IP COMMUNICATION METHOD AND IP COMMUNICATION APPARATUS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an IP communication method capable of reducing a decrease of communication speed, even at the occurrence of communication concentration. SOLUTION: This IP communication apparatus is provided with a plurality of communication ports, to which one IP address is assigned in common. Upon the receipt of a connection request addressed to the IP address, the communication apparatus checks the communication load of the communication ports and discriminates a communication port whose communication load is the smallest. The communication apparatus transmits a response message, including the physical address of the discriminated communication port whose communication load is the smallest, to an opposite party which has made the connection request. Furthermore, in the case of transmission, the communication apparatus checks the communication load of the communication ports, discriminates a communication port whose communication load is the smallest among the communication ports and transmits a connection request, including the physical address of the discriminated port whose communication load is the smallest, to the opposite party. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT