Abstract:
In the disclosed method for supporting the setting of a service, an allocation set that designates the allocation of a program to an information processing device is generated, the service response time and the consumed system power during use of each allocation set are calculated, and from these evaluation results, an allocation set that meets a standard service response time and reduces consumed system power is selected.

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from Japanese application JP2009-251596 filed on Nov. 2, Heisei 21 (2009), the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a service configuration support method in a case in which services are provided by use of information processing devices distributively deployed in a wide-area network system, and in particular, to a method of supporting allocation of application programs to information processing devices. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    As a technique in which caches (copies of data and application programs) are allocated to information processing devices distributively deployed in a wide-area network system to improve the service response time and to reduce the network traffic, there exists a contents delivery network (reference is to be made to, for example, patent literature 1). 
         [0004]    Also, as a technique in which calculation resources (CPU, memories, hard disks) possessed by a plurality of information processing devices distributively deployed in a wide-area network system are used as one composite calculation resource, there exists grid computing (reference is to be made to, for example, patent literature 2). 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0000]    
       
         Patent literature 1: U.S. Pat. No. 7,376,716 Specification 
         Patent literature 2: U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0131993 Specification 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0007]    In the technique described in patent literature 1, no consideration has been given to a situation in which the main constituent component of the services includes a plurality of application programs and they are allocated to a plurality of information processing devices. 
         [0008]    Hence, in a case in which the main constituent component of the services includes a plurality of application programs and they are allocated to a plurality of information processing devices, it is likely that the improvement of the service response time and the reduction of the network traffic cannot be coped with. 
         [0009]    Additionally, in the technique described in patent literature 1, if it is desired to implement the improvement of the service response time and the reduction of the network traffic, it may occur that power is excessively consumed in the overall system. 
         [0010]    In the technique described in patent literature 2, although the calculation resources possessed by the information processing devices are taken into consideration, the application programs are not allocated in consideration of the service response time. Hence, the service response time may become longer. Also, in a case in which the calculation resources possessed by the respective information processing devices are used, it is likely, since the power consumption of the overall system is not taken into consideration, that power is excessively consumed in the overall system. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0011]    The present invention is devised in consideration of the problems above and provides a service configuration support method in which it is possible to allocate a plurality of application programs as the main constituent component of the services to the respective information processing devices so that the services in the mode described above are provided while satisfying the desired service response time as a criterion in consideration of reduction of the power consumption of the overall system. 
         [0012]    In the present description, there is disclosed a technique to provide services implemented through operation in which information processing devices distributively deployed in a network cooperatively conduct operations to call application programs of a plurality of information processing devices to thereby process information, while satisfying the desired service response time in consideration of the system power consumption. 
         [0013]    That is, in the present description, there is disclosed a technique in which a plurality of application programs as the main constituent component of the services are allocated to the information processing devices distributively deployed in a wide-area network in consideration of the service response time. 
         [0014]    A management device according to one aspect disclosed is characterized by creating, when services implemented by sequentially calling a plurality of application programs to thereby process information are introduced to information processing devices geographically distributively deployed in a wide-area network system, an allocation set list of application programs to the information processing devices, calculating the service response time and the system power consumption when each allocation set of the list is applied, evaluating results of the calculation, and selecting allocation sets which satisfy the desired service response time and which reduce the system power consumption as a criterion or presenting selection candidates thereof. 
         [0015]    Further, the management device is characterized by calculating the system operation step count in addition to the service response time and the system power consumption, evaluating results of the calculation, and selecting allocation sets which satisfy the desired service response time and which reduce the system power consumption and the system operation step count as a criterion or presenting selection candidates thereof. 
         [0016]    In addition, the management device is characterized by selecting alternative allocation sets in a case in which it is feared that after the service is introduced, the desired service response time as the criterion is not satisfied. 
         [0017]    Incidentally, a service in the present description indicates providing a user or a third party with results of information processing in a recognizable form or controlling devices associated with a user or a third party according to results of information processing. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0018]    According to the present invention, it is possible to provide services, implemented through operation in which information processing devices distributively deployed in a network system cooperatively conduct operations, by using a small amount of power consumption and a short response time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a diagram to exemplify a general configuration of a network system in an embodying mode. 
           [0020]    FIG  2  is a diagram to exemplify a hardware configuration of a management device in an embodying mode. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a diagram to exemplify a functional configuration of services in an embodying mode. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a diagram to exemplify a functional configuration of a management device in an embodying mode. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is an example of a service attribute managing table in an embodying mode. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is an example of an information processing device managing table in an embodying mode. 
           [0025]    FIG  7  is an example of an information processing device performance managing table in an embodying mode. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is an example of a communication path managing table in an embodying mode. 
           [0027]    FIG  9  is an example of a table for managing links between information processing devices and communication paths in an embodying mode. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is an example of a table for managing power consumption of information processing devices in an embodying mode. 
           [0029]    FIG  11  is an example of a table for managing power consumption of communication paths in an embodying mode. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is an example of a table for managing application program allocation sets in an embodying mode. 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is an example of a table for managing allocation of application programs in an embodying mode. 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is an example of a table for managing communication paths for services in an embodying mode. 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is an example of a flowchart showing processing of a management device in an embodying mode. 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a flowchart exemplifying allocation template preparation processing in an embodying mode. 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  is an example of an allocation template in an embodying mode. 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  is an example of an application program allocation set list in an embodying mode. 
           [0037]    FIG  19  is a flowchart exemplifying allocation set evaluation processing in an embodying mode. 
           [0038]      FIG. 20  is a display example of a service response time evaluation graph in an embodying mode. 
           [0039]      FIG. 21  is a display example of a system power consumption evaluation graph in an embodying mode. 
           [0040]      FIG. 22  is a display example of a system operation step count evaluation graph in an embodying mode. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0041]    Next, description will be given of an embodying mode of the present invention by referring to the drawings. Incidentally, the same reference numerals assigned in the respective diagrams represent the same items or the corresponding items. Also, similar items are discriminated by adding subscripts to the reference numerals thereof depending on cases for convenience of explanation. 
         [0042]    Description will be given of an outline of a network system configuration to which an embodying mode of the present invention is applied, by referring to  FIG. 1 . As shown, the network system of the embodying mode is configured such that client devices installed at a plurality of branch offices for client devices  131  are coupled via a regional center  132  with a server device  103  installed in a data center  133 . In more detail, the client devices are coupled via a branch office network  141  and a gateway node  101  in the client device branch office  131  and an access network  121  with an edge node  102  installed in the regional center  132 , and are further coupled via an edge node  102 , a backbone network  122  of the nationwide scale, and a data center network  142  in the data center  133  with the server device  103 . 
         [0043]    Here, as examples of the client devices installed in the client device branch office  131 , there are shown a monitoring camera  111 , a traffic signal device  112 , a lighting device  113 , and a display device  114 . 
         [0044]    Next, description will be given of an embodying mode by using, as an example, a service to control the traffic signal device  112 , the lighting device  113 , and the display device  114  by using images shot by use of the monitoring camera device  111 . However, any client device and any service may be used only if the client device is in a mode to use a service provided by an information processing device. 
         [0045]    The information processing devices constituting the network system of the embodiment are configured in three layers: the first-layer information processing device is the gateway node  101  installed in the client device branch office  131 , the second-layer information processing device is the edge node  102  installed in the regional center  132 , and the third-layer information processing device is the server device  103  installed in the data center  133 . 
         [0046]    The devices in the respective layers are arranged as the gateway node  101 , the edge node  102 , and the server device  103  in an ascending order of distance relative to the client device (for example, in an ascending network delay time order). Also, the relationship between the numbers of information processing devices in the respective layers satisfies “the number of gateway nodes  101 &gt;&gt;”the number of edge nodes  102 ”&gt;&gt;“the number observer devices  103 ”. 
         [0047]    Incidentally, for the embodiment below, description will be given of the three-layer configuration as an object; however, the contents of the embodying are not restricted by the number of layers; even if the second layer is further subdivided to implement a multilayer configuration, the embodiment is similarly applicable. 
         [0048]    Subsequently, an information processing device indicates the gateway node  101 , the edge node  102 , or the server device  103 . Also, in the present embodiment, the client device branch office  131  is a station yard as an example; however, it may also be other than the station yard. 
         [0049]    Next, description will be given of each item of FIG  1 . 
         [0050]    In the client device branch office  131  (station yard), there are installed client devices such as the monitoring camera device  111 , the traffic signal device  112 , the lighting device  113 , and the display device  114 . 
         [0051]    The monitoring camera device  111  is a video camera to monitor the station yard, continuously shoots images, and transfers image data via the branch office network  141  to the gateway node  101 . The traffic signal device  112  is a device which controls signals when a person or a dangerous item falls onto the railroad, to notify the danger to an electric train or the like coming in the station yard. The lighting device  113  is a device to illuminate a passage or the like in the station yard. The display device  114  is a device to display information of operation, a yard service guide, and an advertisement. The branch office network  141  is a network which couples the monitoring camera device  111 , the traffic signal device  112 , the lighting device  113 , and the display device  114  in the client device branch office  131  (station yard) with each other to transfer data through wired communication or wireless communication. In the branch office network  141 , the communication is conducted according to the standard stipulated by IEEE802.3 or the like. 
         [0052]    The gateway node  101  is an information processing device including a data transfer function and a data processing function (application program executing function) at service execution. The gateway node  101  couples the branch office network  141  with the access network  121 . In the description below, the gateway node  101  is represented as “Gw” in some cases. The gateway node  101  processes the image data outputted from the monitoring camera device  111  to transfer the data to the access network  121 . Also, it transmits control data to the traffic signal device  112 , the lighting device  113 , and the display device  114 . 
         [0053]    The access network  121  and the backbone network  122  are a communication network and an aggregate of a plurality of communication paths including information communicating devices such as a router and a switch, not shown, as well as communication lines coupling them with each other. 
         [0054]    The backbone network  122  is a trunk communication network extending in a wide area such as a range of one nation. The backbone network  122  and the access network  121  configure a layered network topology capable of accommodating a large number of locations. In the respective networks, Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transferred. 
         [0055]    The access network  121  is a communication network to couple the gateway node  101  installed in the client device branch office  131  with the edge node  102  installed in the regional center  132 . 
         [0056]    The regional center  132  is a location to install the edge node  102  to accommodate a plurality of gateway nodes  101  and the access network  121 . One regional center  132  is installed in each ward or city (or a part thereof) or in each area formed by combining them with each other. 
         [0057]    The edge node  102  is an information processing device including a data transfer function and a data processing function (application program executing function) at service execution. The edge node  102  is placed between the access network  121  and the backbone network  122 . Hereinbelow, the edge node  102  is represented as “Ed” in some cases. 
         [0058]    in the data center  133 , the server device  103  is installed. The server device  103  is an information processing device including a data processing function (application program executing function) at service execution. The server device  103  couples via the data center network  142  with the backbone network  122 . Hereinbelow, the server device  103  is represented as “Sv” in some cases. 
         [0059]    In a management center  134 , the management device  104  is installed. The management device  104  couples via a management center network  143  with the backbone network  122 . The management device  104  is a device to manage the gateway node  101 , the 
         [0060]    edge node  102 , and the server device  103 . 
