot-like and burst-like increase in traffic for accessing popular content owned by small businesses and individuals. In order to realize this, the content provider must Rather than fixing this person, the person who has acquired the content can become the content provider in the next stage so that the number of providers can be increased and the content acquisition route can be selected.
[0007]
In the active route service method according to the present invention, a communication terminal is connected to a communication network in order to allow a user to access popular contents generated in a spot-like or burst-like manner and to obtain the contents without stress. , The bandwidth information, the used bandwidth information, the remaining bandwidth information, and the information of the person who has already acquired the content are collected, and an acquisition source and an acquisition route of the content are selected based on each of the pieces of information (see claim 1).
[0008]
Also, a relay device such as a router that configures a packet communication network such as an IP network formed by a relay device such as a plurality of routers and a plurality of links includes configuration information indicating a topology of the packet communication network such as an IP network and a relay device such as a router. And sends out route information indicating the available bandwidth and the traffic status of the link connecting the two to each other (see claim 2).
[0009]
In addition, in a plurality of communication terminals connected to a packet communication network such as an IP network configured by a plurality of links with a relay device such as a plurality of routers, the content can be shared regardless of the presence or absence of the content and during acquisition of the content. The communication terminal in (1) sends out the information as the acquirer information including the content name and the attribute as the communication terminal of the provider (refer to claim 3).
[0010]
In addition, a packet communication network such as an IP network collects and publishes configuration information, route information, and information of a person who has already been acquired, transmitted to the communication network (see claim 4).
Further, the information processing terminal or the communication terminal positioned as the center server serves both as a server having a function of a center server for collecting configuration information and route information in the active route service and as a server for managing a group of devices constituting the network. This server is located at a position where it can communicate with each device independently of the network through which the content flows (see claim 5).
Also, an information processing terminal or a communication terminal connected to a packet communication network such as an IP network and positioned as a center server collects configuration information, route information, and information on a person who has already acquired information, and publishes the processing result (see claim 6). ).
[0011]
Further, the information processing terminal or the communication terminal positioned as the center server sets an acquisition source and an acquisition route of a content set from a plurality of communication terminals connected to the communication network in a relay device such as a router configuring the communication network ( See claim 7).
Also, in transmission of the acquirer information of the communication terminal, the program installed in the communication terminal adds the acquirer information of the communication terminal to a packet transmitted by the program (see claim 8). .
In a case where a relay device such as a router configuring a communication network does not transmit configuration information and route information of the communication network to an information processing device or a communication terminal that controls and manages the communication network, a program of the communication terminal may be used. When the packet transmitted by the router passes through the relay device such as the router, the relay device such as the router adds the configuration information and the route information of the communication network to the packet (see claim 9).
[0012]
Further, when the information processing terminal or the communication terminal connected to the communication network has a specific authority or a specific contract, a packet transmitted by the program and transmitted through the communication network or the information processing terminal or the communication terminal Then, from the packet arriving at the communication terminal, configuration information of the communication network, route information, and information of a person who has already acquired the communication terminal are extracted (see claim 10).
Further, when the communication network is configured by dynamic routing, information in a packet of a routing protocol transmitted and received in the communication network is transmitted as configuration information and route information of the communication network (see claim 11).
Also, in this case, especially when RIP is used as a routing protocol, the RIP optimal route information is transmitted as route information, and the RIP optimal route information is transmitted as configuration information and route information other than the route information ( Refer to claim 12).
[0013]
In addition, when the acquirer information is transmitted, the communication terminal that has provided the content and the communication terminal that has acquired the content can transmit the information (see claims 13 and 14).
Further, when transmitting the route information, it is possible to combine the available bandwidth information (physical bandwidth or contract bandwidth) and the used bandwidth rate information (see claim 15).
In addition, when the communication terminal that has provided the content transmits the acquirer information, it is possible to transmit the ratio of the provided content during the provision of the content (see claim 16).
[0014]
In addition, when the communication terminal that has acquired the content sends the acquirer information, it is possible to send the ratio of the acquired content while acquiring the content (see claim 17).
