JP2002198968A - Network device management apparatus, network system, network device management method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide a network device management device, a network system, and a network device capable of automatically returning a network device to a setting before disconnection when a network device disconnected from the network is reconnected to the network. A management method and a storage medium are provided. A CPU 501 of a PC 500 detects network devices operating on a network and acquires network device information based on a network device management program. When the network device is disconnected from the network, the acquired network device The information is stored together with the identification information of the network device, and when the network device is connected to the network again, the stored network device information is set for the network device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a network device management apparatus, a network system, a network device management method, and a storage medium, and more particularly to a network device management apparatus and a network system suitable for controlling setting of devices on a network. And a network device management method and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of computers are installed and used in companies and the like.
They can be interconnected by a LAN (local area network). LANs can be interconnected for incorporation into larger systems, spanning a building floor or an entire building, a group of buildings (premises), an area, or even a larger area, up to a global system. Each LAN may have a variety of hardware interconnect technologies and several network protocols.

[0003] A simple LAN separated from the others can be managed by individual users. That is, the user can replace a device, install software, or diagnose a problem.

On the other hand, large and complex LANs and large interconnected LAN groups require "management". "Management" means management by both a human network administrator and the software used by that administrator. In the present application, "management" means management by software for managing the entire system, and "user" means a person who uses network device management software. This user is typically the system administrator. By using the network device management software, the user can obtain management data on the network and change this data.

[0005] Large-scale network systems are usually dynamic systems that require constant addition and removal of equipment, software updates, and problem detection. Generally, there will be different systems owned by different people and supplied by different vendors. Hereinafter, an example of a large-scale network that requires management will be described for convenience with reference to FIG. 1 used in an embodiment of the present invention described later.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a case where an NB (network board) 101 for connecting a printer to a network is connected to a printer 102 having an open architecture. NB101 is, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark) having a coaxial connector (Xerox, USA).
Bus architecture LA jointly developed by DEC and Intel
N) Interface 10Base-2 (Etherne
The cable is connected to the LAN 100 via a LAN interface such as 10Base-T having RJ-45 (8-pin modular jack) or an RJ-45 (modular jack of 8 pins).

[0007] A plurality of PCs such as a personal computer (PC) 103 and a PC 104 are also connected to the LAN 100, and these PCs can communicate with the NB 101 under the control of a network operating system. One of the PCs, for example, the PC 103 can be designated to be used as the network management unit.
A printer such as the printer 105 connected to the PC 104 may be connected to the PC.

Further, the file server 10 is connected to the LAN 100.
6, which manages access to files stored on a large-capacity (for example, 10 billion bytes) network disk 107. Print server 108
Causes a printer such as the connected printers 109a and 109b or the printer 105 at a remote location to perform printing. Further, other peripheral devices (not shown) are connected to the LAN 100.
May be connected.

More specifically, the network shown in FIG. 1 can use network software such as Novell or UNIX (registered trademark) software in order to efficiently communicate between various network members. Any network software can be used, for example, Novell's NetW
are (trademark of Novell, hereinafter abbreviated) software can be used. A detailed description of this software package can be found in the online documentation included with the NetWare package. This is NetWar from Novell
It can be purchased with the e-package.

[0010] Briefly, the file server 106
Functions as a file management unit that receives, stores, queues, caches, and transmits data files between LAN members. For example, PC10
3 and the PC 104 are sent to the file server 106. The file server 106 arranges these data files in order, and in accordance with a command from the print server 108, sends the arranged data files to the printer 109a. Send.

Each of the PC 103 and the PC 104 generates a data file and stores the LA of the generated data file.
It comprises a normal PC capable of transmitting to the N100, receiving a file from the LAN 100, and displaying and / or processing such a file.
FIG. 1 shows a personal computer device.
Other computer equipment may be included as appropriate to execute the network software. For example,
If you are using UNIX software,
X workstations may be included in the network,
These workstations can be used with the illustrated PC under appropriate circumstances.