         [0061]    Next, description will be given of a hardware configuration of the management device  104  in an embodying mode of the present invention by referring to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0062]    The management device  104  includes a CPU  201 , a memory  203 , a network interface  202 , a disk  206 , and an internal signal line  208 . Also, the management device  104  includes an output device  204  and an input device  205  to execute interactive processing with a manager. 
         [0063]    In the management device  104 , under control of an Operating System (OS), the CPU  201  calls programs stored in the disk  206  into the memory  203  and executes the programs to thereby implement respective functions, which will be described below. However, in the description below, each program is regarded as the main constituent component of the execution, for convenience. 
         [0064]    The CPU  201  is a processor which executes programs called into the memory  203  to thereby conduct various processing. 
         [0065]    The memory  203  is, for example, a volatile or nonvolatile memory for which high-speed access is possible, and stores programs to be executed by the CPU  201  and information or the like required for the CPU  201 . 
         [0066]    The network interface  202  includes a network interface card such as an IEEE802.3 interface card corresponding to various communication speeds such as 1 Gps and 10 Gps, and functions as a data input and output adapter to couple via a communication network with an information processing device facing thereto. The network interface  202  sends and receives data and control signals based on TCP/IP and the like. 
         [0067]    The disk  206  is a storage device, for example, a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) disk drive, a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) disk drive, or a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) disk drive. The disk  206  may be a nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory is, for example, a flash memory. In the disk  206 , a plurality of logical volumes  207  are set to store therein an OS, an application program, and various information pieces such as user data. 
         [0068]    Incidentally, each program and data may be beforehand stored in the disk  206  or may be introduced, according to necessity, from another device into the disk  206  via the network interface  202 , a recording medium, reader device, not shown, and a medium which is available for the management device  104 . The medium indicates a storage medium attachable to and detachable from the recording medium reader device or a communication medium (that is, wired, wireless, and optical networks or carrier waves and digital signals which propagate through the network). 
         [0069]    The internal signal line  208  is, for example, a bus. The internal signal line  208  couples the CPU  201 , the memory  203 , the network interface  202 , the disk  206 , the input device  205 , and the output device  204  with each other. 
         [0070]    The output device  204  is a device to display various information pieces and is, for example, a display device. 
         [0071]    The input device  205  is a device for the manager to input various information pieces and is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. 
         [0072]    The gateway node  101 , the edge node  102 , and the server device  103  are also similar in the hardware configuration to the management device  104 ; however, if it is not required to conduct interactive processing with the manager, the output device  204  and the input device  205  may be dispensed with. Further, in the gateway node  101  and the edge node  102 , a plurality of network interfaces  202  may be disposed. 
         [0073]    Next, description will be given of services exemplified in the present embodying mode by referring to  FIG. 3 . Here, description will be given of an example of services to control the traffic signal device  112 , the lighting device  113 , and the display device  114  in the client device branch office  131  (station yard) by use of images shot by using the monitoring camera device  111 . 
         [0074]    This service is configured by combining several application programs with each other. That is, “each application program receives data from an application program in the preceding stage, executes processing, and then passes data to an application program in the succeeding stage” is repeatedly carried out, to thereby implement the service. 
         [0075]    The data passed between the application programs may be described according to, for example, the Extensible Markup Language (XML) format; however, the data may be described in any format only if the application program to receive the data is capable of interpreting the format. The application program is a Web service in which, for example, Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) over Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is employed as the communication protocol; however, it may be a database query using SQL. 
         [0076]    Incidentally, in the example shown in  FIG. 3 , “program” to be added to the end of the name of the application program is omitted. Moreover, in the parentheses at the top of the application program name, an ID (ID 501  of a service attribute managing table  500 ) of the application program, which will be described later, is described. 
         [0077]    Next, description will be given of processing to control the traffic signal device  112  by using images shot by the monitoring camera device  111 . 
         [0078]    To measure the response time of the service, an image conversion program  301  measures the input time of an unprocessed original image  321 , and outputs the input time of the original image  321  in addition to data of images and the like to an application program in the succeeding stage. 
         [0079]    The monitoring camera device  111  transmits a fixed number of sheets of the original image  321  per unitary time (for example, ten sheets per second) to the image conversion program  301 . 
         [0080]    The image conversion program  301  adds, on receiving the original image  321 , the identifier (ID) of the monitoring camera device  111  as attribute information to the original image  321 . Incidentally, the original image  321  conforms to an image format unique to the monitoring camera device  111 . Also, the image conversion program  301  records the input time (t) of the original image  321 . 
         [0081]    The image conversion program  301  converts the original image  321  received from the monitoring camera device  111  into an image  322  of a standard image format so that the application program in the succeeding stage processes it, and then converts the ID of the monitoring camera device  111  into camera position coordinates ((x,y)). The image conversion program  301  transmits the image  322 , the camera position coordinates ((x,y)), and the input time (t) of the original image  321  to an object identification program  302  in the succeeding stage. 
         [0082]    The object identification program  302  executes image processing for the received image  322  to determine whether or not the image  322  includes a mobile object. The image processing to identify the mobile object is implemented by using a combination of image analysis algorithms such as the threshold value processing, the edge detection processing, and the area division processing described in “The Pocket Handbook of Image Processing Algorithms In C” (written by H. R. Myler and A. R. Weeks; Prentice Hall, Inc., 1993, ISBN: 978-0136422402) and the like, 
         [0083]    The identification of the mobile object may be realized by processing a single image  322  or by processing a plurality of images  322  at different input points of time (t) of the original image  321 . This also applies to image processing in a size recognition program  303 , a human identification program  306 , and a people flow recognition program  309 , which will be described later. 
         [0084]    The object identification program  302  transmits, if the image  322  includes a mobile object, its image (object image  323 ) together with the camera position coordinates ((x,y)) to the size recognition program  303 . Also, it transfers the input time (t) of the corresponding original image  321 . 
         [0085]    The size recognition program  303  executes image processing for the received object image  323  to determine whether or not the size of the mobile object is equal to or more than a threshold value. If the size of the mobile object is equal to or more than the threshold value, the size recognition program  303  transfers the camera position coordinates ((x,y))  324  of the pertinent object image  323  to an alerting program  304 . Also, the size recognition program  303  transfers the input time (t) of the original image  321 . 
         [0086]    The alerting program  304  determines, based on the received camera position coordinates ((x,y))  324 , whether or not an alert is to be indicated. If the alert is to be indicated, the alerting program  304  transmits an alert  325  together with the camera position coordinates ((x,y))  324  to an alert conversion, program  305 . Also, it transfers the input time (t) of the original image  321 . 
         [0087]    The alert conversion program  305  converts the received alert  325  into data of an alert format unique to the traffic signal device  112  so that the traffic signal device  112  processes the data. Further, the program  305  obtains, based on the camera position coordinates ((x,y))  324 , the ID of the traffic signal device  112  which issues the alert. The alert conversion program  305  transmits the alert  326  to the traffic signal device  112  indicated by the ID. The traffic signal device  112  notifies, according to the received alert, the danger to the periphery by use of light, sound, vibration, or the like. 
         [0088]    The alert conversion program  305  measures the time at which the alert  326  is transmitted to the traffic signal device  112 . By obtaining the difference between this time and the input time (t) of the original image  321 , the program  305  measures the service response time. 
         [0089]    Next, description will be given of processing to control the lighting device  113  by use of images shot by the monitoring camera device  111 . The processing ranging from the image conversion program  301  to the size recognition program  303  is as described above. 
         [0090]    The human identification program  306  executes image processing for a large object image  327  received from the size recognition program  303  to determine whether or not the object of the size equal to or more than the threshold value includes a human and to determine an approximate number of humans. If the object includes a human, the program  306  transmits the number of humans (approximate number) and the camera position coordinates ((x,y))  328  to an illumination configuration program  307 . Also, the program  306  transfers the input time (t) of the original image  321 . 
         [0091]    The illumination configuration program  307  determines, based on the number of humans and the camera position coordinates ((x,y))  328  thus received, whether or not the lighting device  113  is to be set and determines, if the lighting device  113  is to be set, the illumination configuration (illumination on or off, illumination brightness). The illumination configuration program  307  transmits, if the lighting device  113  is to be set, the illumination configuration  329  together with the camera position coordinates ((x,y)) to an illumination configuration conversion program  308 . Also, the program  307  transfers the input time (t) of the original image  321 . 
         [0092]    The illumination configuration conversion program  308  converts the received illumination configuration  329  into data of an illumination configuration format unique to the lighting device  113  so that the lighting device  113  processes the data. Moreover, the illumination configuration conversion program  308  obtains, based on the camera, position coordinates ((x,y))  324 , the ID of the lighting device  113  for which the illumination configuration is to be implemented. 
         [0093]    The illumination configuration, conversion program  308  transmits an illumination configuration  330  to the lighting device  113  indicated by the ID. The lighting device  113  puts the illumination on or off and changes the brightness according to the received illumination configuration  330 . 
         [0094]    The illumination configuration conversion program  308  measures the time at which the illumination configuration is transmitted to the lighting device  113 . By obtaining the difference between this time and the input time (t) of the original image  321 , the program  308  measures the service response time. 
         [0095]    Next, description will be given of processing to control the display device  114  by use of images shot by the monitoring camera device  111 . The processing ranging from the image conversion program  301  to the size recognition program  303  as well as to the human identification program  306  is as described above. 
         [0096]    The people flow recognition program  309  executes image processing for one sheet or a plurality of sheets of a human image  331  received from the human identification program  306 , to measure people flow information. The people flow information includes a direction of a flow of people and the number of humans in the image. When the people flow information is measured, the program  309  transmits people flow information  332  and the camera position coordinates ((x,y)) to a display information configuration program  310 . Also, it transfers the input time (t) of the original image  321 . 
         [0097]    The display information configuration program  310  determines, based on the people flow information  322  and the camera position coordinates ((x,y)) thus received whether or not the display device  114  is to be set, and determines, if the display device  114  is to be set, display information (information of operation, a service guide and an advertisement in the station yard). If the display device  114  is to be set, the program  310  transmits display information  333  together with the camera position coordinates ((x,y)) to a display information conversion program  311 . Also, it transfers the input time (t) of the original image  321 . 
         [0098]    The display information conversion program  311  converts the received display information  333  into data of a display information format unique to the display device  114  so that the display device  114  processes the data. Further, based on the camera position coordinates ((x,y)), the program  311  obtains the ID of the display device  114  for which the display information is set. The display information conversion program  311  transmits display information  334  to the display device  114  indicated by the ID. The display device  114  displays the received display information  334 . 
         [0099]    The display information conversion program  311  measures the time at which the display information is transmitted to the display device  114 . By obtaining the difference between this time and the input time (t) of the original image  321 , the program  311  measures the 
         [0100]    service response time. 
         [0101]    Next, description will be given of a functional configuration of the management device  104  in the present embodying mode by referring to  FIG. 4 . Programs and management tables possessed by the management device  104  are stored in the disk  206  disposed in the management device  104  and are called into the memory  203  to be executed or processed by the CPU  201 . 
         [0102]    The management device  104  includes respective programs such as an allocation set preparing program  401 , an allocation set evaluating program  402 , an allocation set selecting program  403 , a service introducing program  404 , a service response time monitoring program  405 , and an alternative allocation set selecting program  406  as well as respective management tables such as a service attribute managing table  500 , an information processing device managing table  600 , an information processing device performance managing table  700 , a path managing table  800 , a link managing table  900 , an information processing device power consumption managing table  1000 , a path power consumption managing table  1100 , an allocation set managing table  1200 , an allocation managing table  1300 , and a service communication path managing table  1400 . The respective management tables are implemented by techniques such as a relational database. 
         [0103]    Next, description will be given of a configuration of the management tables possessed by the management device  104 . In the description of each column of the management tables, description of units will be avoided. Further, the contents of inputs to the respective management tables are indicated by the manager. Incidentally, processing of each program and a use example of each management table will be described later. 
         [0104]      FIG. 5  shows a configuration of the service attribute managing table  500  for the management device  104  to control attributes of the station yard monitoring services exemplified in  FIG. 3 . The service attribute managing table  500  is created for each service. 
