Distribution control apparatus, distribution control method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium

A distribution control method that controls distribution of firmware to be mounted on an image forming apparatus in a network, comprising:

• causing a first storage unit connected to the network to store different versions of firmware;
• controlling, based on information of the different versions of firmware, publication and suspension of publication of the different versions of firmware;
• causing distribution of a publicized version of firmware from the first storage unit in accordance with a request;
• deleting, from the first storage unit, a version of firmware whose publication is suspended;
• causing distribution, from a second storage unit different from the first storage unit, of the version of firmware whose publication is suspended when the request is for the version of firmware whose publication is suspended and the request is from the image forming apparatus;
• and
• disabling distribution of the version of firmware whose publication is suspended when the request is for the version of firmware whose publication is suspended and the request is from a monitoring center host.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a distribution control method that controls distribution of firmware to be mounted on an image forming apparatus in a network, the method comprising:

• causing a first storage unit connected to the network to store different versions of firmware;
• controlling, based on information of the different versions of firmware, publication and suspension of publication of the different versions of firmware;
• causing distribution of a publicized version of firmware from the first storage unit in accordance with a request;
• deleting, from the first storage unit, a version of firmware whose publication is suspended;
• causing distribution, from a second storage unit different from the first storage unit, of the version of firmware whose publication is suspended when the request is for the version of firmware whose publication is suspended and the request is from the image forming apparatus;
• and
• disabling distribution of the version of firmware whose publication is suspended when the request is for the version of firmware whose publication is suspended and the request is from a monitoring center host.

A system including an image forming apparatus and a distribution control apparatus that controls distribution of firmware to be mounted on the image forming apparatus in a network,

• wherein the image forming apparatus comprises:
• a non-transitory memory device;
• a processor;
• and
• a request unit configured to send a request,
• wherein the distribution control apparatus comprises:
• a non-transitory memory device;
• a processor;
• a storage control unit configured to cause a first storage unit connected to the network to store different versions of firmware;
• a control unit configured to control, based on information of the different versions of firmware, publication and suspension of publication of the different versions of firmware;
• and
• a distribution unit configured to cause distribution of a publicized version of firmware from the first storage unit in accordance with a request, wherein
• the control unit causes deletion, from the first storage unit, of a version of firmware whose publication is suspended, and
• the distribution unit causes distribution, from a second storage unit different from the first storage unit, of the version of firmware whose publication is suspended when the request is for the version of firmware whose publication is suspended,
• wherein the request unit of the image forming apparatus is implemented at least in part by the processor of the image forming apparatus executing at least one program recorded on the non-transitory memory device of the image forming apparatus,
• wherein the storage control unit, the control unit, and the distribution unit of the distribution control apparatus are implemented at least in part by the processor of the distribution control apparatus executing at least one program recorded on the non-transitory memory device of the distribution control apparatus, and
• wherein the distribution unit causes distribution of the version of firmware whose publication is suspended when the request is from the image forming apparatus, and the distribution unit causes disabling of distribution of the version of firmware whose publication is suspended when the request is from a monitoring center host.