Connection switching server and connection switching method

Abstract

To enable the switching of services depending on activation.SOLUTION: A connection switching server 100 comprises: a service request reception unit 112 for accepting a service request including activation identification information indicating a service use right; a connection destination determination unit 113 for referring to an activation information database in which the activation identification information and connection information for a service that handles the service request are stored in association with each other and acquiring the connection information for the service request; and a connection destination switching unit 114 for transmitting the service request to the server providing the service corresponding to the connection information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection switching server and a connection switching method for switching a connection to a service corresponding to a service request from a terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] In providing services via the Internet, it is common that an organization (such as a company or department, hereinafter referred to as a tenant) that uses the service enters into a contract with a service provider, and multiple users belonging to the tenant use the service. In order to prevent the number of users using the service from exceeding the number of users contracted, it is common for users to activate the service (see Patent Document 1) before starting to use it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-175228 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In providing services via the Internet, there are many cases where multiple users share and use the same server or system. It is desirable for users belonging to the same tenant to be able to use the same service. It is also desirable for users belonging to different tenants to be able to use services corresponding to each tenant even when accessing the same server or system. However, the information processing device described in Patent Document 1 does not mention switching of services according to tenants. The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connection switching server and a connection switching method that switch the service to be used in response to activation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the connection destination switching server of the present invention comprises a service request receiving unit that receives a service request including activation identification information indicating the right to use a service, a connection destination determination unit that obtains connection information for the service request by referring to an activation information database in which the activation identification information and connection information to a service that processes the service request are associated and stored, and a connection destination switching unit that transmits the service request to a server that provides a service corresponding to the connection information. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connection switching server and a connection switching method for switching a service to be used in response to activation. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a service providing system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a terminal according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a functional block diagram of a connection switching server according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a data configuration diagram of a tenant information database according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a data configuration diagram of an activation information database according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of an activation process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of business processing according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a connection switching server according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of business processing according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a connection switching server, a database management server, a terminal, and the like according to the first and second embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] A service providing system in a form (embodiment) for carrying out the present invention will be described below. The service providing system includes a database management server that provides database management services, and a connection switching server that accepts service requests from terminals. The service that the service providing system provides to terminals is a database search service. The database management server has one or more databases, and provides a service that uses a different database for each tenant (organization) that is the owner of the terminal.

[0009] Prior to using a service, the terminal and the connection switching server perform an activation process and share activation identification information. The terminal sends a service request including the activation identification information to the connection switching server. The connection switching server switches the database to which the terminal is connected according to the activation identification information.

[0010] By using such a service providing system, a terminal user can use services corresponding to the tenant after an activation process that confirms that the user or the terminal belongs to the tenant.

[0011] First embodiment: Configuration of service providing system 1 is a configuration diagram of a service providing system 10 according to the first embodiment. The service providing system 10 includes a connection switching server 100 and a database management server 300. The database management server 300 has a plurality of databases 310, and provides services that utilize each of the databases 310.

[0012] The terminal 400 uses the database 310 via the connection switching server 100. The terminal 400 belongs to a company or a tenant which is a department of the company. The tenant uses the database 310 by making a contract with a business entity which has a service providing system 10 and provides a database management service. The terminal 400 owned by the tenant (belonging to the tenant) uses the database 310 with which the tenant has a contract.

[0013] First embodiment: Terminal configuration 2 is a functional block diagram of the terminal 400 according to the first embodiment. The terminal 400 is a computer, and includes a control unit 410, a storage unit 420, and an input / output unit 480. User interface devices such as a display, keyboard, and mouse are connected to the input / output unit 480. The input / output unit 480 includes a communication device, and is capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the connection switching server 100 via a network.

[0014] <Terminal: Memory> The storage unit 420 includes storage devices such as a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The storage unit 420 stores activation identification information 421 and a program 428. The activation identification information 421 is identification information generated in an activation process (see FIG. 6 described later) and is referenced to identify the database 310 used by the terminal 400. The activation identification information 421 differs for each terminal 400. The activation identification information is information indicating that the terminal 400 has the right to use a search service using the database 310, which is provided by the service providing system 10 based on a contract concluded with a tenant. The program 428 includes a description of the processing in the terminal 400 in the activation processing (see FIG. 6 described later) and the business processing (see FIG. 7 described later).

