Distribution method and distribution system

• US 8,656,036 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2012
• Issued: 02/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Maruyama, Joji, Hayashi, Katsunori, Hirata, Shinichi, Koharagi, Takahiro, Furusawa, Takuji, Kawasumi, Hiroaki, Nozawa, Masaharu, Kobayashi, Katsumi
• Primary Examiner(s): NANO, SARGON N
• Application Number:
  US13/486,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20120311042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 709/204, 709/220, 709223-229
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416

Abstract

A distribution method is performed in a distribution system including a distribution source device for distributing data and a plurality of distribution destination devices. The distribution method includes searching, by the distribution source device, for the distribution destination devices by expanding a search range by plural stages; executing in each stage, by the distribution source device, an allowance process of allowing distribution of the data to the distribution destination devices found by searching in each stage; detecting in a predetermined range, by the distribution destination device, another distribution destination device that has acquired the data before the distribution destination device performing the detecting; and executing, by the distribution destination device, an acquiring process of acquiring the data from the other distribution destination device, according to allowance of distribution.

Claims

1. A distribution method performed in a distribution system that includes a distribution source device to distribute data and a plurality of distribution destination devices, the distribution method comprising:

searching, by the distribution source device, the plurality of distribution destination devices by expanding a search range to a plurality of stages;

executing in each stage, by the distribution source device, an allowance process of allowing distribution of the data to the plurality of distribution destination devices found by searching in each stage;

detecting in a predetermined range of a number of stages, by one of the plurality of distribution destination devices, another one of the plurality of distribution destination devices that acquires the data before the one distribution destination device acquires the data; and

executing, by the one distribution destination device, an acquiring process of acquiring the data from the another distribution destination device according to allowance of distribution.

2. The distribution method according to claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting, by the another distribution destination device, the data by broadcasting by a limited number of hops,

wherein the executing of the acquiring process includes acquiring the data that is transmitted by the broadcasting.

3. The distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the detecting includes detecting, within the predetermined range, the another distribution destination device that acquires the data in a stage before a stage in which the one distribution destination device is found by the searching.

4. The distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the detecting includes detecting the another distribution destination device based on receiving a message that is broadcast by a limited number of hops within the predetermined range, the message being transmitted by the another distribution destination device in response to acquiring the data.

5. A distribution system comprising:

a distribution source device configured to distribute data; and

a plurality of distribution destination devices,

wherein the distribution source device includes

a searching unit configured to search the plurality of distribution destination devices by expanding a search range to a plurality of stages,

an allowing unit configured to allow, in each of the plurality of stages, distribution of the data to the plurality of distribution destination devices found by the searching unit in each of the plurality of stages, and

wherein one of the plurality of distribution destination devices includes

a detecting unit configured to detect, in a predetermined range of a number of stages, another of the plurality of distribution destination devices that acquires the data before the one distribution destination device acquires the data, and

an acquiring unit configured to acquire the data from the another distribution destination device according to allowance of distribution.

6. The distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the another distribution destination device transmits the data by broadcasting by a limited number of hops, and wherein the acquiring unit acquires the data that is transmitted by the broadcasting.

7. The distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the detecting unit detects, within the predetermined range, the another distribution destination device that acquires the data in a stage before a stage in which the one distribution destination device is found by the searching unit.

8. The distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the detecting unit detects the another distribution destination device based on receiving a message that is broadcast by a limited number of hops within the predetermined range, the message being transmitted by the another distribution destination device in response to acquiring the data.