         [0105]    The service attribute managing table  500  includes respective columns such as an identifier (ID) column  501 , a prior ID column  502 , a subsequent ID column  502 , an application program column  504 , an input data amount column  505 , an output data amount column  506 , an input and output frequency ratio column  507 , an allocatable information processing device column ( 508  column,  509  column,  510  column), and a service response time column  511 . 
         [0106]    To the ID column  501 , there is inputted the identifier of an application program to be managed by the service attribute managing table  500 . This is the main key of the service attribute managing table  500 . Here, capital letters of the Roman alphabet are assigned in the alphabetical order as “A”, “B”, “C”, . . . . 
         [0107]    To the prior ID column  502 , there is set the identifier of an application program to output data which is received as an input by the pertinent application program. 
         [0108]    To the subsequent ID column  503 , there is set the identifier of an application program to receive, as an input thereto, data outputted from the pertinent application program. 
         [0109]    Incidentally, an application program in the first stage (for which the prior ID column  502  is not defined) to start a series of processing of the service is called a service start application program. In the present embodiment, this corresponds to the image conversion program  301 . 
         [0110]    Further, an application program in the last stage (for which the subsequent ID column  503  is not defined) to end a series of processing of the service is called a service end application program. In the present embodiment, this corresponds to the alert conversion program  305 , the illumination configuration conversion program  308 , and the display information conversion program  311 . 
         [0111]    A program corresponding neither to the start application program nor to the end application program described above is called an intermediate application program of the service. In the present embodiment, this corresponds to the object identification program  302 , the size recognition program  303 , the alerting program  304 , the human identification program  306 , the illumination configuration program  307 , the people flow recognition program  309 , and the display information configuration program  310 . 
         [0112]    To the application program column  504 , the name of an application program is set. In the example shown in  FIG. 5 , “program” to be added to the end of the name is omitted. 
         [0113]    If the size of the input data is a fixed value, the size is registered to the input data 
         [0114]    amount column  505 . 
         [0115]    If the size of the output data is a fixed value, the size is registered to the output data amount column  506 . 
         [0116]    To the input and output frequency ratio column  507 , there is set the ratio (probability) of the number of data outputs to that of the data inputs. For example, if the output is conducted according to the probability of one data output to ten data inputs, the ratio is 0.1. 
         [0117]    The allocatable information processing device column (Gw  508  column, Ed  509  column, Sv  510  column) indicates the type of an information processing device to which the pertinent application program is allocatable. If the gateway node  101  is an allocatable information processing device, “ 1 ” is set to Gw  508  column. If the edge node  102  is an allocatable information processing device, the lid  509  column is set in a similar way. If the server device  103  is an allocatable information processing device, the Sv  510  column is set in a similar way. 
         [0118]    The determination of which one of the programs is allocatable to which one of the types of information processing devices is conducted by the manager in consideration of the processing load and the contents of processing of each application program. For example, when handling information of each client device, the gateway node  101  is regarded as allocatable; in a situation of the large processing load, the edge node  102  and the server device  103  are regarded as allocatable. 
         [0119]    To the service response time column  511 , a service response time required at service execution is set if the pertinent application program is the end application program. 
         [0120]    Next, description will be given of the information processing device managing table  600  for the management device  104  to control the information processing devices by referring to FIG  6 . 
         [0121]    The information processing device managing table  600  includes respective columns such as a device ID column  601 , a location ID column  602 , a type column  603 , and a model column  604 . 
         [0122]    To the device ID column  601 , the ID (identifier) of an information processing device is set. This is the main key of the information processing device managing table  600 . 
         [0123]    To the location ID column  602 , there is set the ID (identifier) of the location at which the pertinent information processing device is installed. 
         [0124]    To the type column  603 , the type of the information processing device is set. For the gateway node  101 , the edge node  102 , and the server device  103 , there are respectively set “Gw”, “Ed”, and “Sv”. 
         [0125]    To the model column  604 , the device model of the information processing device (an identifier of the product model) is set. 
         [0126]    Next, description will be given of the information processing device performance managing table  700  for the management device  104  to control performance of the information processing devices by referring to  FIG. 7 . 
         [0127]    The information processing device performance managing table  700  includes respective columns such as a model column  604 ( 2 ), a processing performance column  701  regarding server functions, and a processing performance column  702  regarding router functions. 
         [0128]    The model column  604 ( 2 ) is similar to the model column  604  of the information processing device managing table  600 . This is the main key of the information processing 
         [0129]    device performance managing table  700 . 
         [0130]    To the processing performance column  701  regarding server functions, there is set processing performance (throughput) when the pertinent information processing device executes processing of application programs. If the processing performance varies between types of application programs, a mean value is set. Or, a minimum value may be set. 
         [0131]    To the processing performance column  702  regarding router functions, there is set processing performance (throughput) when the information processing device transfers data without executing processing of application programs. 
         [0132]    Next, description will be given of the path managing table  800  for the management device  104  to control paths between information processing devices by referring to FIG  8 . 
         [0133]    The paths managed by the path managing table  800  are paths to directly couple the information processing devices with each other. The paths include, for example, a path to couple information processing device A with information processing device B without using any other information processing device. A path to couple information processing device A via information processing device C with information processing device B are managed by dividing the path into a path to couple information processing device A with information processing device C without using any other information processing device and a path to couple information processing device C with information processing device B without using any other information processing device. 
         [0134]    Incidentally, the paths may be virtual paths realized by the Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology and the like. 
         [0135]    The path managing table  800  includes respective columns such as a path ID column  801 , a type column  802 , a hop count column  803 , a propagation delay time column  804 , and a bandwidth column  805 . 
         [0136]    To the path ID column  801 , the ID (identifier) of a path is set. This is the main key of the path managing table  800 . To the type column  802 , there is set the type of the path, namely, the network (the backbone network  122  or the access network  121 ) to which the path belongs. 
         [0137]    To the hop count column  803 , there is set the number of communication devices such as routers and switches existing on the pertinent path. 
         [0138]    To the propagation delay time column  804 , there is set a period of time from when data is transmitted from an information processing device via the path to when the data arrives at another information processing layer. 
         [0139]    To the bandwidth column  805 , a bandwidth available for the path is set. If the bandwidth changes in the path, a minimum value thereof is set. 
         [0140]    Next, description will be given of the link managing table  900  for the management device  104  to control linkage relationships between information processing devices and paths by referring to  FIG. 9 . 
         [0141]    The link managing table  900  includes a device ID column  601 ( 2 ) and a path ID  801 ( 2 ) column. 
         [0142]    The device ID column  601 ( 2 ) is similar to the device ID column  601  of the information processing device managing table  600 . This is the main key of the link managing table  900 . 
         [0143]    The path ID  801 ( 2 ) column includes respective columns of values of the path ID column  801  in the path managing table  800 . If an information processing device indicated by the pertinent device ID couples with the path indicated by the path ID, “1” is set; otherwise, “0” is set. 
         [0144]    Next, description will be given of the information processing device power consumption managing table  1000  for the management device  104  to control power consumption of information processing devices by referring to  FIG. 10 . 
         [0145]    The information processing device power consumption managing table  1000  includes respective columns such as a model column  604 ( 3 ), an all power consumption column  1001 , and power consumption  1002  regarding router functions. 
         [0146]    The model column  604 ( 3 ) is similar to the model column  604  of the information processing device managing table  600 . This is the main key of the information processing device power consumption managing table  1000 . 
         [0147]    To the all power consumption column  1001 , there is set power consumed when the pertinent information processing device is executing application programs. If the power varies depending on processing amounts of application programs, there is set power consumed for an average processing amount. Or, there may be set power consumed when the processing amount is at the upper limit. 
         [0148]    To the power consumption  1002  regarding router functions, there is set power consumed when the pertinent information processing device transfers data without executing 
         [0149]    processing of application programs. 
         [0150]    Next, description will be given of the path power consumption managing table  1100  for the management device  104  to control power consumption of paths by referring to  FIG. 11 . 
         [0151]    The path power consumption managing table  1100  includes respective columns such as a type column  802 ( 2 ) and a one-hop power consumption column  1101 . 
         [0152]    The type column  802 ( 2 ) is similar to the type column  802  of the path managing table  800 . This is the main key of the path power consumption managing table  1100 . 
         [0153]    To the one-hop power consumption column  1101 , there is set power consumed each time one hop (one communication device) is passed in the path of the pertinent type. 
         [0154]    Next, description will be given of the allocation set managing table  1200  for the management device  104  to control an allocation set of application programs constituting a service by referring to FIG  12 . 
         [0155]    In the present embodiment, a service includes a combination of a plurality of application programs, and each application program is allocated to either one of three types of information processing devices (the gateway node  101 , the edge node  102 , the servicer device  103 ). 
         [0156]    An allocation set is a combination of allocation of application programs (which one of application programs is allocated to which one of the types of information processing devices) when a service is implemented. 
         [0157]    The allocation set managing table  1200  includes a service ID column  1201  and an allocation set column ( 1202  column- 1207  column). 
         [0158]    To the service ID column  1201 , the identifier (ID) of a service is set. This is the main key of the allocation set managing table  1200 . 
         [0159]    The allocation set column includes respective columns ( 1202  column- 1207  column) of application program IDs associated with the pertinent service. To each column, there is set the type of an information processing device to which the application program indicated by the ID is allocated. 
         [0160]    When the pertinent application program is allocated to one gateway node  101  in this ratio, “Gw” is set. When the application program is allocated to one server device  103  in this ratio, “Sv” is set. When the application program is allocated to one edge node  102  in this ratio, “Ed” is set. When the application program is allocated to every x-th edge node  102  in this ratio, “(xEd)” is set. For example, when the application program is allocated to every second edge node  102  in this ratio, “(2Ed)” is set. 
         [0161]    Next, description will be given of the allocation managing table  1300  for the management device  104  to control allocation of application programs constituting a service by referring to  FIG. 13 . 
         [0162]    The allocation managing table  1300  is a table for the management device  104  to control, when each application program is allocated to an information processing device at implementation of a service according to the allocation managing table  1300 , the allocation (which one of application programs is allocated to which one of the information processing devices). 
         [0163]    The allocation managing table  1300  includes a service ID column  1201 ( 2 ), a deployment ID column  1301 , and an information processing devices for allocation column ( 1302  column- 1307  column). 
         [0164]    The service ID column  1201 ( 2 ) is similar to the service ID column  1201  of the allocation set managing table  1200 . 
         [0165]    To the deployment ID column  1301 , the identifier (ID) of the deployment (deploy, actual example) of the pertinent service is set. This is the main key of the allocation managing table  1300 . 
         [0166]    The information processing devices for allocation column includes respective columns ( 1302  column- 1307  column) of application program IDs associated with the deployment. To each column, there is set the device ID (the device ID  601  of the information processing device managing table  600 ) of the information processing device to which the application program indicated by the ID is allocated. 
         [0167]    Next, description will be given of the service communication path managing table  1400  for the management device  104  to control communication paths at execution of a service by referring to  FIG. 14 . 
         [0168]    The service communication path managing table  1400  is a management table for the management device  104  to control the information processing devices existing on the communication path at execution of a service. 
         [0169]    The service communication path managing table  1400  includes a service ID  1201 ( 3 ), a deployment ID  1301 ( 2 ), a data input frequency  1401  column, and an information processing device column ( 1402  column- 1407  column). 
         [0170]    The service ID column  1201 ( 3 ) is similar to the service ID column  1201  of the allocation set managing table  1200 . 
         [0171]    The deployment ID column  1301 ( 2 ) is similar to the deployment ID column  1301  of the allocation managing table  1300 . This is the main key of the service communication path managing table  1400 . 
         [0172]    To the information processing device column ( 1402  column- 1407  column), there are set device IDs (the device ID column  601  of the information processing device managing table  600 ) of the information processing devices existing on the communication path associated with the deployment. In the present embodiment, as for the device configuration on the communication path, three configurations are assumed as below. Hence, in  FIG. 14 , the information processing device column is configured as indicated by ( 1402  column- 1407  column) so that all deployments of information processing devices are registered in association with these three device configurations. However, the communication paths are not restricted by the configurations.
   Device configuration  1 : Gateway node  101  (“Gov” column  1402 )—Edge node  102  (“Ed” column  1403 )—Server device  103  (“Sv” column  1405 )—Edge node  102  (“Ed” column  1406 )—Gateway node  101  (“Gw” column  1407 )   Device configuration  2 : Gateway node  101  (“Gw” column  1402 )—Edge node  102 ( 2 ) (“Ed” column  1404 )—Gateway node  101  (“Gw” column  1407 )   Device configuration  3 : Gateway node  101  (“Gw” column  1402 )—Edge node  102  (“Ed” column  1403 )—Edge node  102 ( 2 ) (“Ed” column  1404 )—Edge node  102  (“Ed” column  1406 )—Gateway node  101  (“Gw” column  1407 )   
 