Also, when collecting and publishing the acquired information, the acquired information can be totaled and ranked for each content (see claim 18).
Further, when the route information is collected and made public, it is possible to specify the number of steps, the step width, and the display color in the stepped display of the link traffic status (see claim 19).
[0015]
In the configuration of the communication network, a logical topology such as VLAN, ELAN, or VPN is transmitted as configuration information (see claim 20).
Also, in the display of the logical topology, it is possible to specify the division and the display color (see claim 21).
Also, based on a designation operation using a WEB or a command line from the information processing terminal and the communication terminal, the acquisition source and the acquisition route of the content can be set in a relay device such as a router configuring the communication network. 22).
[0016]
In addition, when personal identification information such as an e-mail address and user ID is disclosed among a plurality of communication terminals connected to a communication network, it is possible to communicate by e-mail, chat, and a simple messaging service. (See Claims 23, 24, and 25).
In addition, the communication network configuration information and the route information are displayed at a fee, and the user can select the information (refer to claims 26 and 27).
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a network configuration for implementing an active route service method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, 11 to 22 are relay devices such as routers, 31 to 54 are links, 1 is an IP network composed of routers 11 to 22 and links 31 to 54, 3 is a communication terminal A having popular contents, and 4 is popular contents. Are the communication terminals C and 6 that are trying to obtain popular content, and the communication terminals C and 6 are those that are trying to obtain popular content.
[0018]
Note that the number of communication terminals is variable, and the presence or absence of popular content shared by the communication terminals is not limited.
The IP network 1 has a configuration in which, in addition to the routers 11 to 22 and the links 31 to 54, an information processing terminal center 2 that collects configuration information, route information, and already acquired user information and makes the information public is added. Further, the center 2 is located at a position where the management of the routers 11 to 22 can be performed.
[0019]
Network route management methods can be roughly classified into two. Among them, information collection methods can be classified into two types: a center type and a scanning packet type.
When the route management of the network is static routing including STM (Synchronous Transport Module) / ATM (Asynchronous Transport Module), each of the routers 11 to 22 has the same configuration information indicating the topology of the entire IP network 1, and which router If the router can also grasp the configuration information of the IP network, the router can send the configuration information. When each of the routers 11 to 22 has limited information such as the information of the router itself, a center 2 is set as the network configuration information, and the center 2 collects the network configuration information of each router and manages the topology. I do.
[0020]
When a scan packet is periodically transmitted to a link, information can be added to the datagram and the above-mentioned information can be obtained at a terminal communication terminal or each router. In this case, the center 2 does not need to be the same as the information processing terminal for control and management directly connected to each router. The information processing terminal may be connected to a specific position in the middle of the link, only to a specific router, or may be at a terminal communication terminal.
[0021]
When the route management of the network is dynamic routing, the information of the dynamic routing can be used. Existing routing protocols such as RIP (Routing Information Protocol), OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) can also be used.
If there is a function of sending the second and third route information discarded by RIP, this function can be used. For example, in the case of OSPF, an LSDB (Link State DataBase) that identifies the link of each router by cost can be used. For example, in the case of BGP, path attribute information exchanged between BGP-enabled routers can be used.
[0022]
The available bandwidth or the physical bandwidth information of each of the links 31 to 54 can be used by each router connected to the link to send to the center 2. In the case of a network in which design information or OSPF is valid, LSDB can be used.
The route information indicating the remaining available bandwidth or the traffic status of each of the links 31 to 54 can be used when each router connected to the link sends it to the center 2. For example, the router 11 can transmit information on the link 31, the link 35, and the link 37 to the center 2.
[0023]
When a scan packet is periodically transmitted to a link, information can be added to this datagram and the above-mentioned information can be obtained at a terminal communication terminal or each router. In this case, the center 2 does not need to be directly connected to each router and to be the same as the server for controlling and managing. For example, it may be connected only to a specific position in the middle of a link, a specific router, or may be at a terminal communication terminal.
