Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a main body;
• and
• a replaceable component mounted to the main body, the replaceable component being configured to be compatible with a plurality of image forming apparatuses,
• wherein the main body comprises:
• a first authentication information storage unit that stores a plurality of first authentication information for authentication with the replaceable component;
• an authentication data storage unit that stores authentication data for choosing at least one of the plurality of first authentication information;
• a first communication unit for communication with the replaceable component;
• and
• a control unit that controls the first communication unit,
• wherein the replaceable component comprises:
• a second authentication information storage unit that stores a plurality of second authentication information corresponding to the first authentication information;
• and
• a second communication unit for communication with the first communication unit;
• wherein the authentication data is set to be different among the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
• wherein the control unit attempts authentication with the replaceable component using the first authentication information chosen based on the authentication data by checking whether the second authentication information corresponding to the chosen first authentication information is stored in the second authentication information storage unit;
• and
• wherein when the second authentication information corresponding to the chosen first authentication information is stored in the second authentication information storage unit, the control unit establishes connection between the first communication unit and the second communication unit.