         [0176]    In FIG  14 , a  1421  row and a  1422  row are examples of device configuration 1, and a  1423  row and a  1424  row are examples of device configuration  3 . 
         [0177]    Next, description will be given of processing in which when the services exemplified in  FIG. 3  are introduced as new services, the management device  104  deploys the services by allocating application programs to respective information processing devices on a wide-area network by using as indices the service response time, the system, power consumption, and the system operation step count. The respective programs of the management device  104  carry out this processing based on a dialog with the manager.  FIG. 15  shows a processing flow of the management device  104  and that of the gateway node  101 , the edge node  102 , and the server processing  103 . 
         [0178]    The allocation set preparing program  401  of the management device  104  prepares an allocation set list  1800  ( FIG. 18 ) of application programs by use of the service attribute managing table  500 . 
         [0179]    Next, description will be given of an example in which application program allocation sets are prepared for three services of control of the traffic signal device  112 , control of the lighting device  113 , and control of the display device  114  exemplified in  FIG. 3 . Three allocation sets may be prepared respectively for these three services; or, a shared allocation set shared among these three services may be prepared. Hereinbelow, to avoid complexity of explanation, description will be given of a situation in which a shared allocation set is prepared. That is, the human identification program  306  and the people flow recognition program  309  are allocated in the same way as for the size recognition program  303 . Hereinbelow, description thereof will be omitted for  FIG. 18  and the like. 
         [0180]    Similarly, the illumination configuration program  307  and the display information configuration program are allocated in the same way as for the alerting program  304 , Hereinbelow, description thereof will be omitted for  FIG. 18  and the like. 
         [0181]    Moreover, the illumination configuration conversion program  308  and the display information conversion program  311  are allocated in the same way as for the alert conversion program  305 . Hereinbelow, description thereof will be omitted for  FIG. 18  and the like. 
         [0182]    Incidentally, when the application allocation sets are individually prepared for the services of control of the traffic signal device  112 , control of the lighting device  113 , and control of the display device  114 , it is only required that each service is treated as an independent service and processing of  FIG. 15 , which will be described later, is executed for each, service. 
         [0183]    Each application program, constituting the services may be allocated, among the three-layer information processing devices (the gateway node  101 , the edge node  102 , and the server device  103 ), to any information processing device designated by the allocatable information processing device column ( 508 ,  509 ,  510 ) of the service attribute managing table  500 . 
         [0184]    As the number of application programs constituting a service increases, the number of allocatable combinations of application programs becomes larger and more complex. Hence, the allocation set preparing program  401  presents, as allocation templates, allocation along representative communication paths to the manager, and the manager selects therefrom allocation templates meeting service requirements (S 1501 ). 
         [0185]    FIG  16  shows a procedure to create allocation templates. FIG  17  shows templates created as a result thereof. Communication paths of the service stipulated by the allocation templates are of two patterns as below.
   1. Turn at server device  103  (communication path pattern  1 )   Gateway node  101 —Edge node  102 —Server device  103 —Edge node  102 —Gateway node  101     2. Turn at edge node  102  (communication path pattern  2 )   Gateway node  101 —Edge node  102 —Gateway node  101     Gateway node  101 —Edge node  102 —Edge node  102 ( 2 )—Edge node  102 —Gateway node  101     
 