[0024]
The center 2 collects the configuration information of the IP network 1, the route information of the IP network 1 sent from each of the routers 11 to 22, and the acquirer information of the communication terminal connected to the IP network 1, for example, the communication terminal C 5. Alternatively, when there is an access from the communication terminal D6, the acquirer information for each content and the respective positions of the acquirer terminal and the terminal that has accessed are specified from the IP address or MAC address or port number or the terminal-specific ID. Then, the route candidate information connecting the two terminals and the route information of each link related to each route are made public. Further, when the specified information of the communication terminal to be acquired and the setting information of the acquisition route are set from the accessing communication terminal, each setting information is transmitted to each router on the acquisition route, and the route is statically set. .
[0025]
In a packet communication network 1 such as an IP network, when network configuration information is partitioned by a logical topology such as VLAN, ELAN, or VPN, a relay device such as a router that configures the communication network uses information that configures the logical topology. The center 2 has a function of collecting and disclosing configuration information according to a logical topology. In addition, the center 2 can choose to make only the logical topology information to which these communication terminals belong open to the communication terminals connected to this communication network.
[0026]
The communication terminals A3 to D6 have the same functional configuration, but for ease of explanation, the communication terminals A3 and B4 having popular contents and the communication terminals C5 and Terminal D6. Transmission of the acquirer information from the communication terminals A3 to D6 is performed each time by adding it to the datagram of the packet transmitted by the application.
[0027]
The communication terminal C5 and the communication terminal D6 access the center 2 to obtain information to be disclosed, specify a communication terminal from which the content is to be obtained, and set an acquisition route. Depending on the service level, it is possible to mediate the center 2 using the WEB or the command line and to set the policy division and the band use restriction for a plurality of connection destinations. Then, the content is acquired from the acquisition destination communication terminal. Depending on the service level, since the communication terminal itself becomes the center 2, it is possible to have all of the configuration information, the route information, and the already acquired information obtained from each of the routers 11 to 22.
That is, this is equivalent to arranging the center 2 at the position of the communication terminal.
The information processing terminal or the communication terminal having the function of the center 2 serves both as a server having a function of a center server for collecting configuration information and route information in the active route service and a server for managing a group of devices constituting the network. be able to. This server is at a position where it can communicate with each device independently of the network through which the content flows.
The center that collects configuration information etc. can access the device from a dedicated network using the same terminal as the server to be controlled, access it from the in-channel, or if the client on the network has special authority. is there.
[0028]
FIG. 2 is an example of a sequence chart of the active route service in the present invention.
Here, a sequence between the communication terminal A3 and the communication terminal B2, each of the routers 11 to 22, the center 2, and the communication terminal C5 and the communication terminal D6 is shown.
Initially, neither the communication terminal C5 nor the communication terminal D6 has acquired the content of any of the communication terminals other than the communication terminal A3.
On the IP network 1, there are configuration information and route information sent from each of the routers 11 to 22 and information on the person who has already acquired each communication terminal, and these are collected by the center 2 (S1 to S5). The center 2 publishes this information (S6).
[0029]
In this state, if the communication terminal C5 accesses the center 2 to obtain information for acquiring the content of the communication terminal A3 (S7), for example, the information of the communication terminal A3, which is the acquirer, and the communication terminal A3 Since the route candidate information and the route information during C5 can be obtained and the information of the person who has already obtained can be obtained (S8), the terminal from which the content is to be obtained is specified and the obtaining route is selected based on these. 2 (S9). The center 2 specifies a terminal to be an acquisition destination and sets an acquisition route for each router (S10), whereby an acquisition route for the content is established between the communication terminal A3 and the communication terminal C5 (S11). ), And acquire the content (S12).
[0030]
The acquirer information of the communication terminal C5 is updated at any time due to a temporal change of the content acquisition (S13). Content information such as the name of the content, the entire file size, and the content type, and the partially acquired information of the content are added to the already acquired person information of the communication terminal C5. The center 2 also collects and discloses the information (S14).
In this state, the communication terminal D6 can acquire both the content held by the communication terminal A3 and the content being acquired by the communication terminal C5.
