Load distribution apparatus, load distribution method and program

A load distribution method in a load distribution apparatus connected, via a network, to a plurality of relay apparatuses that relay communication performed by a terminal, and to the terminal, the load distribution method comprising:

• storing, in storage circuitry, relay apparatus identifiers that identify each of the plurality of relay apparatuses, installation site information that indicates installation sites of each of the plurality of relay apparatuses, load information that indicates loads of each of the plurality of relay apparatuses, and session information that uniquely identifies communication performed between the terminal and another terminal;
• collecting the load information from each of the plurality of relay apparatuses to store the load information in the storage circuitry;
• when receiving a request from the terminal, selecting a relay apparatus for relaying communication performed by the terminal from among the plurality of relay apparatuses based on the installation site information or the load information;
• transmitting, to the terminal that transmits the request, a relay apparatus identifier of the relay apparatus selected by selecting the relay apparatus;
• transmitting a synchronization request to a plurality of other load distribution apparatuses, the synchronization request including at least the relay apparatus identifier and a session identifier registered for the relay apparatus;
• and
• receiving synchronization complete responses from the other load distribution apparatuses in response to the synchronization request.

A non-transitory storage medium storing a program in a load distribution apparatus connected, via a network, to a plurality of relay apparatuses that relay communication performed by a terminal, and to the terminal, the program causing the load distribution apparatus to execute:

• storing, in storage circuitry, relay apparatus identifiers that identify each of the plurality of relay apparatuses, installation site information that indicates installation sites of each of the plurality of relay apparatuses, load information that indicates loads of each of the plurality of relay apparatuses, and session information that uniquely identifies communication performed between the terminal and another terminal;
• collecting the load information from each of the plurality of relay apparatuses to store the load information in the storage circuitry;
• when receiving a request from the terminal, selecting a relay apparatus for relaying communication performed by the terminal from among the plurality of relay apparatuses based on the installation site information or the load information;
• transmitting, to the terminal that transmits the request, a relay apparatus identifier of the relay apparatus selected by selecting the relay apparatus;
• transmitting a synchronization request to a plurality of other load distribution apparatuses the synchronization request including at least the relay apparatus identifier and a session identifier registered for the relay apparatus;
• and
• receiving synchronization complete responses from the other load distribution apparatuses in response to the synchronization request.