JP2005184532A - Packet sorter, game management center system utilizing the same and packet sorting program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of configuring a game management center to flexibly deal with a configuration change such as an additional change without affecting the side of game machines if a plurality of game management server are provided in the game management center for managing a plurality of network connection games. <P>SOLUTION: The packet sorter which utilizes game ID information for identifying a game class in a communication packet to translate a destination address of the communication packet (and a destination port number if needed) into an address of a corresponding game management server, is introduced into the game management center. There are disclosed the packet sorter, the program for realizing said function and the method of configuring the game management center using the packet sorter, thereby flexibly dealing with the addition of a game management server or an address change without affecting game machines or the like outside the game management center. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention generally relates to packet distribution devices. In particular, when there are a plurality of network-connected games and there are a plurality of game management server devices in the game management center, a packet distribution device to be used, a program for realizing the function of the packet distribution device, and the device are used. It is related with the game management center system comprised.

  In recent years, with the development of communication means such as the Internet, network connection games in which a game machine played by a user and a game management server device are connected via a communication line have become popular. In this network connection game, what is called an “online game” that is always connected to a communication line and exchanges game information in real time during the game, and the game software is held by the game machine itself in the ROM, etc. There are network connection games and the like that add new value, such as providing various ranking information related to the game, which is first possible by centrally managing the results and the like on the game management server via the network, and so on.

  When there are a plurality of such network-connected games, when these are managed by the same game management center, it is considered that the following form changes occur according to the development stage.

  First, consider the initial and small stages where there are few game consoles connected to the network and there are not many game systems. At such a stage, the game management application software (program) for managing each game system does not need to be on a separate game management server device, but on one game management server device (preliminary measures such as troubleshooting). Multiple operations) In this case, since the game machine communicates with only one game management server device, there is no problem such as management of destinations.

  However, assuming a large-scale case where the number of game machines or users connected to the network increases or the number of game systems to be managed increases, it is natural that one game management server device has a processing capability. Limits arise. For this reason, the number of game management server devices is increased by adding a game management server device or installing a game management server device for each game, and the number of the game management server devices varies with the passage of time. It is expected that.

JP 2003-124980 A JP 2002-094556 A

Thus, even when the number of game management server devices fluctuates, each game machine must be able to correctly communicate with the game management server device managing the game according to the type of game being played. This causes the following system management problems.
(1) For example, considering the case of adding a game management server device as the game scale increases, some game management application software will naturally move to a new game management server device. This leads to the problem of changing the destination address of the game management server device in a large number of game machines, and the burden of maintenance work at the game center store becomes extremely large.

    (2) Conversely, in order not to give a burden to the game center store, the address of the game management server device once set must be unchangeable. This makes it impossible to freely add or change devices in the game management center corresponding to the above-described changes, and the management management flexibility of the game management center is significantly lacking.

    (3) In addition, when the game machine and the game management server device communicate via the Internet, each game management server device has a global IP (Internet Protocol) address (an address uniquely determined on the Internet, Addresses that are valid only within a particular organization must be called local addresses or private addresses). Therefore, in the current situation where global IP address depletion is pointed out, the need for efforts to acquire it is also a major disadvantage in the operation of the center.

  The packet distribution device of the present invention aims to solve these problems. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), for example, this apparatus is connected to a game management center router located at an input / output point between a game management center and a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, and a game management server apparatus. It is installed in the middle of internal lines such as LAN. By installing this device, the influence of address change or the like inside the game management center does not reach the game machine outside the game management center, so that the above-mentioned problems can be solved.

  By the way, although not aimed at solving the problems in the construction and operation of the game management center as described above, the concept of packet distribution and an apparatus therefor are known as conventional techniques. For example, there is an apparatus that distributes packets having different priorities to destination lines having different qualities according to their priorities (using information indicating the priorities in the IP packet header) (see Patent Document 1). In addition, when there are multiple client business systems that use mobile radios as a means of remote monitoring, a system is also proposed in which the client is identified based on the subaddress of the mobile radio and the packets are distributed to application software for each client. (See Patent Document 2). However, these are all different from the present invention, such as the purpose of distributing packets, the type of information used for distribution, and the layer (layer) of the communication protocol in which the information exists.

