Intermediate device which can be introduced and removed in seamless way

A service providing method of providing an intermediate service additional to an information processing service with an intermediate device which is provided between a first information processing device for providing said information processing service through a network and a second information processing device for receiving said information processing service, comprising:

• the first step of controlling said intermediate device provided between said first information processing device and said second information processing device to acquire state information required to maintain the state of a session established between said first information processing device and said second information processing device for said information processing service, from said first information processing device or said second information processing device;
• the second step of controlling said intermediate device to generate, based on said state information, transfer rules for applying said intermediate service to data of said information processing service which is sent and received between said first information processing device and said second information processing device, and transferring the data to which said intermediate service is applied;
• and
• the third step of controlling said intermediate device to maintain the state of said existing session established between said first information processing device and said second information processing device, between said intermediate device and said second information processing device, establish a new session between said intermediate device and said first information processing device, and transfer said data using said existing session and said new session, according to said transfer rules.

A service providing program for providing an intermediate service additional to an information processing service by being executed by a computer which is provided between a first information processing device for providing said information processing service through a network and a second information processing device for receiving said information processing service, said program enabling said computer to perform:

• a first process of controlling state information acquiring means to acquire state information required to maintain the state of a session established between said first information processing device and said second information processing device for said information processing service, from said first information processing device or said second information processing device;
• a second process of controlling intermediate service managing means to generate, based on said state information, transfer rules for applying said intermediate service to data of said information processing service which is sent and received between said first information processing device and said second information processing device, and transfer the data to which said intermediate service is applied;
• and
• a third process of controlling transfer control means to maintain the state of said existing session established between said first information processing device and said second information processing device, between itself and said second information processing device, establish a new session between itself and said first information processing device, and transfer said data using said existing session and said new session, according to said transfer rules.

A service providing program for being executed by a computer to provide an intermediate service additional to an information processing service between a first information processing device for providing said information processing service through a network and a second information processing device for receiving said information processing service, said program enabling said computer to perform:

• a first process of acquiring state information required to maintain the state of a session established between said first information processing device and said second information processing device for said information processing service, from said first information processing device or said second information processing device;
• a second process of generating, based on said state information, transfer rules for applying said intermediate service to data of said information processing service which is sent and received between said first information processing device and said second information processing device, and transferring the data to which said intermediate service is applied;
• and
• a third process of maintaining the state of said existing session established between said first information processing device and said second information processing device, between itself and said second information processing device, establishing a new session between itself and said first information processing device, and transferring said data using said existing session and said new session, according to said transfer rules.