[0015] <<Terminal: Control Unit>> The control unit 410 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and is provided with an activation processing unit 411 and a service request unit 412 . The activation processing unit 411 executes the processing for the terminal 400 in the activation processing (see FIG. 6 described later). The service request unit 412 executes processing of the terminal 400 in business processing (see FIG. 7 described later).

[0016] First embodiment: Configuration of connection switching server 3 is a functional block diagram of the connection switching server 100 according to the first embodiment. The connection switching server 100 is a computer, and includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a communication unit 180. The communication unit 180 includes a communication device, and is capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from a terminal 400 and a database management server 300 via a network.

[0017] <Connection switching server: memory section> The storage unit 120 includes storage devices such as a ROM, a RAM, and an SSD. The storage unit 120 stores a tenant information database 130, an activation information database 140, and a program 128. The program 128 includes a description of the processing in the connection switching server 100 in the activation processing (see FIG. 6 described later) and the business processing (see FIG. 7 described later).

[0018] <Memory section: Tenant information database> 4 is a data configuration diagram of the tenant information database 130 according to the first embodiment. The tenant information database 130 is, for example, data in a table format, and one row (record) indicates a tenant. The record of the tenant information database 130 includes columns (attributes) of tenant identification information, connection information, the number of terminals, and the number of contracts.

[0019] The tenant identification information is identification information of a tenant. The connection information is information for connecting to the database 310 used by the terminal 400 belonging to the tenant. The connection information includes the address of the database management server 300, identification information of the database 310, authentication information for accessing the database 310, and the like. The identification information may be a schema or a table name in addition to the database name. In other words, the connection information is information for using a search service that uses the database 310, and is information for connecting to the database 310.

[0020] The number of terminals is the number of terminals 400 belonging to the tenant that have completed the activation process described below. The number of contracts is the upper limit of the number of terminals 400 that a tenant has contracted for. The database 310 can be used by up to the contracted number of terminals 400.

[0021] As described above, the service is a search service for a database, and the connection information includes the address of the database management server 300 that has the database 310 and the identification information of the database 310 .

[0022] <Memory section: Activation information database> 5 is a data configuration diagram of the activation information database 140 according to the first embodiment. The activation information database 140 is, for example, data in a table format, and one row (record) corresponds to a terminal 400. A record of the activation information database 140 includes columns (attributes) of activation identification information and connection information.

[0023] The activation identification information is the activation identification information of the terminal 400 . The connection information is connection information corresponding to the tenant to which the terminal 400 belongs, and corresponds to the connection information in the tenant information database 130 (see FIG. 4).

[0024] <Connection switching server: control section> 3, the control unit 110 will be described. The control unit 110 includes a CPU, and is provided with an activation reception unit 111, a service request reception unit 112, a connection destination determination unit 113, and a connection destination switching unit 114.

[0025] <Control section: Activation reception section> The activation reception unit 111 executes the processing of the connection switching server 100 in the activation processing (see FIG. 6 described later). More specifically, the activation reception unit 111 confirms that the number of terminals 400 that have requested activation does not exceed the number of contracts (see FIG. 4) in response to an activation request transmitted by the terminal 400. Next, the activation reception unit 111 registers the activation identification information included in the activation request and the connection information corresponding to the tenant identification information in the activation information database 140 (see FIG. 5). Note that the connection information corresponding to the tenant identification information can be acquired by referring to the tenant information database 130 (see FIG. 4).

[0026] <Control unit: Service request reception unit> The service request receiving unit 112 receives a service request, which is a request for access to the database 310 from the terminal 400. The service request includes activation identification information of the terminal 400.

