FR2790118A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MANAGING RESOURCES OF A COMPUTER COMMUNICATION NETWORK - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of managing the resources of a computer communication network for processing a file (F) stored on an original computer (O) connected by the computer communication network to at least one file processing device (I) comprises a step of choosing (E1-E10) a processing device (I) for a file in the communication network as a function of a group of operating criteria of the processing device. Use in particular to automatically choose a printer on a network of communication.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for managing

  resources of a computer communication network to process

A file.

  It also relates to a communication network adapted to

  implement the management method according to the invention.

  In computer communication networks, several computers and peripherals are generally connected. The term "peripherals" includes printers, scanners, fax machines, storage units as well as communication interfaces to

outside the network.

  There are generally two different techniques for connecting these devices to the network: a first technique consists in connecting each device directly to the network, the use of these devices being

  shared by all the computers of the users of the network.

  Such a technique is described in American patent US 5,559,933. However, it requires the presence of a central server which manages

  all the requests sent on the network and intended for a peripheral.

  This method is restrictive and requires among other things that the central server

is permanently accessible.

  A second technique consists in connecting a peripheral via a

  interface card to a computer, itself connected to the network.

  This second type of configuration is frequently used in local networks, such as corporate networks. Indeed, a computer owner often has a peripheral, a printer for example,

  having characteristics adapted to its needs.

  When computers on the network wish to use peripherals which are not directly connected to them, but only via another computer via the communication network,

  many operations must be carried out.

  Thus, for example, to allow the use by a computer A of a printer b connected to a computer B itself connected to the network, it will be necessary to successively load the printer driver of the printer b on the computer A, install a specific protocol on computer A such as printer sharing for MICROSOFT networks (Printer Sharing for English)

  Microsoft Network), change the properties of printer b to make it

  accessible to several users according to the needs and the degree of security chosen and possibly restart computer A. All these operations are long and difficult to perform, and

  generally not accessible to a simple user of the computer network.

  In addition, the user has access only to network devices which

  are explicitly shared as described above.

  Thus, it is currently difficult for the user to have knowledge of all the peripherals available on the communication network. Indeed, the user must explicitly search for devices physically connected to computers on the network, and this only among

  devices explicitly shared by computers on the network.

  Thus, in American patent US Pat. No. 5,692,111, the user is obliged to browse the network, computer by computer, so as to know the peripherals present on the network and to select the one which seems to him most suitable for processing the file. This method takes a long time to put

  and is not easy for a simple network user.

  The present invention aims to simplify the management of all the resources of a computer communication network, without calling on the

protocols and methods of art.

  Thus, the resource management method of a computer communication network targeted by the invention is implemented to process a file stored on an original computer connected by the communication network.

  computer communication to at least one file processing device.

  According to the invention, this management method comprises a step of choosing a file processing device for the communication network as a function of a group of operating criteria of said communication network.

processing device.

  For each file processing, a processing device is thus automatically chosen from a set of criteria, among

  all the processing devices available on the network.

  In practice, said choice step includes the following sub-steps: - selection of a subset of network processing devices according to a group of criteria; and - choice of a treatment device from the subset of

  selected treatment devices.

  This two-step choice allows preselection of the processing devices that meet the criteria and authorizes the user to

  make the final choice from the preselection.

  Preferably, during the selection step, the network is scanned and it is examined whether the processing device connected to the network satisfies said group.

  criteria to process the file.

  We can thus periodically browse the network to detect all the peripherals connected directly or through a

  computer to the communication network.

  According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, said group of criteria comprises parameters relating to the configuration capacity of the

processing device.

  It is thus possible to choose the processing device according to its possibilities of being able to be configured in such or such other way. Preferably, the value of said parameters is determined in

  depending on the content of the file to be processed.

  Thus, depending on the content of the file to be processed, we choose a device that is particularly well suited to processing the file, which can be

  configure according to the content of the file to be processed.

  According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, and possibly in combination with the preceding characteristic, said group of criteria comprises characteristics chosen in particular from the type of processing device, the capacity to process a color file, the capacity to process a file in front / back, the maximum resolution factor, the

  number of grayscale or the number of color shades.