Typically, a LAN such as LAN 100 provides services to a somewhat local user group, such as a user group on one floor or multiple consecutive floors in a building. For example, as a user moves away from another user, such as when the user is in another building or another prefecture, W
An AN (Wide Area Network) may be created. W
An AN is basically an aggregation formed by connecting several LANs with a high-speed digital line such as an ISDN (High Speed Integrated Services Digital Network) telephone line.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
, LAN110 and LAN120 are MODEM
(Modulation / demodulation) / router 130 and backbone 140
To form a WAN. These connections are simple electrical connections with several buses. Each LAN includes a dedicated PC and, although not necessarily, usually includes a file server and a print server.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Are the PC 111, the PC 112, and the file server 11
3, a network disk 114, a print server 115, a printer 116 and a printer 117. In contrast, the LAN 120 includes the PC 121 and the PC 12
Including only 2. LAN 100, LAN 110, LA
The device connected to the N120 can access the function of the device of another LAN via the WAN connection.

As a method for managing devices on a network constituting a large-scale network system as described above, several attempts have been made by many standard organizations so far. ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
Provided a general-purpose reference framework called (open system interconnection) model. The OSI model of the network management protocol is called CMIP (Common Management Information Protocol). CMIP is a common European network management protocol.

In the United States, as a more common network management protocol, there is a variant of the CMIP-related protocol called SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). For SNMP, see “TC
Introduction to P / IP Network Management Aiming for Practical Management "(MT Rose, translated by Takeshi Nishida, published by Toppan Co., Ltd.), August 20, 1992, first edition.

According to the SNMP network management technology,
The network management system includes at least one network management station, several managed nodes, each including an agent, and a network management protocol used by the network management stations and agents to exchange management information. The user can acquire data on the network and change the data by communicating with the agent software on the managed node using the network device management software on the network management station.

An agent is software that runs as a background process for each target device. When a user requests management data from a device on the network, the management software sends the object identification information in a management packet or frame to the target agent. The agent interprets the object identification information, retrieves data corresponding to the object identification information, puts the data in a packet, and sends it back to the user. Occasionally, a corresponding process is called to retrieve the data.

The agent holds data on its own state in the form of a database. This database is called MIB (Management Information Base). FIG.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of an MIB. As shown in FIG. 4, the MIB has a tree-structured data structure, and all nodes are uniquely numbered. In FIG. 4, the number written in parentheses is the identifier of the node.

For example, in FIG. 4, the identifier of the node N401 is "1". The identifier of the node N402 is
Since it is “3” below the node N401, it is described as “1.3”. Similarly, the identifier of the node N403 is
It is described as “1.3.6.1.2”. This node identifier is called an object identifier.

The structure of this MIB is called SMI (Management Information Structure) and is described in RFC 1155 “Structure and Identi
fication of Management Information for TCP / IP-base
d Internets. FIG. 4 shows only a part of the MIB defined as a standard.

The node N404 is a node which is a vertex of a group of objects called a standard MIB provided as standard in a device managed by SNMP, and a detailed structure of an object under this node is described in RFC121.
3 "Management InformationBase for Network Managem
ent of TCP / IP-based Internets: MIB-II. The node N405 is a node which is a vertex of an object group called a printer MIB provided as a standard feature of a printer managed by SNMP, and a detailed structure of an object under this node is described in RFC17.
59 "PrinterMIB".

Further, the node N 406 has a private M
It is called an IB and is a top node for companies and organizations to define their own MIB. Node N407 is
This node is called a company extension MIB and is a top node for a company to perform its own extension in the private MIB.
A company number 1602 is assigned to Canon Inc. as a company number in order to perform a unique definition, and a top node N408 for defining a Canon MIB (Canon MIB), which is a unique MIB of Canon, is a node representing a company. Is located below the node N407. Canon m
The object identifier of the vertex node of the IB is “1.3.
6.1.4.1.1602 ".

As an example of mounting an agent, it is conceivable to mount the agent on a network board for connecting a printer to a network. Thus, the printer can be managed by the network device management software. The user can obtain the information of the printer to be controlled using the network device management software and change the status. More specifically, for example, a character string displayed on a liquid crystal display of a printer can be obtained, or a default paper cassette can be changed.