[0027] <Control unit: Connection destination determination unit> The connection destination determination unit 113 acquires connection information for the database 310 corresponding to the service request. To explain in detail, the connection destination determination unit 113 acquires connection information corresponding to the database 310 by referring to the activation information database 140 (see FIG. 5) based on the activation identification information included in the service request.

[0028] <Control unit: Connection switching unit> The connection destination switching unit 114 transfers the service request to the database management server 300 and receives the search results of the database 310. Next, the connection destination switching unit 114 transfers the search results to the terminal 400.

[0029] As described above, the connection switching server 100 includes the service request receiving unit 112 that receives a service request including activation identification information that indicates the right to use the service. The connection switching server 100 also includes a connection destination determination unit 113 that acquires connection information for a service request by referring to an activation information database 140 (see FIG. 5) in which activation identification information and connection information to a service that processes a service request are associated and stored. Furthermore, the connection switching server 100 includes a connection destination switching unit 114 that transmits a service request to a server that provides a service corresponding to the connection information.

[0030] The connection switching server 100 includes an activation reception unit 111 that receives an activation request including activation identification information sent by the terminal 400 that is the sender of the service request before sending the initial service request and tenant identification information indicating the tenant to which the terminal 400 belongs, and that associates the activation identification information and the connection information and registers them in the activation information database 140 by referring to a tenant information database 130 (see FIG. 4 ) in which the tenant identification information and the connection information are associated and stored.

[0031] First embodiment: database management server The database management server 300 executes a search process corresponding to a query (search request), which is a service request sent by the connection switching server 100, and returns the search results. To explain in more detail, the connection switching server 100 transmits a service request including the query and identification information of the database 310 to the address of the database management server 300 included in the connection information. The database management server 300 executes a query to the database 310 identified by the identification information, and returns the search results.

[0032] First embodiment: Activation process Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram of the activation process according to the first embodiment. At the start of the activation process, it is assumed that a contract between the tenant who owns the terminal 400 and the business providing the database management service has been concluded, and the tenant's record has been registered in the tenant information database 130 (see Fig. 4). It is also assumed that tenant identification information has been distributed to the user of the terminal 400. Furthermore, the services of the database 310 corresponding to the tenant are also available. It is also assumed that a secure communication path has been established between the terminal 400 and the connection switching server 100, and there is no eavesdropping or falsification of communication data.

[0033] In step S11, the activation processing unit 411 of the terminal 400 acquires the tenant identification information input by the user of the terminal 400. In step S12, activation processing unit 411 generates activation identification information, which is a random number, and stores it in activation identification information 421 (see FIG. 2). In step S13, the activation processing unit 411 transmits an activation request including the tenant identification information and the activation identification information to the connection switching server 100.

[0034] In step S14, the activation reception unit 111 of the connection switching server 100 determines whether the number of terminals 400 that have transmitted an activation request is equal to or less than the number of contracts (see FIG. 4). The number of terminals 400 that have transmitted activation requests in the past is shown in the number of terminals (see FIG. 4). If the number of terminals plus 1 is equal to or less than the number of contracts (step S14→YES), the activation reception unit 111 proceeds to step S15, and if it exceeds the number of contracts (step S14→NO), the activation reception unit 111 proceeds to step S17.

[0035] In step S15, the activation reception unit 111 associates the activation identification information with the connection information corresponding to the tenant identification information and registers them in the activation information database 140 (see FIG. 5). More specifically, the activation reception unit 111 refers to the tenant information database 130 (see FIG. 4) to acquire the connection information corresponding to the tenant identification information. Next, the activation reception unit 111 associates the activation identification information with the acquired connection information and registers them in the activation information database 140. Furthermore, the activation reception unit 111 increments the number of terminals in the tenant information database 130 by one.

[0036] In step S16, the activation acceptance unit 111 notifies the terminal 400 that the activation request has been completed normally. In step S17, the activation acceptance unit 111 notifies the terminal 400 that an error has occurred in the activation request.

[0037] <Business Processing> 7 is a sequence diagram of business processing according to the first embodiment. It is assumed that the activation process (see FIG. 6) of the terminal 400 is completed at the start of business processing. It is also assumed that a secure communication path has been established between the terminal 400 and the connection switching server 100, and that communication data is not intercepted or forged.