  These criteria make it possible to take into account the physical characteristics of the treatment device and its capacity to carry out such or such treatment. According to an advantageous characteristic, said group of criteria comprises a maximum number of files awaiting processing in order to avoid that excessively long lists of documents to be processed are created for the same processing device, which would cause an excessively long wait

  to get document processing.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the management method further comprises the following steps: - installation of a driver for the chosen processing device on the original computer; configuration of said driver so that the processing of the file generates an intermediate file on the original computer; and - transfer of the intermediate file to the processing device chosen to insert the intermediate file in a list of files to be processed by

the treatment device chosen.

  Thus, a remote device is automatically installed locally on the original computer and is configured so that the processing of the file locally generates an intermediate file on the original computer. This intermediate file is then sent by the network to

chosen treatment device.

  Such a method avoids using sharing functions of

  painful peripherals to implement.

  The resource management method can be implemented on any type of local network, whatever the operating system used, or even making different operating systems coexist. Indeed, the file to be processed is transformed into an intermediate file which is sent, whether deferred or not, to a remote device that we have chosen.

to process the file.

  According to a preferred characteristic of this embodiment, the transfer step comprises the following sub-steps: - attempt to transfer the intermediate file; - test to check if the transfer is correct; reiteration in the negative, of the transfer test after a

predetermined standby time.

  The transfer step can thus be carried out in complete safety, and in particular be reiterated if the chosen treatment device is temporarily unavailable. Preferably, in order to limit the number of attempts to transfer the intermediate file, on each transfer attempt, a test counter is incremented and the step for reiterating the test is only implemented if said

  test counter is less than a threshold value.

  According to an advantageous and particularly practical characteristic, during the transfer step, the intermediate file is memorized on the original computer, so that it is only erased once the transfer

correct file is obtained.

  According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the management method comprises, before the transfer step, the following steps: comparison of the number of files to be processed from said list of the processing device with a limit value; and - choice, when said number is greater than said limit value, of another processing device connected to the communication network. In order to avoid waiting too long for the file to be processed by the chosen device, a limit value allows reactivation of the process.

  management to choose an available device from the network.

  This characteristic thus makes it possible to best manage the load on the network and to distribute the processing of files on the peripherals of the network according to this limit value of files to be processed by the same

device at some point.

  The resource management method makes it possible, in an advantageous mode of the invention, to print a file by optimally using the network resources for printing, the processing comprising

  printing said file and the processing device being a printer.

  In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the resource management method makes it possible to transfer a file by making the best use of the network resources in terms of file transfer, the processing comprising a transfer of the file over a communication network

  telephone and the processing device being a modem or a fax machine.

  According to a similar aspect of the invention, a device for managing the resources of a computer communication network is used to process a file stored on an original computer connected by the communication network.

  computer communication to at least one file processing device.

  According to the invention, this management device comprises means for choosing a file processing device for the communication network as a function of a group of operating criteria for said file.

processing device.

  This management device has advantages and advantageous characteristics similar to those described above in

  reference to the management method according to the invention.

  The present invention also relates to a computer and a device for acquiring files to be processed, comprising a management device.

according to the invention.

  It also relates to a computer communication network comprising several computers comprising a management device in accordance with the invention, possibly comprising one or more processing devices

  files connected to one or more computers.

  In practice, the processing devices are chosen from a printer, a fax machine, a modem or an electronic whiteboard.

  including or connected to a printer (in English electronic white board).

  Furthermore, the computer communication network may comprise at least two subnets connected via a modem by a telephone communication network, said subnets being for example

  Ethernet type networks connected by a public communication network.

  More generally, the present invention also relates to an information storage means, possibly partially or completely removable, readable by a computer or a microprocessor and retaining instructions of a computer program characterized in that it allows the setting

  of the resource management process as set out above.

  The preferential or advantageous characteristics and advantages of this computer, this device for acquiring a file to be processed, this network and this information storage means being identical to those of the

  process as described above, they are not recalled here.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent

  again in the description below.

