Replica deployment method and relay apparatus

Abstract

A first information processing apparatus transmits a message storing a replica of data stored in the first information processing apparatus. The message has an unspecified destination. A first relay apparatus detects a second information processing apparatus provided in a network to which the first relay apparatus belongs. The first relay apparatus selects, as a transfer destination of the message, the second information processing apparatus or a second relay apparatus upon receiving the message. The first relay apparatus transfers the message to the selected transfer destination. The second information processing apparatus stores the replica therein upon receiving the message.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A replica deployment method comprising:
 transmitting, by a first information processing apparatus, a message storing a replica of data stored in the first information processing apparatus, the message having an unspecified destination; 
 receiving, by a first relay apparatus, the message; 
 creating, by the first relay apparatus, a set of prospective further relay apparatuses; 
 when the set of prospective further relay apparatuses is empty, selecting, by the first relay apparatus, a second information processing apparatus in a same network as the first relay apparatus as a transfer destination of the message and transmitting the message to the second information processing apparatus; 
 when the set of prospective further relay apparatuses is not empty, selecting, by the first relay apparatus, a further relay apparatus from among the set of prospective further relay apparatuses, transmitting the message to the selected further relay apparatus, deleting the selected further relay apparatus from the set of prospective further relay apparatuses, and determining whether the message has been successfully transferred to the selected further relay apparatus; 
 when it is determined that the message has been successfully transferred to the selected further relay apparatus, terminating transfer control of the message; 
 when it is determined that the message has not been successfully transferred to the selected further relay apparatus, repeating the selecting, transmitting, deleting, and determining by the further relay apparatuses until either it is determined that the message has been successfully transferred to the selected further relay apparatus or the set of prospective further relay apparatuses is empty; and 
 storing, by the second information processing apparatus, the replica therein upon receiving the message. 
 
     
     
       2. The replica deployment method according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the message stores therein criteria for evaluating an information processing apparatus to store the replica, and 
 the first relay apparatus refers to the criteria stored in the message to select the transfer destination of the message. 
 
     
     
       3. A relay apparatus comprising:
 a memory device configured to store therein information on one or more other relay apparatuses; and 
 a processor configured to: 
 receive a message, the message having been transmitted to the relay apparatus by a first information processing apparatus and storing a replica of data stored in the first information processing apparatus, the message having an unspecified destination, 
 create a set of prospective further relay apparatuses from among the one or more other relay apparatuses, 
 when the set of prospective further relay apparatuses is empty, select, a second information processing apparatus in a same network as the first relay apparatus as a transfer destination of the message and transmit the message to the second information processing apparatus, and 
 when the set of prospective further relay apparatuses is not empty, select a further relay apparatus from among the set of prospective further relay apparatuses, transmit the message to the selected further relay apparatus, delete the selected further relay apparatus from the set of prospective further relay apparatuses, and determine whether the message has been successfully transferred to the selected further relay apparatus.