Image forming apparatus and data transfer method

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an image forming unit including a scanner configured to scan a document to generate image data and a printer configured to print image data generated by the scanner or another image data on a recording medium;
• a server;
• and
• a local network circuit configured to connect the image forming unit and the server,
• the image forming unit and the server each including:
• a transceiver configured to transmit and receive data through the local network circuit;
• and
• a hardware processor, wherein
• the hardware processor of one of the image forming unit and the server selects one of a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol in accordance with data transmitted by the transceiver of the one of the image forming unit and the server when data is transmitted by the transceiver of the one to the transceiver of the other,
• the first communication protocol includes a provision for ensuring reliability of communication, and
• the second communication protocol does not include a provision for ensuring reliability of communication.