  In the accompanying drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples - FIG. 1 illustrates a communication network according to a first embodiment adapted to implement the management method according to the invention; FIG. 2 illustrates a communication network according to a second embodiment suitable for implementing the management method according to the invention; - Figure 3 illustrates a computer comprising a management device according to the invention; - Figure 4 shows a flow diagram of the step of choosing the management method according to the invention; - Figure 5 shows a flow diagram of the installation and configuration steps according to an embodiment of the management method according to the invention; - Figure 6 shows a flowchart of the processing of a file from an original computer during the implementation of the management method according to one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 7 shows a flowchart of the transfer step according to a particular embodiment of the invention; and - Figure 8 shows a flowchart illustrating a preferred mode

  for carrying out the management method according to the invention.

  Referring first to Figure 1, we will describe a communication network adapted to implement the invention. This network comprises several computers 10, 11, 12 and 13 linked together by a network of the type

  particular, for example by an ethernet network.

  Peripherals of different types can be connected to these computers to carry out different types of processing of a file: for example, printers 20, 21 are connected to computers 10, 11, a modem 22 and a scanner 23 are connected to a third computer 12

  and a fax machine 24 is connected to a fourth computer.

  These peripherals or processing devices 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 are connected to computers by specific connections 2 of appropriate and usual types in computer networks: for example, serial, parallel or SCSI

  (in English Small Computer Simple Interface).

  In such a network, and as described below, a file stored on the computer 10 can thanks to the invention be printed on the printer 21

  connected to network 1 via a computer 11.

  FIG. 2 illustrates another type of network suitable for implementing the invention. It actually comprises two subnets 3, 4 of the same type

  that the network 1 described previously with reference to FIG. 1.

  A first network 3 thus comprises in this example three computers 30, 31 and 32 and a printer 33 connected to the network 3 by

Computer 30.

  The second network 4 comprises three computers 40, 41 and 42 and one

  printer 43 connected to network 4 by a computer 40.

  These two networks 3 and 4 are connected via computers 32 and 42, belonging respectively to the first network 3 and to the second network 4, each of these computers 32, 42 being connected to a modem 34, 44. These modems 34, 44 are themselves connected via a telephone communication network 5, and by way of nonlimiting example via a switch 6 which is located at the same access provider (in

  English provider), common to both networks 3, 4.

  This structure allows the two networks 3, 4 to communicate, so that a user of the first network 3 can use the elements of the second network 4 as if they physically belonged to the first network 3,

and reciprocally.

  For example, as described below, a file stored on the computer 30 of the first network 3 can thanks to the invention be printed on the printer 43 connected to the second network 4 via a

computer 40.

  We will now describe the structure of the management device which can be incorporated into one or more of the computers 10 to 13, 30 to 32 and 40 to 42 of the networks 1, 3 and 4 described above.

  This description will be made for a computer 10 with reference to the

  figure 3. The other computers 11 to 13, 30 to 32 and 40 to 42 present well

heard a similar structure.

  The management device comprises: means for choosing a file processing device for the communication network as a function of a group of criteria for

  operation of the treatment device.

  These choice means preferably comprise means for selecting a subset of network processing devices according to a group of criteria and means for choosing a processing device

  from the subset of selected treatment devices.

  These choice means are adapted for example to periodically browse the network and to examine whether the connected processing device

  the network meets a number of criteria for processing the file.

  means for installing a pilot of the processing device chosen on the original computer 10; means for configuring said driver so that the processing of the file generates an intermediate file on the original computer 10; and - means for transferring the intermediate file to the processing device chosen to insert the intermediate file in a list of

  files to be processed by the chosen processing device.

  As will be better understood in the description of the process,

  these transfer means include test means for checking whether the transfer is correct, a test counter adapted to be incremented on each transfer test and means for storing a maximum threshold value

for the test counter.

  The management device also comprises means for

  temporary storage of the intermediate file on the original computer 10.

  Preferably, it also includes means for comparing the number of files to be processed from the list of the processing device with a limit value and means for choosing, when the number is greater than this limit value, another device for treatment

  connected to the communication network.