         [0191]    The application programs constituting the service are sequentially allocated to the respective information processing devices existing on these communication path patterns  1  and  2 . Whether the gateway node  101  as the service start point is equal to or unequal to the gateway node  101  as the service end point depends on the service provided. 
         [0192]    The allocation template creation procedure includes three conditional branches as below.
   Whether an application program (AP) of the service is allocated to the server device  103  (communication path pattern  1 ) or to the edge node  102  (communication path pattern  2 ) (S 1601 , S 1602 ).   If the application program of the service is allocated to the edge node  102 , whether the application program is allocated to all edge nodes  102  or to each group of several ones of the edge nodes  102  (S 1603 , S 1604 ).   Whether or not an application program (the start application program, the end application program, or the like) allocatable to the gateway node  101  in the service is allocated to the gateway node  101  (S 1605 , S 1605 ( 2 ), S 1605 ( 3 ))   
 
         [0196]    FIG  17  shows allocation templates created as a result of the processing. As examples of situations in which the application program is allocated to each group of several ones of the edge nodes  102 , there are shown a situation in which the program is allocated to every second edge node (T 005 , T 006 ) and a situation in which the program is allocated to every fifth edge node (T 007 , T 008 ). The templates of  FIG. 17  are as follows.
   (T 001 ): A start application program (to be abbreviated as AP), an intermediate AP, and an end AP of the service are allocated to the server device  103  (the number of respective APs: the number of server devices  103 =1:1)   (T 002 ): A start application program, a part of intermediate APs after the start AP, a part of intermediate APs before an end AP, and an end AP of the service are allocated to the gateway node  101  (however, the intermediate AP is not necessarily required) (the number of respective APs: the number of gateway nodes  101 =1:1). Further, a part of intermediate APs is allocated to the server device  103  (the number of respective APs: the number of server devices  103 =1:1)   (T 003 ): A start application, program, an intermediate AP, and an end AP of the service are allocated to the edge node  102  (the number of respective APs: the number of edge nodes  102 =1:1)   (T 004 ): A start application program, a part of intermediate APs after the start AP, a part of intermediate APs before an end AP, and a service end AP of the service are allocated to the gateway node  101  (however, the intermediate AP is not necessarily required) (the number of respective APs: the number of gateway nodes  101 =1:1). Further, a part of intermediate APs is allocated to the edge node  102  (the number of respective APs: the number of edge nodes  102 =1:1)   (T 005 ): A start application program. an intermediate AP, and a service end AP of the service are allocated to every second edge node  102  (the number of respective APs: the number of edge nodes  102 =1:2)   (T 006 ): A start application program AP, a part of intermediate APs after the start AP a part of intermediate APs before an end AP, and a service end AP of the service are allocated to the gateway node  101  (however, the intermediate AP is not necessarily required) (the number of respective APs: the number of gateway nodes  101 =1:1). Further, a part of intermediate APs is allocated to every second edge node  102  (the number of respective APs: the number of edge nodes  102 =1:2)   (T 007 ): A application program, an intermediate AP, and an end AP of the service are allocated to every fifth edge node  102  (the number of respective APs: the number of edge nodes  102 =1:5)   (T 008 ): A start application program, a part of intermediate APs after the start AP, a part of intermediate APs before an end AP, and an end AP of the service are allocated to the gateway node  101  (however, the intermediate AP is not necessarily required) (the number of respective APs: the number of gateway nodes  101 =1:1). Further, a part of intermediate APs is allocated to every fifth edge node  102  (the number of respective APs: the number of edge nodes  102 =1:5)   
 
         [0205]    From the templates described above, the manager selects several appropriate templates in consideration of the service requirements, the design step count, and the operation step count. Here, it is assumed that the manager selects the allocation templates (T 002 ), (T 004 ), (T 006 ), and (T 008 ) on the assumption that the processing is executed in the gateway node  101  (the service start and end application programs are allocated to the gateway node  101 ). 
         [0206]    The allocation set preparing program  401  prepares, based on the allocation templates selected by the manager, combinations of application program allocation for the newly introduced service (S 1502 ). The allocation set preparing program  401  refers to the allocatable information processing device ( 508  column,  509  column,  510  column) of the service attribute managing table  500  and lists all combinations of application program allocation conforming to the allocation templates, in the application program allocation set list  1800  shown in  FIG. 18 . 
         [0207]    The allocation set list  1800  is created for each service. It includes respective columns such as a set ID column  1801 , a template ID column  1802 , and columns of application program allocation sets ranging from the  521 ( 2 ) column to the  525  column. 
         [0208]    To the set ID column  1801 , there is set the identifier of an allocation set of 
         [0209]    application programs constituting the service. This is the main key of the allocation set list. 
         [0210]    To the template ID column  1802 , there is set the identifier (a symbol of the template of  FIG. 17 ) of the template assumed as the base of the allocation combination indicated by the row. 
         [0211]    To respective columns from the  521 ( 2 ) column to the  525  column, there are set types of information processing devices to be allocated respectively to the application programs ranging from an application program (ID=A( 521 ( 2 )) to an application program (ID=E( 525 ( 2 )). When an application program is allocated to the gateway  101 , “Gw” is set. Similarly, when an application program is allocated to the server device  103 , “Sv” is set. Further, when an application program is allocated to each edge node  102 , “Ed” is set; when an application program is allocated to every second edge node  102 , “(2Ed)” is set; and when an application program is allocated to every fifth edge node  102 , “(5Ed)” is set. 
         [0212]    Incidentally, it is also possible that the manager freely designates an application allocation set without designating an allocation template to add it to the allocation sets listed in the application program allocation set list  1800  by the allocation set preparing program  401 . The allocation set designated by the manager is configured, for example, as below: one intermediate application program is allocated to all edge nodes  102  and another intermediate application program is allocated to every fifth edge node  102  in the service. Also, it is configured such that an intermediate application program is allocated to every second edge node  102  and another intermediate application program is allocated to the server device  103  in the service. 
         [0213]    Next, the allocation set evaluating program  402  of the management device  104  calculates the service response time, the system power consumption, and the system operation step count for the application program allocation set prepared by the allocation, set preparing program  401  (S 1503 ).  FIG. 19  shows details of the processing. 
         [0214]    First, the allocation set evaluating program  402  calculates the system power consumption and the system operation step count for an existing service (S 1901 ). A plurality of existing services may be executed. 
         [0215]    The system power consumption is calculated using expression 1. 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   [ 
                   
                     MATH 
                     . 
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     1 
                   
                   ] 
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
             
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       ∑ 
                       l 
                     
                      
                     
                       
                         PTlink 
                         l 
                       
                       × 
                       
                         ATlink 
                         l 
                       
                     
                   
                   + 
                   
                     
                       ∑ 
                       n 
                     
                      
                     
                       
                         PTnode 
                         n 
                       
                       × 
                       
                         ATnode 
                         n 
                       
                     
                   
                   + 
                   
                     
                       ∑ 
                       n 
                     
                      
                     
                       
                         PPnode 
                         n 
                       
                       × 
                       
                         APnode 
                         n 
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   
                     expression 
                      