  The packet distribution device according to claim 1 of the present invention is suitable for a large-scale game management center in which one game management application software is mounted on one game management server device. This packet distribution device basically converts the destination address of the input packet and sends it to the game management server, and conversely converts the source address of the output packet from the game management server device to the address of this packet distribution device. The function to be sent out to the game machine side solves the above-mentioned problems in the construction and operation of the game management center. That is, game ID information (existing in the user data portion of the packet) corresponding to the type of game included in the input packet from the game machine is extracted, and the destination game corresponding to the game ID information is extracted from the conversion table. The management server device address is obtained, the destination address of the input packet is converted, and the packet is transmitted to an internal network such as a LAN to which the game management server device is connected. On the other hand, for the output packet from the game management server device, the transmission source address is converted into the address of this packet distribution device and sent to the game machine side.

  The packet distribution device according to claim 2 is a general game management center in which there are a plurality of game management server devices, and each game management server device has a plurality or a single game management application software. It conforms to the form. This packet distribution apparatus has versatility by adding a function of converting the port number of the header part of the Internet transmission layer (layer 4) in addition to the function of the packet distribution apparatus of claim 1 described above. ing. That is, the packet distribution device of the present invention receives an input packet having game ID information from a game machine, and converts a conversion table (game management server device address where game management information specified by the game ID information and the information exists) And the corresponding port number), the corresponding destination address and destination port number are obtained. Then, the destination address and destination port number of the input packet are converted, and the packet is sent to an internal network such as a LAN to which the game management server device is connected. On the other hand, for the output packet from the game management server device, the transmission source address is converted into the address of the packet distribution device and sent to the game machine side.

  The invention of the game management center system according to claim 3 has a plurality of network connection games for connecting a plurality of game machines installed in a store or the like to a management server through a communication line, and manages the plurality of network connection games. In a game management center where game management servers are concentrated, one or a plurality of packets input from a communication line are connected to the management server using the packet distribution device according to claim 1 or claim 2. It is transmitted to a line such as LAN.

  The invention of a program having a packet distribution function according to claim 5 is a program having a function of receiving an input packet having game ID information corresponding to a game type and converting a destination address of the input packet. A game ID information extracting step for extracting game ID information included in the input packet, and a conversion table that specifies correspondence between the game ID information and an address of a game management server that manages a game specified by the information. A step of referencing, a packet destination conversion step of converting a destination address of the input packet into a destination address of the game management server; on the other hand, for an output packet in the reverse direction toward the game machine, the source address of the output packet is set to Source address to be converted to the external line interface address of the packet distribution device Characterized in that it comprises a scan conversion step.

The configuration of the game packet distribution device of the present invention and the game management center using the same has the following effects.
(1) A game machine installed in a store or the like does not need to set a different management server device address for each game, and may set a game management center address once when the game machine is installed. For this reason, even if a new type of game is added to the game machine, there is no work such as setting a corresponding management server address, and efficient maintenance management at a game machine installation store or the like becomes possible.

(2) On the game management center side, the introduction of the packet distribution device of the present invention hides the address of each game management server device from the game machine side. Therefore, even when adding or changing the game management server device at the game management center, it is not necessary to consider the impact on the game machine outside the game management center, and it can be handled flexibly internally. Because it can, it brings great advantages to the maintenance management system of the game management center.

(3) Also, it is not always necessary to use a global IP address as the address of the game management server, and a local (private) IP address may be used. Even if the number of games to be increased, there is no need to acquire a new global IP address, and there are great advantages in operating and managing the game management center.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of the entire game system in which the packet distribution device of the present invention is used. The game machines 1a, 1b,... 3a, 3b,... In a large number of geographically dispersed game center stores 1, 2, 3,. The connection is made through the network 5.

  The game machines 1a, 1b, 1c,... Are mainly assumed to be multiplayer game machines installed in stores 1, 2, 3 such as game centers. This multiplayer game machine can select and play various games on one game machine. It is possible to download game software from a server, but here we assume a game machine that has multiple ROM cartridges containing game software and the player selects and implements a multi-game function. Yes. However, of course, a game machine that can play only a single game is a component of this game system if it can communicate with the game management center via the network.