  These means of choice, installation, configuration, transfer, storage and comparison are incorporated into a microprocessor 50 of the computer 10, a read-only memory 51 comprising a program for managing network resources, and a random access memory 52 comprising registers suitable for recording variables modified during execution

from the program.

  This microprocessor 50 is integrated into the computer 10 which can be connected to various peripherals, for example, a printer 20, a modem 22 or a fax machine 24 via an input / output card 60 in order to be able to process documents , including printing or

  transfer by modem or fax.

  This computer 10 includes a communication interface 61 connected to the communication network 1 for transferring or receiving documents via the network and receiving or transmitting information relating to the

  devices connected to different computers on the network 1.

  The computer 10 further comprises document storage means, such as a hard disk 56, or is adapted to cooperate by means of a floppy disk drive 57, a compact disc drive 58 or a reader. computer cards 59 with removable document storage means, respectively floppy disks 7, compact disks 8

  (CDROM) or computer cards 9 (PC-CARD).

  These fixed or removable storage means may also include the code of the management method according to the invention, which, once read

  by the microprocessor 50, will be stored in the hard disk 56.

  Alternatively, the program allowing the control or transfer device to implement the invention may be stored

in read-only memory 501 (ROM).

  In the second variant, the program can be received to be stored as described above via the network of

communication 1.

  The computer 10 also has a screen 53 serving for example as an interface with an operator using the keyboard 54 or the mouse 55

or any other means.

  The central unit 50 (CPU) will execute the instructions relating to the implementation of the invention. When powering up, the programs and methods relating to the invention stored in a non-volatile memory, for example read only memory 51, are transferred to random access memory 52 (RAM) which will then contain the executable code of the invention as well as the variables

  necessary for the implementation of the invention.

  The random access memory 52 thus comprises registers for storing the values of the different criteria used to choose the processing device, the value of the test counter and the maximum threshold value for limiting the number of tests, the number of files to be processed in waiting in list and limit value

  predetermined for this number of files.

  The hard disk 56 makes it possible to store the intermediate file generated by the processing of the file by the pilot of a remote processing device installed on the computer 10 A communication bus 62 allows communication between the different sub-elements of the computer 10 or related to him. The representation of the bus 62 is not limiting and in particular the microprocessor 50 is capable of communicating instructions to any sub-element directly or by

  through another sub-element.

  We will now describe the management process according to

The invention.

  We consider in the following description, according to an example of

  realization of the nonlimiting invention, that a computer on the network, called the original computer O, stores a file F, composed for example of black and white text and a color photograph, and that the user of the original computer O wishes to print this file F. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the management method firstly comprises a step of choosing a file processing device from the network of

  communication, that is to say in this example the choice of a printer.

  During this selection step, we browse the network and examine whether the printer connected to a computer on the network satisfies a

  number of criteria for printing the file.

  To browse the network, a list L of computers on the network is available on the original computer and we consider each computer of the

list L, one after the other.

  An initialization step E1 makes it possible to initialize the list IMP of printers selected on the network so that this list IMP is

  empty at the start of the selection process.

  An E2 test step first allows you to consider the computer

  original O and check if it has at least one local printer.

  If so, the M best local printers in

  computer O is added to the IMP list.

  For this, we check, for each printer, if it satisfies a

  predetermined group of criteria.

  This group of criteria can include parameters relating to the

  printer configuration capability.

  The value of these parameters of the criteria group is determined

  preferably depending on the content of the file to be processed.

  We can thus, from the analysis of the file itself or from a temporary file containing the graphic commands, such as the EMF file (in English Enhanced MetaFile) under Windows, determine the configuration best suited to print the file from configurations in text mode, in

graphic mode or image mode.

  The user can also choose a print in draft mode. In addition, the group of criteria can also include

  characteristics depending on the physical characteristics of the printer.

  Non-limiting examples that may be mentioned include: the type of printer (inkjet or laser); - its ability to process a color file and the number of color shades available; - the number of gray levels available; - its ability to print a file on both sides; or its maximum resolution factor expressed in number of points

  per inch (in English dots per inch or DPI).