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     1 
                   
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0216]    In expression 1, the first term is power consumed in all communication paths at execution of an existing service. The second term is power consumption associated with data transfers in all information processing devices. The third term is power consumption associated with data processing in all information processing devices. Therefore, the first term of expression 1 is power consumed in all communication paths at execution of the existing service, and the sum of the second term and the third term is power consumed in all information processing devices. 
         [0217]    In expression 1, PTlink  1  is power consumption in a path (path ID  801 =1). A search is made through the path managing table  800  for the type  802  and the hop count  803  in the row for which the path ID  801  is 1. Further, a search is made through, the path power consumption managing table  1100  for power consumption of one hop  1101  corresponding to the type  802 ( 2 ). By multiplying the path hop count  803  of the path by the power consumption of one hop  1101 , the power consumption of the path is calculated. 
         [0218]    ATlink  1  is a data transfer allocation state on a path (path ID  801 =1). Using the service ID  1201 ( 3 ) as a key, a search is made through the service communication path managing table  1400  for the information processing devices (device ID) ( 1402 - 1407 ) existing on the communication path of the existing service. Moreover, by using the device ID  601 ( 2 ) as a key, a search is made through the link managing table  900  for a communication path (communication path ID  801 ( 2 )) between the information processing devices. The search result corresponds to the communication path (the communication path on which the data transfer is being conducted) of the existing service. If communication path (communication path ID  801 =1) includes one or more communication paths of the existing service, ATlink  1 =1; and if it is not employed as the communication path of the existing service at all, ATlink  1 =0. 
         [0219]    PTnode n is power consumption for the data transfer in the information processing device (device ID  601 =n). A search is made through the table for managing information device  600  for the model  604  of the row for which the device ID  601  is n. In addition, a search is made through the information processing device power consumption managing table  1000  for the power consumption  1002  at use of the router function for the model  604 ( 3 ), to assume it as the power consumption for the data transfer. 
         [0220]    ATnode n is the data transfer allocation state in the information processing device (device ID  601 =n). Using the service ID  1201 ( 3 ) as a key, a search is made through the service communication path managing table  1400  for the device IDs ( 1402 - 1407 ) of information processing devices existing on the communication path of the existing service. Further, by use of the service ID  1201 ( 2 ) as a key, a search is made through the allocation managing table  1300  for the device IDs ( 1302 - 1307 ) of the information processing devices to which application programs are allocated for the execution of the existing service. An information processing device which exists on the communication path of the service and to which no application program is allocated is the information processing device conducting the data transfer for the existing service. If the information processing device (device ID  601 =n) is conducting the data transfer for one or more existing services, ATnode n=1; if it is not conducting the data transfer for any existing service at all, ATnode n=0. 
         [0221]    PPnode n is the power consumption for data processing in the information processing device (device ID  601 =n). A search is made through the table for managing information device  600  for the model  604  of the row for which the device ID  601  is n. In addition, a search is made through the information processing device power consumption managing table  1000  for the power consumption (overall power consumption)  1001  at use of all functions for the model  604 ( 3 ), to assume it as the power consumption for the data processing. 
         [0222]    APnode n is the allocation state of application programs in the information processing device (device ID  601 =n). By use of the service ID  1201 ( 2 ) as a key, a search is made through the allocation managing table  1300  for the device IDs ( 1302 - 1307 ) of the information processing devices to which application programs are allocated for the execution of the existing service. If one or more application programs of the existing service is or are allocated to the information processing device (device ID  601 =n), APnode n=1; if no application program of the existing service is allocated thereto, APnode n=0. 
         [0223]    The system operation step count is calculated using expression 2. The system operation is to implement system maintenance and management so that the system including the gateway node  101 , the edge node  102 , and the server device  103  exemplified in  FIG. 1  provides services without halting for a period of time equal to or more than a predetermined period of time. 
         [0224]    The system operation step count is the amount of jobs required for the system operation. It may be considered that the amount of jobs required to provide a service is proportional to the number of information processing devices for which management of application programs is required to provide the service. Therefore, the allocation set evaluating program  402  indicates the system operation step count by use of the number of information processing devices for which management of application programs is required to provide the service, that is, the number of information processing devices to which application programs are allocated to provide the service. 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   [ 
                   
                     MATH 
                     . 
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     2 
                   
                   ] 
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
             
             
               
                 
                   
                       
                   
                    
                   
                     
                       ∑ 
                       n 
                     
                      
                     
                       APnode 
                       n 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   
                     expression 
                      
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     2 
                   
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0225]    APnode n in expression 2 is similar to APnode n in expression 1. 
         [0226]    Next, the allocation, set evaluating program  402  evaluates the service at introduction thereof for each new application program allocation set. First, the allocation set evaluating program  402  selects one row (one allocation set of application programs associated with the new service) from the application program allocation set list  1800  for the new service (S 1902 ). 
         [0227]    Based on the allocation set of the row selected in (S 1902 ), the allocation set evaluating program  402  updates the allocation set managing table  1200 , the allocation managing table  1300 , and the service communication path, managing table  1400  (S 1903 ). 
         [0228]    The allocation set evaluating program  402  adds, to the allocation set managing table  1200 , the service ID  1201  and the application program allocation set ( 1202 - 1207 ) associated with the newly introduced service. The manager indicates the configuration contents of the service ID  1201 . Similarly, the allocation set evaluating program  402  adds, to the allocation managing table  1300 , the deployment ID  1301  and the device IDs ( 1302 - 1307 ) of the information processing devices allocation regarding all deployments of the newly introduced service. The manager indicates the configuration contents of the deployment ID  1301  and the device IDs ( 1302 - 1307 ). Further, the allocation set evaluating program  402  adds, to the service communication path managing table  1400 , the data input frequency  1401  and the device IDs ( 1402 - 1407 ) of the information processing devices on the communication path information associated with all deployments of the newly introduced service. The manager indicates the configuration contents of the data input frequency  1401  and the device IDs ( 1402 - 1407 ). 
         [0229]    Next, the allocation set evaluating program  402  calculates, by use of the various management tables updated in (S 1903 ), the service response time, the system power consumption, and the system operation step count at introduction of the new service (S 1904 ). 
         [0230]    The allocation set evaluating program  402  predicts the service response time for the newly introduced service. The service response time is calculated using expression 3. 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   [ 
                   
                     MATH 
                     . 
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     3 
                   
                   ] 
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
             
             
               
                 
                   
                       
                   
                    
                   
                     
                       
                         1 
                         M 
                       
                        
                       
                         
                           ∑ 
                           
                             sid 
                             = 
                             1 
                           
                           M 
                         
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             
                               ∑ 
                               sl 
                             
                              
                             
                               Dlink 
                               sl 
                             
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                     
                     + 
                     
                       
                         1 
                         M 
                       
                        
                       
                         
                           ∑ 
                           
                             sid 
                             = 
                             1 
                           
                           M 
                         
                          
                         
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                 ∑ 
                                 sn 
                               
                                
                               
                                 Dnode 
                                 sn 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                            
                           
                               
                           
                            
                           
                             ( 
                             1 
                             ) 
                           
                         
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   
                     expression 
                      
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     3 
                   
                   ) 
                 
               
             
             
               
                 
                   
                       
                   
                    
                   
                     
                       
                         Dlink 
                         sl 
                       
                       = 
                       
                         
                           
                             s 
                             
                               sl 
                               , 
                               sid 
                             
                           
                           
                             b 
                              
                             
                                 
                             
                              
                             
                               w 
                               sl 
                             
                           
                         
                         + 
                         
                           
                             delay 
                             sl 
                           
                            
                           
                               
                           
                            
                           
                             ( 
                             2 
                             ) 
                           
                         
                       
                     
                      
                     
                       
 
                     
                      
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     
                       
                         Dnode 
                         sn 
                       
                       = 
                       
                         
                           
                             1 
                             / 
                             
                               μ 
                               sn 
                             
                           
                           
                             1 
                             - 
                             
                               
                                 λ 
                                 sn 
                               
                               / 
                               
                                 μ 
                                 sn 
                               
                             
                           