  The game management center 10 is generally composed of a plurality of game management server devices 11, 12,..., A packet distribution device 30 of the present invention, a router device 20, and the like. The game management server device 11 is a platform for operating the game management application programs 11a, 11b,..., And actually the game management application programs 11a, 11b,. Manage and process information. For example, the data communicated between the game management application programs 11a, 11b,... And the game machine is game history information, user information, and the like. Will be able to provide.

As described above, it is considered that the development form of the game management center 10 that generally manages various types of network connection games is as follows.
(1) In the initial stage, when the type of game, the game machine, and the number of users are small, there is only one game management server device 11 (aside from spares for trouble countermeasures), and a plurality of game managements The operation mode of the game management center 10 in which the application programs 11a, 11b,... Operate will be normal, and this will be sufficient for operation (FIG. 2A).
(2) However, as the number of game types, game machines, and the number of users increase, a single game management server device 11 is limited in terms of processing capacity, storage capacity and maintenance management. Naturally, it is expected even if you look at a simple system example. In such a case, a plurality of game management server devices 11, 12,... Are inevitably necessary, and a game management center 10 in which the game management application programs 11a, 11b,. Is expected to become common (FIG. 2B).
(3) If the scale is further increased, a configuration (FIG. 2C) of the game management center 10 in which there is a game management server device 11, 12,... For each game management application program 11a, 11b,. There seems to be little sex. Therefore, in the following description, the packet distribution device 30 that conforms to the second general game management server device group will be described while keeping in mind the second general game management server device group.

  FIG. 3 shows in more detail the form (FIG. 2B) of the preferred game management center 10 in which the packet distribution device 30 of the present invention is used. As shown in the figure, there are a plurality of server devices 11, 12,... Connected by an internal communication line 25 such as a LAN, and a plurality of game management application programs G1, --Gm operate on a certain server device Sa. In another server device Sx, one game management application program Gn is running. And the position which connects the said internal communication line 25 and the router 20 (including a firewall function) which is the entrance / exit of wide area communication lines (WAN) 5, such as the internet, in order to communicate with each game machine 1a, 1b, ... 2a, 2b, ... In addition, the packet distribution device 30 of the present invention is installed. As a result, game management application programs 11a, 11b,... That manage communication packets sent from the game machines 1a, 1b,... 2a, 2b,.・ Distribute to 12a, 12b,.

  The operation principle of the packet distribution device 30 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. At the same time, see FIG. 5 showing the packet structure and FIG. 6 showing the conversion table 35. Packets that have entered the packet distribution device 30 are transmitted through dedicated software for communication processing (“protocol” for performing communication protocol processing required in each of the data link layer (layer 2), network layer (layer 3), and session management layer (layer 4). The user data portion is extracted after receiving communication processing up to layer 4 (also called “stack” and realized by standard software).

  Subsequently, the game ID information extraction unit 31 extracts game ID information (information for identifying the game written in correspondence with the current game being played on the transmitting game machine). Based on this game ID information, the conversion table 35 reads the IP address (either global or local) and the port number of the destination server device.

  Based on the read IP address and port number, the destination port number conversion unit 32 converts the destination port number of the input packet, the destination IP address conversion unit 33 converts the destination IP address, It is sent to the communication line 25. As a result, the packet reaches the game management server device having the converted destination IP address, and is further delivered to the corresponding game management application program in accordance with the destination port number in the management server device, and processing necessary for management of the game system Receive.

  Conversely, when data is sent from the game management server device side 11, 12,... To the game machines 1a, 1b,... 2a, 2b,. It is converted to the (global) IP address of the line interface outside (WAN or router side) and sent out. Without translation, the source IP address of the packet is the IP address of the game management server device side 11, 12,..., Especially when this IP address is a local (private) IP address. is there. If this IP address is a global IP address, it is not essential, but by making the same conversion, the communication partner when viewed from the game machine side always looks like a packet distribution device, so the internal system configuration of the game management center is hidden This increases convenience in design and management operations.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a simple configuration of a communication packet. The portion directly related to the packet distribution device 30 of the present invention includes a destination (transmission destination) IP address in an IP header used for network layer control and a destination (transmission destination) in a TCP header used for transmission layer control. 3) Information on the port number and game ID information in the user data section. The IP address and port number are determined by Internet standard specifications (RFC). The system builder may freely design the information bit number of the game ID information and the position in the user data.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the conversion table 35 used in the game packet distribution device 30 of the present invention. The conversion table 35 includes (1) game ID information, (2) the IP address (either global / local address) of the destination game management server device that manages the game corresponding to the game ID information, (3) On the destination game management server device, it is a table composed of a set of three information of the port numbers of the game management application programs 11a, 11b,... 12a, 12b,. With this conversion table 35, the destination address and port number of the packet can be converted as described above.