  The criteria group can also include a maximum number of files waiting for processing by the printer in order to avoid

  choose a printer that already has a large number of jobs waiting.

  In practical terms, for each printer on the network, the following function is calculated: N Z.wi X Pi

Q N

  where pi corresponds to criterion i of a group of N criteria and w; to the

desirability of criterion i.

  Thus, pivots 1 if criterion i is supplied by the printer and 0 otherwise.

  The optional weights wi are associated by the user with the criteria so that for example w, is worth 2 if the criterion i must be obligatorily provided by the printer, 1 if it is preferable that this criterion i is satisfied and 0, 25

if it is of less importance.

  In step E3, one thus selects among the local printers of the original computer O, those which have the highest Q function or

  conveniently, greater than a minimum threshold value.

  A test step E4 then makes it possible to check whether the search for printers on the network is authorized. If so, we check in a step E5 that the list L of computers on the network is not exhausted and we consider in step E6 the next computer C in the list L. A test in step E7 allows to check if this computer following C

has a local printer.

  If so, we add in a selection step E8, the M best printers of the computer following C in the list IMP.

  We proceed as in the selection step E3, by calculating for each printer the function Q and by selecting the printers for

  which function Q is the highest.

  After this selection step E8, or if the following computer C does not have a local printer, it is verified in a test step E9 that the search

  on the network is not too long.

  In practice, we can compare the time elapsed since the launch of printing by the user with a maximum duration of

predetermined search.

  If this search is not too long, steps E5 to E9 are repeated for the next computer in the list L. If the search is too long or the list of computers on the network L is exhausted, the selection step printers in the IMP list is finished, and a choice step EH0 proper is implemented to choose the best printer in this IMP list, either manually, the final choice coming back to the user, or automatically by choosing

  the printer with the highest Q function.

  The file is then printed in a step E 11 on the chosen printer. In practice, and as illustrated next in FIG. 5, the management method then comprises, after a test step E12 to verify if the printer I chosen is not already installed on the original computer O, a step installation E13 of the printer driver I on the original computer O and a configuration step E14 of this driver so that it prints to a file. During the configuration step E14 of the driver, the configuration parameters of the latter can possibly be modified to apply to the printer the configuration which has been determined as described

  previously by analyzing the contents of the file.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, in order to process the file F from the original computer O, the file F is printed in the printing step E 11 on the printer driver I installed on the computer origin O. This printing has the effect of creating a print file Fi which is temporarily stored on the original computer O. A transfer step E15 is then implemented to transfer the intermediate file F, to a computer P physically connected to the chosen printer I. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 7, this transfer step E13 firstly comprises an initialization step

  E17 of the value N of a test counter at zero.

  The value N of the counter represents the number of times that an attempt was made to transfer the intermediate file F, from the original computer O to the second computer P. A test step E18 makes it possible to compare the current value N of the counter tests at a prefixed MAX threshold value, equal for example to 3 or 4. If the value N is less than the MAX threshold value, a certain latency time S is provided during a waiting step E19 before

repeat a transfer attempt.

  Knowing the speed of the printer I in number of pages printed per minute and the number of pages of the file to be printed, we can estimate the printing time of the file and fix this latency time S according to the estimated printing time . The wait can be equal for example to

% of estimated printing time.

  Then, an incrementation step E20 is implemented to increment the value N of the counter by one. It is then checked in a step E21 if the computer P

recipient is on.

  If not, steps E18 to E21 are repeated if the value N

  of the counter is always less than the MAX threshold value.

  If the computer P is on, the file is transferred to the actual transfer step E24 and it is checked in the test step E25 if the transfer has

been performed correctly.

  If so, a deletion step E26 makes it possible to erase the intermediate file Fi temporarily stored on the original computer O. Otherwise, the steps E18 to E25 are repeated to try to transfer the intermediate file Fi again to the computer P. If at the test step E18, the value N of the test counter is greater than the threshold value MAX, the user is warned, in a step E22

  message display, that printing cannot be done.