[0031]
According to the center access from the communication terminal D6 (S15), based on the obtained public information of the center 2 (S16), the terminal from which the content is to be obtained is specified, A3 is temporarily specified and the acquisition route is selected, and the center 2 is specified. (S17). The center 2 sends an acquisition command to each of the routers 11 to 22 (S18). As a result, the content acquisition route is established between the communication terminal A3 and the communication terminal C5 (S19), and the content is acquired (S20).
Here, depending on the content, the content can be simultaneously acquired from both communication terminals (A3 and C5) using the resume function (S21 to S22).
[0032]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a terminal reception screen of center public information according to the present invention.
Here, in the sequence chart of FIG. 2, a screen when the communication terminal AA accesses the center 2 to obtain public information, and then narrows down the acquisition destination terminals is shown. The communication terminal AA specifies the desired content from the search window using a keyword, a file name, or a file hash function. In the center 2, the windows 61 and 62 are returned from the database of the file published by the connected communication terminal. The window 61 is a topology map, which is based on the used bandwidth rate as an example. However, it is also possible to display a topology map based on an actual available bandwidth, a usage fee, or an example of a selected route. is there.
[0033]
The map is based on the database of the center 2, and can be displayed at different scales and near the acquisition source. These are displayed for each content, and in this example, the route candidate information and the route information with the already acquired terminal (BB) are displayed. The route information is an example of a combination display of the available bandwidth information and the used bandwidth rate information. The traffic status is displayed by setting the number of steps to 3 and setting the step width to 30% or less / 31% to 70% / 70% or more. In this example, the display colors are designated as green / yellow / red. Also, the already acquired person information shows an example in which acquired information of the divided data is handled (content acquired and content not acquired).
The user selects an acquisition route by pressing the routers 11 to 16 or selecting an example of the selected route.
[0034]
The window 62 is a window for providing information about the content, and includes a content name, an already acquired terminal, a content type, a content size, and a hash function of the content file.
The window 63 is a search window in which the user inputs a search word for searching for new content. The user returns a response from the database of the center 2 by inputting a keyword assuming content or a hash function in the search window.
[0035]
The window 64 is a chat window that enables communication among users who have disclosed their information among those who have already acquired the information. Before selecting the provider from the information providing screen, the subscriber of the service of the present invention or the user or communication terminal connected to the IP network 1 or the administrator of the information communication terminal, If the e-mail address or the information identifying the individual is disclosed, it is possible to communicate with the provider by this.
[0036]
In addition, after the connection is established based on the acquisition route setting, if the provider's e-mail address or information identifying the individual is disclosed from the provider, communication with the provider can be performed using this. it can.
Further, the communication terminal connected to the IP network 1 can use the chat and simple messaging service anonymously by the function of the program for realizing the service of the present invention.
[0037]
Further, if the program for realizing the service of the present invention is stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, it is convenient for selling and lending the program, and the recording medium is stored in a computer such as a center 2 in the IP network 1. The present invention can be easily realized by installing the program and installing the program or downloading the program to another computer via a network.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly and without stress to access and acquire popular content possessed by an individual that occurs in a spot-like or burst-like manner, and in the P2P (peer to peer) era. Content transmission and reception can be expanded.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network for implementing an active route service method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an operation sequence chart of a service according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of a terminal reception screen of center public information according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... IP network, 2 ... Center / information processing terminal, 3-6 ... Communication terminal,
11 to 22: relay devices such as routers,
31 to 54 link for connecting a relay device such as a router;
A, B: Communication terminals with popular content,
C, D: Communication terminals trying to acquire popular content.