  By the way, this game ID information is specifically expressed by a numerical value of 4 bytes long, for example, as long as the game can be identified, it may be arbitrary. The system administrator allocates it in advance and is playing on each game machine. The game ID information corresponding to the game is written in the transmission packet. This conversion table 35 is located at the position of the game management application program 11a, 11b,... 12a, 12b,... When the system of the game management center 10 is started (on which game management server device 11, 12,... ), And then game management according to addition of game management server devices 11, 12,..., Change of game management application programs 11a, 11b,. As part of the center maintenance operation, the contents of the conversion table 35 are also added / changed.

FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram of the game packet distribution device 30 of the present invention. It is common to general computer devices such as CPU, memory (RAM), fixed memory such as hard disk device, line interface, internal bus, input / output device such as keyboard and display, and input / output interface circuit. However, the difference is that at least two line interfaces are provided in the same way as routers. One line interface is for connecting to the router 20 of the management center, and the other line interface is an internal line 25 such as a LAN to which the game management server devices 11, 12,. It is for connection.

The input / output device is mainly used for operation management such as updating the conversion table 35 and displaying various statistical data. However, the conversion table 35 may be stored in a fixed memory and transferred to the memory for use during operation of the apparatus, or the conversion table information may be obtained by communication from another apparatus such as a server apparatus. In the latter method of obtaining the conversion table information by communication from another device, it is possible to operate even with a simplified configuration such as omitting the above-described input device. The packet distribution function described below is implemented mainly by the packet distribution software of the present invention that operates on such hardware, and standard communication processing dedicated software that performs packet communication protocol processing.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the game packet distribution device 30 of the present invention. The functions shown in this functional block diagram are realized mainly by software (program) operating on the hardware.
The packet input / output unit has a communication protocol processing function (layer 1 to layer 4) and is processed by standard communication processing dedicated software. The game ID information extraction unit 31 extracts the game ID information in the user data portion and sends it to the conversion table reference unit 34.
Based on this, the conversion table reference unit 34 refers to the conversion table 35 to obtain a destination IP address and a port number, and sends them to the destination IP address conversion unit 33 and the destination port conversion unit 32, respectively.
The destination port conversion unit 32 converts the destination port number of the original packet into the port number sent from the conversion table reference unit 34.
Further, the destination IP address conversion unit 33 converts the destination IP address of the original packet into the destination IP address sent from the conversion table reference unit 34.
The reverse direction packets sent from the game management server devices 11, 12,... To the game machines 1a, 1b,... 2a, 2b,. In the case of a local address, it is converted into a global IP address by the transmission source IP address conversion unit and transmitted.
Further, the conversion table setting changing unit 37 is used for maintenance operation of the game management center 10 such as addition of game management server devices 11, 12,... And movement of game management application programs 11a, 11b,. This is used for rewriting the necessary conversion table 35.

  FIG. 9 shows the processing procedure of the packet distribution program of the present invention. Here, the processing procedure of the most general packet distribution program having a function of converting both the destination IP address and the destination port number of a packet will be described. As a result, the processing procedure of the packet distribution program that does not have the destination port number conversion function can be easily imagined and understood because it only has the destination port number conversion function.

  First, the reception process will be described. In the packet reception process of step S1, communication processing of packets sent from the game machines 1a, 1b,... 2a, 2b,. In this step, as described above, the communication protocol processing from the layer 1 to the layer 4 of the Internet communication protocol is performed to obtain information on the user data portion. These processes are mainly performed by Internet standard protocol processing programs. This process realizes the function of the packet input / output processing unit 38a shown in the functional block diagram of FIG.

  In the game ID information extraction in step S2, the game ID information is extracted from the user data portion and sent to the conversion table reference portion 34. This processing corresponds to realizing the function of the game ID extraction unit 31 shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. As described above, this game ID information is a number arbitrarily determined by the game system designer in order to determine the type of game, and according to its format (number of bits of information, position in the user data section, etc.) The number corresponding to the game being played at that time on the packet transmission side game machine is written in the user data section.