  An interrogation step E23 makes it possible to ask the user whether he wishes to try again to print the file F or not. If so, all of the steps of the transfer E17 to E26

are reiterated.

  When the intermediate file F, is received by the computer P, it is inserted, during an insertion step E16 (see FIG. 6), in a list of files to be printed by the chosen printer I. Furthermore, and as illustrated in FIG. 8, preferably the original computer O contacts the chosen computer P in a step E27 to find out the number of jobs T waiting in the list of files to be printed by the printer I. A comparison step E28 of the number of files to be processed T

  of this list with a LIM limit value is implemented.

  If this number T is less than the limit value LIM, for example equal to 2, printing continues normally as described previously with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Otherwise, when this number of jobs T is greater than the limit value LIM , a choice step E29 is implemented to choose another

  printer connected to the communication network.

  A display step E30 warns the user that printing is

will do on another printer.

  The choice step E29 of the new printer is implemented in the same way as the choice step E10 previously described with reference to FIG. 4, by choosing from the list IMP of the selected printers another printer, possibly having a function Q

lower.

  The management method according to the invention thus makes it possible, in a completely transparent manner for the user, to choose the printer of a

  network best suited for printing a given document.

  Of course, numerous modifications can be made to the embodiment described above without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the processing may include a transfer of the file over a telephone communication network, the processing device to be chosen and configured locally on the original computer O being a modem or

a fax machine.

Claims (30)