Claims (36)

An active route service method in which a plurality of communication terminals are connected to a packet communication network including an IP network including a relay device including a plurality of routers and a plurality of links, and transmit and receive contents in a peer-to-peer connection mode. ,
The communication terminal can be used for transmitting and receiving the configuration information of the packet communication network, the path information for transmitting and receiving the desired content, the used band information being used, and the content from the packet communication network to be connected. An active route service method, comprising collecting remaining bandwidth information and all or part of information on a person who has already acquired the content, and selecting a content acquisition source and an acquisition route based on the collected information. An active route service method in which a plurality of communication terminals are connected to a packet communication network including an IP network including a relay device including a plurality of routers and a plurality of links, and transmit and receive contents in a peer-to-peer connection mode. ,
An active route service method, wherein a relay device including the router sends configuration information and route information of the packet communication network. An active route service method in which a plurality of communication terminals are connected to a packet communication network including an IP network including a relay device including a plurality of routers and a plurality of links, and transmit and receive contents in a peer-to-peer connection mode. ,
An active route service for transmitting information of content owned and shared by the communication terminal physically connected to the packet communication network and information of a content being acquired as information on a previously acquired user; Method. An active route service method in which a plurality of communication terminals are connected to a packet communication network including an IP network including a relay device including a plurality of routers and a plurality of links, and transmit and receive contents in a peer-to-peer connection mode. ,
An active route service method, wherein the packet communication network collects configuration information, route information, and already acquired user information sent to the packet communication network, and publishes the collected information. The active route service method according to claim 4,
An information processing terminal or a communication terminal positioned as a center server that collects each information of the packet communication network collects configuration information and route information in an active route service, and communicates with a group of devices constituting a network. An active route service method comprising managing a group. The active route service method according to claim 4,
An information processing terminal or a communication terminal positioned as a center server that collects each piece of information of the packet communication network is connected to the packet communication network and sent to the packet communication network for configuration information, route information, and previously acquired person information. An active route service method characterized by collecting information and publishing the collected information. The active route service method according to claim 1,
An information processing terminal or a communication terminal positioned as a center server that collects each piece of information of the packet communication network, determines a content acquisition source and an acquisition route set from a plurality of communication terminals connected to the packet communication network. An active route service method, wherein the method is set in a relay device including a router that configures the above. The active route service method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An active route service method, wherein a program for realizing the function is installed in the communication terminal, and information on a person who has already acquired the communication terminal is added to a packet transmitted by the program. The active route service method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
In the communication terminal, a program for realizing the function is installed, and when a packet transmitted by the program passes through a relay device including the router, the relay device including the router configures the packet communication network. An active route service method comprising adding information and route information to the packet. The active route service method according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
The center server or an information processing terminal or a communication terminal having a specific authority or having made a specific contract has a program for realizing the above function installed therein, and a packet that passes through a network or reaches the center server. An active route service method, wherein the program extracts configuration information of a packet communication network, route information, and previously acquired information transmitted by a communication terminal, which are transmitted by a relay device including a router from a packet. The active route service method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An active route service method, wherein information in a routing protocol used for existing dynamic routing and transmitted / received between relay devices including the router is transmitted as configuration information or route information. The active route service method according to claim 11,
RIP (Routing Information Protocol) is used, and information in a routing protocol transmitted and received between the relay devices including the router is transmitted as route information other than the optimal route information specified by the RIP as configuration information and route information. An active route service method. The active route service method according to claim 3,
An active route service method, wherein the content is obtained by a communication terminal that has already acquired the content, when the information is transmitted as the acquirer information. The active route service method according to claim 3,
An active route service method, wherein when transmitting as the acquired person information, a communication terminal that has provided the content and a communication terminal that has already acquired the content have the active route service method. The active route service method according to claim 2,
An active route service method comprising combining available bandwidth information and used bandwidth rate information when a relay device including the router sends out route information. The active route service method according to claim 3,
An active route service method, wherein, when transmitting information on a person who has acquired the content, during the provision of the content, a ratio of an already provided content is indicated. The active route service method according to claim 3,
An active route service method, wherein when information of a person who has already acquired the content is transmitted, a ratio of the acquired content is indicated during acquisition of the content. The active route service method according to claim 1,