  In the conversion table reference in step S3, reference processing for obtaining the destination port number and the destination IP address corresponding to the game ID information is performed using the conversion table 35 as shown in FIG. This process corresponds to realizing the function of the conversion table reference unit 34 shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. The conversion table 35 may be stored in a fixed memory and transferred to the memory for use during operation of the apparatus, or communication of conversion table information from another apparatus such as the game management server apparatus 11, 12,. You may get it in The destination port number and the destination IP address obtained by this processing are sent to the destination port number conversion unit 32 and the destination IP address conversion unit 33, respectively.

  In step S4, the destination port number of the packet is converted to the new destination port number obtained from the conversion table 35 in step S3. This process corresponds to realizing the function of the destination port conversion unit 32 shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. As described above, this step is omitted in the packet distribution program that is not general-purpose.

  In step S5, the destination IP address is converted into a new destination IP address obtained from the conversion table 35 in step S3. This processing corresponds to realizing the function of the destination IP address conversion unit 33 shown in the functional block diagram of FIG.

  Finally, in the packet transmission in step S6, the packet converted in the above-described step is transmitted to the internal communication line 25 such as a LAN to which the game management server devices 11, 12,... Are connected in accordance with the Internet standard communication protocol. Perform the process. This processing corresponds to realizing the function of the packet input / output processing unit 38b shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. The packet sent to the internal communication line 25 such as LAN reaches the game management server devices 11, 12,... Having the converted destination IP address, and the game machines 1a, 1b,. .. Information of the user data part from 2a, 2b,.

  The reception process has been described above. Next, as opposed to the reception process, the transmission process in FIG. 9 is a transmission process when a communication packet is sent from the game management server device 11, 12,... To the game machines 1a, 1b, ... 2a, 2b,. It explains according to the procedure.

  In the transmission packet reception process in step S11, communication in accordance with the Internet standard when a packet is sent from the game management server device 11, 12,... To the packet distribution device 30 of the present invention via the internal line 25 such as a LAN. Perform protocol processing. This processing corresponds to realizing the function of the packet input / output processing unit 38b shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. Here, since the processing target information in the next step 12 is the transmission source IP address in the packet header of the Internet layer 3, the protocol processing up to layer 3 is performed. This is processed by a standard program as described above.

  In step S12, the source IP address that is the packet header information is converted. This process corresponds to realizing the function of the source IP address conversion unit 36 shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. Specifically, the source IP address to which the IP address of the game management server device side 11, 12,... Is assigned to the (global) IP address of the line interface outside (WAN or router side) of the packet distribution device. Convert. As described above, this conversion is indispensable when the IP address of the game management server device side 11, 12,... Is a local (private) IP address. If this is a global IP address, it is not essential, but by making the same conversion, the communication partner becomes a packet distribution device from the game machine side, concealing the internal configuration of the game management center, increasing convenience in system management operation .

  In step S13, the packet whose source IP address has been converted in step S12 described above is sent to the router 20 in accordance with the Internet standard communication protocol. This processing corresponds to realizing the function of the packet input / output processing unit 38a shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 8, and is processed by a standard communication protocol processing program as described above.

  As described above, a general-purpose packet distribution device having a function of converting a destination IP address and a destination port number, a program for realizing the function, and a configuration method of a game management center using the packet distribution device of the present invention I have explained it with a focus. The invention of the packet distribution device without the destination port number conversion function and the program for realizing the function are effective in the case of a special form in which one game management application software is installed in each game management server device. Yes, only the port number conversion function of the general-purpose packet distribution device is functionally omitted, and most of the explanation so far is effective, and it seems that it is possible to easily understand the configuration, operation, etc. So don't repeat here.