[0038] In step S21, the service request unit 412 of the terminal 400 accepts a query (search request) to the database 310 from the user. In step S22, the service request unit 412 transmits a service request including the activation identification information and a query to the connection switching server 100. The service request receiving unit 112 of the connection switching server 100 receives the service request.

[0039] In step S23, the connection destination determination unit 113 of the connection switching server 100 acquires connection information by referring to the activation information database 140 (see FIG. 5) based on the activation identification information included in the service request. If the activation identification information is not registered in the activation information database 140, the connection destination determination unit 113 notifies the terminal 400 of an error and terminates the business process.

[0040] In step S24, the connection switching unit 114 of the connection switching server 100 refers to the connection information and transmits the query and identification information of the database 310 contained in the connection information to the database management server 300. If the connection information includes authentication information, the connection switching unit 114 also transmits the authentication information. In step S25, the database management server 300 processes the query using the database 310 and obtains search results.

[0041] In step S 26 , the database management server 300 transmits the search results to the connection switching server 100 . In step S 27 , the connection destination switching unit 114 of the connection switching server 100 transmits the search result to the terminal 400 . In step S28, the service request unit 412 of the terminal 400 displays the search results on a display connected to the input / output unit 480.

[0042] <First embodiment: Features of the connection switching server> The connection switching server 100 accepts an activation request from the terminal 400, and registers the activation identification information in the activation information database 140. Note that there is an upper limit to the number of terminals 400 that can be registered (see the number of contracts in the tenant information database 130 shown in FIG. 4).

[0043] The connection switching server 100 accepts a service request (query) from the terminal 400, transfers the query to the database management server 300 based on the connection information corresponding to the tenant to which the terminal 400 belongs, obtains a search result, and returns it to the terminal 400. The search result is the result of a search process using the database 310 identified by the identification information included in the connection information.

[0044] By using such a connection switching server 100, a user of a terminal 400 can use a search service using a database 310 corresponding to the tenant after an activation process that confirms that the user or the terminal 400 belongs to the tenant. The communication destination of terminals 400 of different tenants is the same connection switching server 100, but the database 310 used is different for each tenant. Furthermore, the business entity providing the service providing system 10 does not need to prepare a server (such as the connection switching server 100 or the database management server 300) for each tenant, and can provide services at low cost.

[0045] <<Modification: Activation Information Database>> In the above embodiment, the activation information database 140 (see FIG. 5) is data in which the activation identification information and the connection information are associated with each other, but is not limited thereto. The activation information database may be data in which the activation identification information and the tenant identification information are associated with each other. In this case, the connection destination determination unit 113 refers to the activation information database to obtain the tenant identification information corresponding to the activation identification information, and further refers to the tenant information database 130 (see FIG. 4) to obtain the connection information corresponding to the tenant identification information. The activation reception unit 111 associates the activation identification information and the tenant identification information and registers them in the activation information database (see step S15 in FIG. 6).

[0046] <<Variation: Activation Processing>> In the above embodiment, the activation identification information is generated by the terminal 400 and sent together with the tenant identification information to the connection switching server 100. Instead of the terminal 400 generating the activation identification information, the activation reception unit 111 may receive the tenant identification information, generate the activation identification information, and send it to the terminal 400.

[0047] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the search results in the database 310 are themselves transmitted to the terminal 400 (see steps S25 to S27 in FIG. 7). The connection switching server may process the search results and transmit them to the terminal 400.

[0048] 8 is a functional block diagram of a connection switching server 100A according to the second embodiment. Compared to the connection switching server 100 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 3), the control unit 110 includes a service processing unit 115. The service processing unit 115 processes the search results and transmits the processing results to the terminal 400. For example, a query (see step S44 in FIG. 9 described later) may include multiple queries, and the service processing unit 115 may perform a process of merging multiple search results (see step S46) and transmit the merged results to the terminal 400 as the processing results (see step S48).