An active route service method comprising: collecting the acquired user information and, when publishing the information, summing up the acquired person information for each of the contents and ranking the contents. The active route service method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When collecting the route information and publishing the information, as a graded display of the traffic status of the link, it is possible to specify all or any of the number of steps, the step width, and the display color. Active route service method to do. The active route service method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When the configuration information is collected and the information is made public, the active or inactive state of the relay device including the router, the topology of the relay device including the router configuring the communication network, and the logic including VLAN, ELAN, and VPN are included. An active route service method characterized in that, when displaying a logical topology that distinguishes links dynamically, it is possible to specify a segment and a display color. The active route service method according to claim 2,
The configuration information and the route information of the packet communication network are divided into areas of subscribers and communication terminals, such as VLAN, ELAN, and VPN, and when a logical topology different from the physical topology exists, information constituting the logical topology An active route service method characterized by transmitting The active route service method according to claim 1,
The content acquisition source and the acquisition route are set in a relay device including a router configuring the packet communication network based on a designation operation using a web or a command line from the communication terminal or the information processing terminal. Active route service method to do. The active route service method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Before the communication terminal or the information processing terminal connected to the IP network selects the provider from the information providing screen, if the e-mail address of the provider or the information identifying the individual is disclosed, An active route service method comprising communicating with a provider via a communication network. The active route service method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
After the connection is established based on the setting of the acquisition route, when the e-mail address of the provision destination or information for identifying the individual is disclosed from the provider, communication with the provider is performed based on the information. An active route service method characterized by performing communication via a network. The active route service method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An active route service method, wherein a communication terminal connected to the IP network can perform an anonymous chat and a simple messaging service by executing a program for realizing the function. The active route service method according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
The information processing terminal or communication terminal positioned as the center server processes the configuration information and the route information of the packet communication network, replaces them with an arbitrary fee, and separates them into sections and displays. An active route service method, wherein an acquisition destination and an acquisition route can be selected. The active route service method according to claim 15,
The information processing terminal or the communication terminal positioned as the center server processes the configuration information and the route information of the packet communication network, replaces them with an arbitrary fee, classifies and displays, and obtains content on the screen of the terminal according to the fee. An active route service method, wherein a destination and an acquisition route can be selected. A relay device in which a plurality of communication terminals are connected to a packet communication network including an IP network configured by a plurality of routers and a plurality of links, and transmits and receives contents in a peer-to-peer connection mode,
From the packet communication network to be connected, configuration information of the packet communication network, path information for transmitting and receiving desired content, used bandwidth information being used, and remaining bandwidth information that can be used for transmitting and receiving the content, A relay device including a router, comprising means for transmitting all or a part of information of a person who has already acquired the content. A relay device in which a plurality of communication terminals are connected to a packet communication network including an IP network configured by a plurality of routers and a plurality of links, and transmits and receives contents in a peer-to-peer connection mode,
Means for sending a packet to a link of the packet communication network, and means for adding configuration information and route information of the packet communication network to the packet when the packet passes by a program installed in advance. A relay device characterized by the above-mentioned. The relay device according to claim 29,
In a packet communication network including the IP network, means for transmitting information in a routing protocol used for existing dynamic routing and transmitted / received between the relay devices as configuration information and route information of the packet communication network is provided. Characteristic relay device. The relay device according to claim 29 or 30,
In a packet communication network including the IP network, RIP (Routing Information Protocol) is used, and information in a routing protocol transmitted / received between the relay devices is converted into routing information other than the optimal routing information defined by the RIP. And relay means for transmitting the information as route information. The relay device according to any one of claims 29 to 31,
In the configuration information and the route information of the packet communication network, subscribers and communication terminals such as VLAN, ELAN, and VPN are divided into areas, and when a logical topology different from the physical topology exists, information configuring the logical topology is included. A relay device comprising a sending unit. The relay device according to any one of claims 29 to 32,
A relay device comprising: means for setting the content acquisition source and the acquisition route based on a designation operation using a web or a command line from the communication terminal or the information processing terminal. An active route service program for causing a communication terminal in a packet communication network or a computer in an information processing terminal to execute the procedure of the active route service method according to claim 1. An active route service program for causing a computer in a relay device including a router in a packet communication network to execute the procedure of the active route service method according to any one of claims 1 to 27. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program for an active route service according to claim 34 or 35 is recorded.

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