Communication apparatus and method of hand over of an assigned group address from one communication apparatus to another

1. Field of the Invention Unique addresses are provided to identify and communicate with each of a plurality of servers and a client connected on a network. A group address which differs from the unique address is assigned to any of the plurality of servers. The client specifies that group address when receiving service from the server. The traffic status of the communication path between server and client is monitored and if factors such as communication speed and response time have exceeded a preset threshold, the group address is dynamically passed to another server.Thereby a communications system is able to dynamically switch servers, the source for generating traffic, on the network without rerouting of paths on which traffic is concentrated and requiring no change settings or addition of control functions by the client and further able to effectively use portions of the network having low usage rates.