                         
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           3 
                           ) 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0231]    The first term of expression 3(1) is the delay time, included in the service response time, on the communication, path at execution of the service (deployment number M). The second terns is the delay time, included in the service response time, in the information processing device. Although details will be described later, the delay time on the communication path is represented by the sum of the transmission delay time of data on the communication path and the propagation delay time on the communication path; and the delay time in the information processing device is represented by the data buffering delay time in the information processing device. 
         [0232]    In expression 3 (1), Dlink sl in the parentheses of the first term is the delay time of the communication path (communication path ID  801 =sl) for one deployment (deployment ID  1301 =sid) of the service. In the first term, the item in the first parentheses is the delay time in all communication paths for the deployment (deployment ID  1301 =sid). The first term is the mean value of the delay time in the all communication paths for the service of the deployment number M. 
         [0233]    In expression 3 (1), Dnode sn in the parentheses of the second term is the delay time of the information processing device (device ID  601 =sn) on the communication path for one deployment (deployment ID  1301  =sid) of the service. In the second term, the item in the parentheses is the delay time in all information processing devices on the communication path for the deployment (deployment ID  1301 =sid) of the service. The delay time in an information processing device includes the delay for the data transfer and the delay for the data processing. The second term is the mean value of the delay time in all information processing devices on the communication path for the service of the deployment number M. 
         [0234]    In the description of expressions 3(2) and 3(3) below, the row of (deployment ID  1301 =2-00002( 1321 )) in the allocation managing table  1300  and the row of (deployment ID  1301 ( 2 )=2-00002( 1321 ( 2 )) in the service communication path managing table  1400  are assumed to represent one deployment of the newly introduced service, and this deployment is used as an example for explanation. 
         [0235]    In expression 3(1), Dlink sl in the parentheses of the first term is calculated using expression 3(2). 
         [0236]    The first term of expression  3 ( 2 ) is the transmission delay time of data to one communication path (communication path ID  801 =sl) in one deployment (deployment ID  1301 =sid) of the service. In expression 3(2), s sl,sid of the first term is the output data amount to one communication path (communication path ID  801 =sl) in one deployment (deployment ID  1301 =sid) of the service. The communication path between the gateway node  101  (device ID  601 =G00002 ( 1322 ( 2 ))) and the edge node  102  (device ID  601 =E00010 ( 1421 ))) will be adopted as an example. The path ID  801  of this communication path can be obtained by making a search through the link managing table  900  by using, as a key, the gateway node  101  (device ID  601 =G00002 ( 1322 ( 2 ))) and the edge node  102  (device ID  601 =E00010 ( 1421 )). The output data amount to the communication path can be obtained by retrieving the output data amount of the application program (ID=A( 1302 )) allocated to the gateway node  101  (device ID  601 =G00002 ( 1322 ( 2 )) from the service attribute managing table  500  (the output data amount column 1 Mbytes ( 531 ) of the row of ID=A( 521 )). This similarly applies to the other communication paths of the pertinent deployment (deployment ID  1301 ( 2 )=2-00002( 1321 ( 2 )). 
         [0237]    In the first term of expression 3(2), bw sl is the band of the communication path (communication path ID  801 =sl). By using, as an example, the communication path between the gateway node  101  (device ID  601 =G00002 ( 1322 ( 2 ))) and the edge node  102  (device ID  601 =E00010 ( 1421 ))), the band of this communication path is obtainable by searching the path managing table  800  using the path ID  801  as a key for the band column  805 . This similarly applies to the other communication paths of the deployment (deployment ID  1301 ( 2 )=2-00002 ( 1321 ( 2 )). 
         [0238]    In the second term of expression 3(2), delay sl is the propagation delay time of the communication path (communication path ID  801 =sl). In consideration of the communication path between the gateway node  101  (device ID  601 =G00002 ( 1322 ( 2 ))) and the edge node  102  (device ID  601 =E00010 ( 1421 ))), the propagation delay time of the communication path is obtainable by searching the path managing table  800  using the path ID  801  as a key for the propagation delay time column  804 . This similarly applies to the other communication paths of the deployment (deployment ID  1301 ( 2 )=2-00002 ( 1321 ( 2 )). 
         [0239]    Expression 3(3) represents the data buffering delay time in the information 
         [0240]    processing device (device ID  601 =sn). There is employed an M/M/1 waiting line model described in “The Art of Computer Systems Performance Analysis” (written by R. Jain, John Wiley &amp; Sons, Inc., 1991, ISBN:978-0471503361) and the like. 
         [0241]    η sn is the mean input data amount per unitary time of data inputted to the information processing device (device ID  601 =sn). 
         [0242]    Description will be given by using, as an example, the edge node (device ID  601 =E00001 ( 1323 ( 2 ))) of the deployment (deployment ID  1301 ( 2 )=2-00002 ( 1321 ( 2 ))) in the service communication path managing table  1400 . The information processing device (abbreviated as the input device) to output input data to the edge node (device ID  601 =E00001 ( 1323 ( 2 ))) is obtainable by making a search through the service communication path managing table  1400  for all rows containing (device ID  601 =E00001( 1323 ( 2 ))) for the information processing devices ( 1402  column- 1407  column) on the service communication path. 
         [0243]    From the information processing devices ( 1402  column- 1407  column) on the service communication path of the searched row, there is obtained device ID  601  of an information processing device which is on the left side of (device ID  601 =E00001 ( 1323 ( 2 ))) and to which an application program is allocated. For example, one of the input devices is the gateway node  101  (device ID  601 =G00001 ( 1332 ( 2 )) in the row of (deployment ID  1301 ( 2 )=2-00001 ( 1331 ( 2 )). 
         [0244]    To determine whether or not an application program is allocated to the information processing device and what is the ID of the application program, the allocation managing table  1300  is referred to. In the example of the gateway node  101  (device ID  601 =G00001 ( 1332 ( 2 )), by use of the gateway node  101  (device ID  601 =G00001 ( 1332 )) in the row of (deployment ID  1301 =2-00001 ( 1331 ) of the allocation managing table  1300 , it is determined that the ID of the application program is A  1302 . 
         [0245]    The input data amount per unitary time of each input device is obtainable by referring to the data input frequency  1401  column of the searched row and to the output data amount column  506  and the input and output frequency ratio column  507  of the service attribute managing table  500 . In the example of the edge node (device ID  601 =G00001 ( 1323 ( 2 )), if (service ID  1201 =2) is a service managed by the service attribute managing table  500 , 20 items/sec ( 1431 )×1 Mbyte ( 531 )×1 ( 532 )=20 Mbyte/sec. Such value is summed up for all input devices to obtain the mean input data amount per unitary time of data to the edge node  102  (device ID  601 =E00001( 1323 ( 2 ))). 
         [0246]    λ sn is the data processing performance (amount of data which can be processed per unitary time) of the information processing device (device ID  601 =sn). 
         [0247]    When an application program is allocated to the information processing device (device ED  601 =sn), the data processing performance is the minimum value of the processing performance of server function  701  and the processing performance of router function  702  retrieved from the information processing device performance managing table  700  and the performance of the path to which the information processing device (device ID  601 =sn) outputs data (obtained by referring to the bandwidth column  805  of the path managing table  800 ). 
         [0248]    When no application program is allocated to the information processing device (device ID 601 =sn), the data processing performance is the value of the smaller one of the processing performance of router function  702  retrieved from the information processing device performance managing table  700  and the performance of the path to which the information processing device (device ID  601 =sn) outputs data (obtained by referring to the bandwidth column  805  of the path managing table  800 ). 
         [0249]    The calculations of the system power consumption and the system operation step count are similar to the calculation at evaluation of the existing service (S 1901 ). 
         [0250]    The allocation set evaluating program  402  confirms whether or not all rows have been selected from the application program allocation set list  1800  for the new service (S 1905 ). 
         [0251]    If ail rows have been selected, the program  402  terminates processing in this state; if there remains any row to be processed, the program  402  returns again to (S 1902 ) to evaluate the service for the application program allocation set not selected from the application allocation set list  1800 . 
         [0252]    Incidentally, if the management table is to be updated again in (S 1903 ), the contents of the application program allocation set previously inputted are deleted and then the processing is executed for an application program allocation set selected anew. 
         [0253]    Next, the allocation set selecting program  403  of the management device  104  evaluates the results calculated by the allocation set evaluating program  402 , selects candidates of appropriate allocation sets from the application program allocation set list of the newly introduced service, and presents them to the manager. The manager selects an optimal allocation set from the candidates (S 1504 ). 
         [0254]    The allocation set selecting program  403  displays, in the selection of allocation set candidates, the calculation results of the service response time, the system power consumption, and the system operation step count in graphs, to clearly present reasons for the 
         [0255]    selection of candidates to the manager Examples of graphs displayed are shown in  FIGS. 20 to 22 . 
         [0256]      FIG. 20  shows a display example of the calculation results of the service response time. In the graph  2000 , the abscissa represents the set ID  1801  of the application program allocation set list  1800 . The graph  2000  shows, for each allocation set, the calculation results of the service response time for the newly introduced service implemented in (S 1503 ). The service response time is the sum of the delay time  2001  on the communication path corresponding to the first term of expression 3(1) and the delay time  2002  in the information processing device corresponding to the second term of expression 3(1), and they are separately shown. 
         [0257]    In the system configuration of the present embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the delay time  2001  on the communication path tends to be shorter in the situation (of the communication path pattern  2 ) in which the processing is executed at a position (the network delay time is shorter) near the client device branch office  131 . For the communication path pattern  2 , the processing is distributively executed in many edge nodes  102 ; hence, the delay time  2002  in the information processing device similarly tends to be shorter. 
         [0258]    The line  2003  parallel to the abscissa of the graph indicates the minimum value 0.01 sec  541  of the service response time column  511  of the service attribute managing table  500  for the newly introduced service. It is indicated that the allocation sets meeting the service response time requirements are allocation sets with set IDs ranging from set ID=1 ( 1811 ) to set ID=4 ( 1814 ). 
         [0259]      FIG. 21  is a display example of the calculation results of the system power consumption. The abscissa of the graph  2100  is similar to that of the graph  2000 . The system power consumption is the sum of the power consumption  2102  on the communication path corresponding to the first term of expression 1 and the power consumption  2104  in information processing device corresponding to the sum of the second and third terms of expression 1, and they are separately shown. 
