Abstract: A network system includes a plurality of first computers, which transmit and receive data via a network and are equipped with a plurality of active and standby communication paths. A second computer is connected with the first computers via the network. Each first computer acquires path information concerning active and standby communication paths in the network and traffic of the active communication path and transmits them to the second computer. The second computer: predicts a load on each network node when the communication path is to be switched to each standby communication path; selects a first computer, whose communication path should be switched, and a standby communication path, which is a switching target, based on the prediction result; and requests the first computer to switch the communication path to the standby communication path.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes: a rotatable member configured to heat a toner image on a recording material, wherein the rotatable member includes a fluorine-containing resin material layer containing a fluorine-containing resin material at a surface thereof; a rubbing member configured to rub the rotatable member in a rubbing position; and particles, provided in the rubbing position, harder than the fluorine-containing resin material of the fluorine-containing resin material layer.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes: a rotatable member configured to heat a toner image on a recording material, wherein the rotatable member includes a parting layer at a surface thereof; a heating portion configured to heat the rotatable member; a slidable member slidable on the parting layer, wherein the slidable member includes a surface layer having a surface roughness larger than a surface roughness of the parting layer; and a moving mechanism configured to move the slidable member relative to the rotatable member, which is in a rotating state, in a direction crossing with a rotational direction of the rotatable member so that a part of exfoliated matter of the parting layer and/or the surface layer is welded on the parting layer.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes: a rotatable member configured to form a nip for heating an image on a recording material, wherein the rotatable member including a fluorine-containing resin material layer at a surface thereof; a rubbing member configured to rub the surface of the rotatable member in a rubbing position; and a supplying mechanism configured to supply fluorine-containing resin material particles to the rubbing position.

Abstract: A computer system includes an I/O switch connected to a computer and changing connections between the computer and I/O devices, and a management server for managing configuration of the I/O devices. The management server, with respect to existing I/O devices connected to the I/O switch, stores information representing logical configuration of the existing I/O devices recognized by an OS of the computer and information representing physical configuration of the existing I/O devices managed by the I/O switch in the memory, The management server, upon receipt of a notice indicating a change in the configuration of the existing I/O devices from the I/O switch, changes the physical configuration of the existing I/O devices after the change in the configuration to be matched with the logical configuration of the existing I/O devices and instructs the I/O switch to change the connections in accordance with the changed physical configuration.

Abstract: A computer system includes an I/O switch connected to a computer and changing connections between the computer and I/O devices, and a management server for managing configuration of the I/O devices. The management server, with respect to existing I/O devices connected to the I/O switch, stores information representing logical configuration of the existing I/O devices recognized by an OS of the computer and information representing physical configuration of the existing I/O devices managed by the I/O switch in the memory, The management server, upon receipt of a notice indicating a change in the configuration of the existing I/O devices from the I/O switch, changes the physical configuration of the existing I/O devices after the change in the configuration to be matched with the logical configuration of the existing I/O devices and instructs the I/O switch to change the connections in accordance with the changed physical configuration.

Abstract: A multipass printing is performed by setting the print permission ratios, predetermined for the nozzles in adjoining first and second blocks, in a way that satisfies the following conditions (i) and (ii). (i) The print permission ratio in the boundary section between the first and second blocks represents a value between the print permission ratio in the non-boundary section of the first block and that of the second block. (ii) The print permission ratios in the non-boundary sections of the first and second blocks are each set substantively constant. This arrangement allows the print permission ratio to be adjusted among nozzle blocks, thus satisfying the condition that the print permission ratio in a boundary between adjoining nozzles blocks does not change sharply and that the print permission ratio is substantively constant in each of the nozzle blocks. It is possible to suppress “interband variations”, “seam lines” and “intraband variations” coincidentally.

Abstract: A multipass printing is performed by setting the print permission ratios, predetermined for the nozzles in adjoining first and second blocks, in a way that satisfies the following conditions (i) and (ii). (i) The print permission ratio in the boundary section between the first and second blocks represents a value between the print permission ratio in the non-boundary section of the first block and that of the second block. (ii) The print permission ratios in the non-boundary sections of the first and second blocks are each set substantively constant. This arrangement allows the print permission ratio to be adjusted among nozzle blocks, thus satisfying the condition that the print permission ratio in a boundary between adjoining nozzles blocks does not change sharply and that the print permission ratio is substantively constant in each of the nozzle blocks. It is possible to suppress “interband variations”, “seam lines” and “intraband variations” coincidentally.

Abstract: Computer including at least a first and a second interface coupled to a network. The first interface holds a first address, and the second interface holds the first address and a second address. The computer transmits a packet having the first address as a source address from the first interface, and transmits a packet having the second address as a source address from the second interface. When it is determined that a state of a communication route coupled to the first interface is not normal, the computer transmits a packet having the first address as a source address from the second interface.