[0049] 9 is a sequence diagram of business processing according to the second embodiment. It is assumed that a secure communication path has already been established between the terminal 400 and the connection switching server 100A, and that communication data is not intercepted or forged. Steps S41 to S46 are similar to steps S21 to S26.

[0050] In step S47, the service processing unit 115 processes the search results received from the database management server 300 (eg, merges a plurality of search results). In step S48, service processing unit 115 transmits the result of the processing in step S47 to terminal 400. In step S 49 , the service request unit 412 displays the processing result on a display connected to the input / output unit 480 .

[0051] <<Second embodiment: Features of the connection switching server>> The connection switching server 100A executes processing on the search results and transmits them to the terminal 400. In this manner, the connection switching server 100A is able to provide additional services in addition to simple database search processing.

[0052] <<Variation: Service>> In the above embodiment, the service providing system 10 provides a database service (search service), but is not limited to this. The database management server 300 may be a server that provides services such as Web conferences, schedule management, CRM (Customer Relationship Management), and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning).

[0053] Other variations Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely illustrative and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. For example, as a modified example of the first embodiment, a form in which the activation information database 140 (see FIG. 5) stores activation identification information and tenant identification information in association with each other has been described. Alternatively, the tenant information database 130 (see FIG. 4) may be configured to include a table in which the tenant identification information and connection information are associated with each other, and a table in which the tenant identification information, the number of terminals, and the number of contracts are associated with each other. In this way, the tenant information database 130 and the activation information database 140 can have various data configurations.

[0054] The present invention can take various other embodiments, and furthermore, various modifications such as omissions and substitutions can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention described in this specification, etc., and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0055] <Hardware Configuration> 10 is a hardware configuration diagram of the connection switching servers 100, 100A, the database management server, the terminal 400, etc. according to the first and second embodiments. The connection switching server 100, the database management server, and the terminal 400 are configured as a computer 900 having a CPU 901, a RAM 902, a ROM 903, an SSD 904, a communication I / F 905, an input / output I / F 906, and a media I / F 907. Note that I / F stands for interface.

[0056] The communication I / F 905 is connected to an external communication device 915. The input / output I / F 906 is connected to an input / output device 916. The media I / F 907 reads and writes data from a recording medium 917. Furthermore, the CPU 901 executes a program (also called an application or its abbreviation, an app) loaded into the RAM 902, thereby improving and controlling each processing unit. This program can also be distributed via a communication line, or recorded on a recording medium 917 such as a CD-ROM and distributed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10 Service provision system 100 Connection switching server 111 Activation Reception Department 112 Service Request Reception Department 113 Connection Destination Determination Unit 114 Connection Switching Unit 115 Service Processing Department 128 Programs 130 Tenant Information Database 140 Activation Information Database 300 Database Management Server 400 terminals 411 Activation Processing Unit 412 Service Request Section 421 Activation Identifier

Claims

1. a service request receiving unit that receives a service request including activation identification information indicating a right to use the service; a connection destination determination unit that acquires connection information for the service request by referring to an activation information database in which the activation identification information and connection information for a service that processes the service request are stored in association with each other; a connection destination switching unit that transmits the service request to a server that provides a service corresponding to the connection information. Connection switching server.

2. receiving an activation request including the activation identification information and tenant identification information indicating a tenant to which the terminal belongs, the activation request being transmitted by a terminal that is a source of the service request before transmitting an initial service request; The activation information receiving unit further includes an activation information database that refers to a tenant information database in which the tenant identification information and the connection information are stored in association with each other, and that associates the activation identification information and the connection information and registers them in the activation information database.

2. The connection switching server according to claim 1.

3. the service is a search service for a database, The connection information includes the address of a database management server that has the database, and identification information of the database.

2. The connection switching server according to claim 1.

4. The connection switching server receiving a service request including an activation identification indicating a right to use the service; acquiring connection information for the service request by referring to an activation information database in which the activation identification information and connection information for a service that processes the service request are stored in association with each other; sending the service request to a server that provides a service corresponding to the connection information; How to switch connections.

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