It is a notional block diagram of a network connection game system. This is a conceptual illustration of the development of a general game management center configuration. It is a general game management center block diagram using the packet distribution apparatus of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the basic operation | movement of the packet distribution apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the information directly relevant to the packet distribution apparatus of this invention. It is a conversion table used with the packet distribution apparatus of this invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the packet distribution apparatus of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the packet distribution device of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the process sequence of the packet distribution program of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3, ...: Stores such as game centers
1a, 1b, 1c, ...: Game console (connected to communication network)
2a, 2b, 2c, ...: Game console (connected to communication network)
3a, 3b, 3c, ...: Game console (connected to communication network)
5: Wide area network such as the Internet 10: Game management center 11, 12, 13...: Game management server devices 11a, 11b, 11c,...: Game management application program 12a, 12b, 12c,. , 13b, 13c,...: Game management application program 20: Router 25: Internal line such as LAN 30: Packet distribution device 31: Game ID information extraction unit 32: Destination port number conversion unit 33: Destination IP address conversion unit 34: Conversion table reference unit 35: Conversion table 36: Source address conversion unit 37: Conversion table setting change unit 38a: Packet input / output processing unit 38b: Packet input / output processing unit 39: Input / output unit

Claims (5)

A packet distribution device that receives an input packet having game ID information corresponding to a game type, converts the destination address of the input packet into an address of a destination game management server device, and sends the packet.
A game ID information extraction unit for extracting the game ID information included in the input packet;
A conversion table associating the game ID information with the address of the destination game management server device;
A conversion table reference unit that obtains an address of the destination game management server device by referring to the conversion table from the game ID information;
A packet destination conversion unit for converting a destination address of the input packet into a destination address of the game management server;
An address of the game management server is acquired from the game ID information obtained by the game ID information extraction unit using the conversion table, and the packet destination conversion unit converts the packet destination and sends it to the game management server device side. On the other hand, for the output packet from the game management server device to the game machine,
A packet distribution device comprising a transmission source address conversion unit for converting a transmission source address of the output packet, and converting the transmission source address to an address of an outside line interface of the packet distribution device. A packet distribution device that receives an input packet having game ID information corresponding to a game type, converts a destination address and a destination port number of the input packet, and transmits the packet.
A game ID information extraction unit for extracting the game ID information included in the input packet;
A conversion table associating the game ID information with the address of the destination game management server device and the port number of the game management application program;
A conversion table reference unit for obtaining an address of the destination game management server device and a port number of the game management application program by referring to the conversion table from the game ID information;
A port number conversion unit for converting a destination port number of the input packet into a port number of the game management application program;
A packet destination conversion unit for converting a destination address of the input packet into a destination address of the game management server device;
An address of the game management server device and a port number of the game management application software are obtained from the game ID information obtained by the information extraction unit using the conversion table, and converted to the port number obtained by the port number conversion unit. Further, the packet destination conversion unit converts the packet destination and sends it, while conversely for the output packet from the game management server device to the game machine,
A packet distribution device comprising a transmission source address conversion unit for converting a transmission source address of the output packet, and converting the transmission source address to an address of an outside line interface of the packet distribution device.   In the game management center in which there are a plurality of types of network connection games for connecting a plurality of game machines to the game management server device via a communication line, and the game management server devices for managing the network connection game are concentrated, the communication line The packet input / output from the network is connected to a line inside the game management center such as one or a plurality of LANs to which the game management server device is connected through the packet distribution device according to claim 1 or 2. A game management center system. A program having a function of receiving an input packet from a game machine having game ID information corresponding to a game type and converting a destination address of the input packet,
A game ID information extracting step for extracting the game ID information included in the input packet;
Referring to a conversion table designating correspondence between the game ID information and the address of the destination game management server device;
A packet destination conversion step of converting a destination address of the input packet into a destination address of the game management server device;
On the other hand, for an output packet in the reverse direction toward the game machine,
A packet distribution program comprising a transmission source address conversion step of converting a transmission source address of the output packet into an address of an outside line interface of the packet distribution device. A program having a function of receiving an input packet having game ID information corresponding to a game type and converting a destination address and a port number of the input packet,
A game ID information extracting step for extracting the game ID information included in the input packet;
Referring to a conversion table specifying correspondence between the game ID information, the address of the destination game management server device and the port number of the game management application software;
A port number conversion step of converting the port number of the input packet into a port number obtained from the conversion table;
A packet destination conversion step of converting the destination address of the input packet into the address of the game management server device obtained from the conversion table;
On the other hand, for an output packet in the reverse direction toward the game machine,
A packet distribution program comprising a transmission source address conversion step of converting a transmission source address of the output packet into an address of an outside line interface of the packet distribution device.

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