         [0260]    The power consumption  2102  on the communication path is the power consumption at introduction of a new service, and the power consumption  2101  when no new service is introduced is also displayed. Similarly, the power consumption  2104  in information processing device is the power consumption at introduction of a new service, and the power consumption  2103  when no new service is introduced is also displayed. 
         [0261]    In the system configuration of the present embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the power consumption  2102  on the communication path tends to be smaller in the situation (of the communication path pattern  2 ) in which the processing is executed at a position (the network delay time is shorter) near the client device branch office  131 . On the other hand, for the communication path pattern  2 , the processing is distributively executed in many edge nodes  102 ; hence, the power consumption  2104  in information processing device tends to be increased. 
         [0262]    FIG,  22  is a display example of the calculation results of the system operation step count. The abscissa of the graph  2200  is similar to those of the graphs  2000  and  2100 . The system operation step count is indicated, as already described, by the number of information processing devices to which application programs have been, allocated, and corresponds to expression 2. 
         [0263]    The system operation step count  2202  is the number of operation steps at introduction of a new service, and the system operation step count  2201  when no new service is introduced is also displayed. 
         [0264]    In the system configuration of the present embodiment shown in FIG  1 , in the situation (of the communication path pattern  2 ) in which the processing Is executed at a position (the network delay time is shorter) near the client device branch office  131 , the processing is distributively executed in many edge nodes  102 ; hence, the system operation step count  2202  tends to be increased. 
         [0265]    As above, in the system configuration of the present embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , in the situation (of the communication path pattern  2 ) in which the processing is executed at a position (the network delay time is shorter) near the client device branch office  131 , the delay time  2001  on the communication path tends to be shorter, similarly, the power consumption  2102  on the communication path also tends to be smaller. 
         [0266]    For the communication path pattern  2 , the processing is distributively executed in many edge nodes  102 ; hence, the delay time  2002  in the information processing device tends to be shorter; however, the power consumption  2104  and the system operation step count  2202  in the information processing device tend to be increased. In this situation, the allocation set selecting program  403  comprehensively evaluates these calculation results based on which one of the aspects is to be regarded as important, to thereby select one or more allocation sets, 
         [0267]    The allocation set selecting program  403  indicates, based on the service response time calculation graph  2000 , that the allocation sets meeting the service response time requirements (the service response time is smaller as compared with the line  2003 ) ranges from the allocation set with set ID  1801 =1 ( 1811 ) to the allocation set with set ID  1801 =4 ( 1814 ), Further, the program  403  selects therefrom an allocation set with, set ID  1801 =3 ( 1813 ) and an allocation set with set ID  1801 =4 ( 1814 ) which are smaller in the system power consumption and the system operation step count, and presents them as allocation set candidates to the manager. Here, a plurality of candidates are presented so that the manager selects a candidate in consideration of requirements in addition to the requirements of the service response tune, the system power consumption, and the system operation step count. 
         [0268]    The manager selects therefrom an allocation set regarded as optimal. Assume 
         [0269]    that the manager selects, for example, an allocation set indicated by set ID  1801 =3 ( 1813 ). To introduce a new service, the service introducing program  404  of the management device  104  indicates delivery, configuration, and execution of application programs to the information processing devices (the gateway node  101 , the edge node  102 , the server device  103 ) (S 1505 ). 
         [0270]    First, based on the application program allocation set selected by the manager, the service introducing program  404  updates the allocation set managing table  1200 , the allocation managing table  1300 , and the service communication path managing table  1400 . This processing is similar to the processing described for (S 1902 ). 
         [0271]    The service introducing program  404  refers to the allocation managing table  1300 , delivers an application program to an information processing device as the target of allocation, and updates the configuration file of the target information processing device. Moreover, the program  404  refers to the service communication path managing table  1400  and updates the configuration file of any information processing device which is not the target of application program allocation and which exists on the communication path of the service. Thereafter, the service introducing program  404  indicates execution of the service to each information processing device for which the configuration is implemented. 
         [0272]    The service response time monitoring program  405  of the management device  104  monitors the service response time of the new service being executed (S 1506 ). 
         [0273]    The service response time is measured by the gateway node  101  through the processing described by referring to  FIG. 3 . The management device  104  periodically obtains results of the measurement from the gateway node  101  to thereby monitor the service response time. Incidentally, to measure the service response time, each information processing device and each management device repetitiously (for example, periodically) conduct synchronization with respect to time by use of a measure such as the Network Time Protocol (NTP). 
         [0274]    When the measured result of the service response time is compared with a threshold value (S 1507 ) and if the result is more than the threshold value (not satisfying the criterion), the alternative allocation set selecting program  406  of the management device  104  presents alternative allocation sets to the manager (S 1508 ). 
         [0275]    If the manager has selected in (S 1504 ) an allocation set indicated by set II)  1801 =3 ( 1813 ) from the application program allocation set list  1800 , the alternative allocation set selecting program  406  selects, based on the results of the service response time evaluation calculation graph  2000 , the allocation sets with set ID  1801 =1 ( 1811 ) and set ID  1801 =2 ( 1812 ) which are shorter in the service response time, and presents them as the alternative allocation set candidates to the manager. Here, a plurality of candidates are presented so that the manager selects a candidate therefrom. 
         [0276]    Incidentally, since the service response time for set ID  1801 =3 differs from the original prediction and exceeds the threshold value, there are selected, by referring to  FIG. 18 , set ID  1801 =1 and set ID  1801 =2, which are shorter in the service response time than set ID  1801 =3, as the alternative allocation set candidates. Since set ID  1801 =4 presented as the first allocation set candidate is longer in the service response time than set ID  1801 =3, it is not employed as the alternative candidate. 
         [0277]    If the actual measurement result of the service response time differs from the evaluation results of the service response time first obtained in (S 1503 ) and exceeds the threshold value (not satisfying the criterion), it is likely that values in at least one of the service attribute managing table  500 , the information processing device performance managing table  700 , the path managing table  800 , the information processing device power consumption managing table  1000 , and the path power consumption managing table  1100  employed to calculate the service response time, the system power consumption, and the system operation step count in (S 1503 ) differ from actual values. The service response time of each of the allocation sets with set ID  1801 =1 ( 1811 ) and ID  1801 =2 ( 1812 ) is to be less than that of set ID  1801 =3 ( 1813 ): however, it is required, by investigating the values of the respective management tables, to return to (S 1503 ) to re-evaluate whether or not the service response time is less than the threshold value (satisfies the criterion). 
         [0278]    In this situation, before conducting the re-evaluation in (S 1503 ), the management device  104  acquires performance information and the like from the respective information processing devices to re-measure a re-evaluation relevant part of or all of the value of the input and output frequency ratio column  507  of the service attribute managing table  500 , the values of the processing performance columns ( 701 ,  702 ) of the information processing device performance managing table  700 , the values of the propagation delay time column  804  and the bandwidth column  805  of the path managing table  800 , the values of the power consumption columns ( 1001 ,  1002 ) of the information processing device power consumption managing table  1000 , and the value of the power consumption of one hop column  110  of the path power consumption managing table  1100 . Based on the measured values, the manager updates values of the respective management tables according to necessity (S 1509 ). 
         [0279]    After (S 1509 ), for the allocation sets with set ID  1801 =1 ( 1811 ) and set ID  1801 =2 ( 1812 ) presented by the alternative allocation set selecting program  406 , control returns to (S 1503 ) to again conduct the evaluation to substitute for a service beforehand introduced, according to necessity. 
         [0280]    Incidentally, in the description above, the alternative allocation set selecting program  406  presents, if the measured result of the service response time is more than the threshold value, alternative allocation sets predicted to highly reduce the service application time; however, it is also possible that the program  406  presents, if the measured result of the service response time is less than the threshold value, alternative allocation sets which are predicted to satisfy the service response time requirements and which are predicted to reduce the system power consumption and the system operation step count. 
         [0281]    As described above, in a situation in which services to process information by sequentially calling a plurality of application programs managed by the service attribute managing table  500  are introduced to the information processing devices (the gateway node  101 , the edge node  102 , the server device  103 ) geographically distributively deployed in the wide-area network (the backbone network  122  and the access network  121 ), the management device  104  in the embodying mode of the present invention prepares the allocation set list  1800  of application programs to the information processing devices; calculates the service response time, the system power consumption, and the system operation step count for each, allocation set ( 1811 - 1877 ) of the list  1800 , evaluates the results thereof (the graph  2000 , the graph  2100 , the graph  2200 ), and presents candidates for selection of allocation sets ( 1813  and  1814  in the allocation set list  1800 ) to the manager. 
         [0282]    Further, in a situation in which it is feared that after the service is introduced by use of the allocation set  1813 , the service response time  511  of the service attribute managing table  500  is not satisfied, the management device  104  presents alternative allocation sets ( 1811  and  1812  in the allocation set list  1800 ), to thereby enable re-selection. 
         [0283]    Therefore, it is possible to provide the service in the mode described above by reducing the system power consumption while satisfying the requirements as the criterion that the service is provided within the desired service response time. Moreover, it is possible to provide the service in the mode described above by reducing the service operation step count in addition to the system power consumption while satisfying the requirements as the criterion that the service is provided within the desired service response time. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0284]      101 : Gateway node,  102 : Edge node,  103 : Server device,  104 : Management device, S 1501 : Prepare and select allocation template, S 1502 : Prepare allocation set list for newly introduced service, S 1503 : Evaluate allocation set, S 1504 : Present allocation set, select allocation set, S 1505 , S 1505 ( 2 ): Deliver, configure, and execute newly introduced service, S 1506 ,  81506 ( 2 ): Measure service response time, S 1507 : Service response time&gt;Threshold value, S 1508 : Prepare alternative allocation set, S 1509 , S 1509 ( 2 ): Re-measure various performance values, update management tables.