  1. Method for managing the resources of a computer communication network (1, 3, 4) for processing a file (F) stored on an original computer (O) connected by the computer communication network (1, 3, 4) to at least one file processing device (I), characterized in that it comprises a step of choosing (El - E10) a file processing device (I) from the communication network as a function of a group of criteria of   operation of said processing device.   2. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that said choice step comprises the following sub-steps: - selection (E1-E9) of a subset (IMP) of processing devices (I) of the network based on a group of criteria; and - choice (E10) of a processing device from the subset   (IMP) of selected treatment devices.   3. Management method according to claim 2, characterized in that in the selection step (E1-E9), the network (1, 3, 4) is traversed and it is examined whether the processing device (I) connected to the network (1, 3, 4) satisfied   audit group of criteria for processing the file (F).   4. Management method according to one of claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that said group of criteria comprises relative parameters   to the configuration capacity of the processing device.   5. Management method according to claim 4, characterized in that the value of said parameters is determined according to the content of the file (F) to be processed.   6. Management method according to one of claims 1 to 5,   characterized in that said group of criteria comprises characteristics chosen in particular from the type of processing device, the capacity to process a file in color, the capacity to process a file in front / back, the maximum resolution factor, the number of grayscale or the number of shades of colors.   7. Management method according to one of claims 1 to 6,   characterized in that said group of criteria comprises a maximum number of files waiting to be processed.   8. Management method according to one of claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that it further comprises the following steps: installation (E13) of a driver of the chosen processing device (I) on the original computer (O); - configuration (E14) of said driver so that the processing of the file (F) generates an intermediate file (Fi) on the original computer (O); and - transfer (E15) of the intermediate file (F,) to the chosen processing device (I) to insert the intermediate file (F,) in a list of   files to be processed by the chosen processing device (I).   9. Management method according to claim 8, characterized in that the transfer step (E15) comprises the following sub-steps: - test (E24) of transfer of the intermediate file (F); - test (E25) to check if the transfer is correct; - reiteration (E24) in the negative, of the transfer test after   a predetermined latency time (S).   10. Management method according to claim 9, characterized in that at each transfer test (E24), a test counter (N) is incremented and in that the reiteration step (E24) of l test is not implemented   works only if said test counter (N) is less than a threshold value (MAX).   11. Management method according to one of claims 8 to   , characterized in that during the transfer step (E15), said file   intermediate (Fi) is stored on the original computer (O).   12. Management method according to one of claims 8 to   11, characterized in that it comprises, before the transfer step (E15), the following steps: - comparison (E27) of the number (T) of files to be processed from said list of the processing device (I) with a limit value (LIM); and - choice (E29), when said number (T) is greater than said limit value (LIM), of another processing device connected to the communication (1, 3, 4).   13. Management method according to one of claims 1 to   12, characterized in that said processing includes printing of said file   (F), the processing device being a printer.   14. Management method according to one of claims 1 to   12, characterized in that said processing comprises a transfer of the file (F) over a telephone communication network, the processing device being a modem or fax machine.   15. Device for managing the resources of a computer communication network (1, 3, 4) for processing a file (F) stored on an original computer (O) connected by the computer communication network (1, 3, 4) at least one file processing device (I), characterized in that it comprises means for choosing (50, 51, 52) a file processing device from the communication network as a function of criteria group of   operation of said processing device (I).   16. Management device according to claim 15, characterized in that the choice means (50, 51, 52) comprise means for selecting a subset (IMP) of network processing devices as a function of a group of criteria and means for choosing a treatment device (I) from the subset (IMP) of selected treatment devices. 17. Management device according to claim 16, characterized in that the selection means (50, 51, 52) are adapted to browse the network (1, 3, 4) and to examine whether the processing device (I) connected to the network (1, 3, 4) satisfies said group of criteria for processing the file (F).   18. Management device according to one of claims 15 to   17, characterized in that it further comprises: - means for installing (50, 51, 52) a pilot of the chosen processing device (I) on the original computer (O); - configuration means (50, 51, 52) of said driver so that the processing of the file (F) generates an intermediate file (F,) on the original computer (O) and - transfer means (50, 51, 52) from the intermediate file (F,) to the chosen processing device (I) to insert the intermediate file (Fi)   in a list of files to be processed by the chosen processing device (I).   19. Management device according to claim 18, characterized in that the transfer means (50, 51, 52) include   test means to check if the transfer is correct.   20. Management device according to one of claims 18   or 19, characterized in that the transfer means (50, 51, 52) comprise a test counter adapted to be incremented at each transfer test and means for memorizing a maximum threshold value (MAX) for the test counter.   21. Management device according to one of claims 18 to   , characterized in that it includes temporary storage means   (56) from the intermediate file (F,) on the original computer (O).   22. Management device according to one of claims 15 to   21, characterized in that it includes means for comparing (50, 51, 52) the number (T) of files to be processed by the chosen processing device with a limit value (LIM) and selection means (50, 51, 52), when said number (T) is greater than said limit value (LIM), by another   processing linked to the communication network.   23. Management device according to one of claims 15 to   22, characterized in that said processing includes printing of said file   (F), the processing device being a printer (I).   24. Management device according to one of claims 15 to   22, characterized in that said processing comprises a transfer of the file (F) over a telephone communication network, the processing device being a modem or fax machine.   25. Management device according to one of claims 15 to   24, characterized in that it is incorporated in a microprocessor (50), a read-only memory (51) comprising a program for managing the resources of a communication network, and a random access memory (52) comprising registers suitable for recording variables modified during the execution of said program. 26. Computer, characterized in that it comprises a device for   management according to one of claims 15 to 25.   27. Device for acquiring files to be processed, characterized in   that it comprises a management device in accordance with one of claims 15 to   25. 28. Computer communication network (1, 3, 4), characterized in that it comprises several computers (10-13, 30-32, 40-42) comprising a   management device according to one of claims 15 to 25.   29. Computer communication network according to claim 28, characterized in that it comprises one or more file processing device (20-24, 33, 43) connected to one or more computers (10-13, 30-32, 40-42).   30. Computer communication network according to claim 29, characterized in that the processing devices are chosen from a printer (20, 21, 33, 43), a fax machine (24), a modem (22) or a scanner (23).   31. Computer communication network conforming to one of the   claims 28 to 30, characterized in that it comprises at least two sub-   networks (3, 4) connected via a modem (34, 44) by a communication network telephone (5).   32. Computer communication network according to claim 31, characterized in that said subnets (3, 4) are   Ethernet type networks connected by a public communication network (5).