Hereinafter, an example in which an NB (network board) on which an agent is mounted is connected to a printer will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, preferably, the NB 101
Built in an internal expansion I / O slot of the printer 102, the NB 101 is an "embedded" network node with the processing and data storage functions described below.

The configuration of the NB 101 provides an advantage of having a characteristic auxiliary function for controlling and managing a large multi-area WAN network. These auxiliary functions include, for example, printer control and status monitoring from a remote location on the network (such as a network administrator's office) and a guaranteed initial environment for the next user after each print job. Includes printer logs or usage statistics that can be accessed over the network to automatically manage printer configuration and characterize printer load or schedule toner cartridge replacement.

An important factor in the NB design is that the NB 10 is connected via a bidirectional interface such as the shared memory 200.
This is a function for accessing the printer control status from the printer 1. In addition to the shared memory, an interface such as a SCSI interface can be used. As a result, the printer operation information can be sent to the NB 101 or the external network node so that many useful auxiliary function programs can be created. The block of print image data and control information is stored in the microprocessor 30 on the NB 101.
1 is described in the shared memory 200 and read by the printer 102. Similarly,
The printer status information is transmitted from the printer 102 to the shared memory 2.
00 and from there the microprocessor 3 on the NB
01 is read.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a state in which the NB 101 is installed in the printer 102.
As shown in FIG. 2, the NB 101 is composed of a printed circuit board 101 a on which a face plate 101 b for network connection is installed, and is connected to a printer interface card 150 via a connector 170. Printer interface card 150 directly controls the printer engine of printer 102.

The print data and the printer status command are:
The NB 101 is input to the printer interface card 150 via the connector 170, and the printer status information is also obtained from the printer interface card 150 via the connector 170. The NB 101 communicates this information on the LAN 100 via the network connector of the face plate 101b. At the same time, the printer 102 can receive print data from the conventional serial port 102a and parallel port 102b.

FIG. 3 shows the NB 101, printer 102 and L
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection with an AN 100. N
B101 is directly connected to the LAN 100 via a LAN interface and to the printer 102 via a printer interface card 150.
On the NB 101, a microprocessor 301 for controlling the NB 101, a ROM 303 for storing an operation program of the microprocessor 301, a RAM 302 for the microprocessor 301 to use as a work when executing the program, A shared memory 200 for exchanging data with the printer interface card 150 is provided, and is connected to each other through an internal bus.

A program for operating the NB 101 as an SNMP agent is stored in the ROM 303. The microprocessor 301 has a ROM 303
Operates according to the program stored in the RAM 302 and uses the RAM 302 as a work area. Further, the shared memory 200 is used as a buffer area for mutually communicating with the printer interface card 150.

The microprocessor 151 on the printer interface card 150 accesses data with the NB 101 by using the shared memory 2 installed in the NB 101.
Via 00. Printer interface card 15
The microprocessor 151 on 0 also communicates with the printer engine 160 that actually runs the printing mechanism.

On the other hand, the PC on which the network device management software operates will be described for convenience with reference to FIG. 5 used in an embodiment of the present invention described later. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a PC on which network device management software can operate.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 500 denotes a PC on which network device management software operates, which is equivalent to 103 in FIG. The PC 500 has a ROM 50
2 or a CPU 501 for executing a network management program stored in an HD (hard disk) 511 or supplied from an FD (floppy (registered trademark) disk drive) 512. Overall control.
Reference numeral 503 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 501.

Reference numeral 505 denotes a KBC (keyboard controller) which controls an instruction input from a KB (keyboard) 509 or a pointing device (not shown). 50
Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRTC (CRT controller).
(CRT display) 510 is controlled. 50
Reference numeral 7 denotes a DKC (disk controller), which controls access to the HD 511 and the FD 512 that store a boot program, various applications, edit files, user files, a network management program, and the like. Reference numeral 508 denotes an NIC (network interface card) which bidirectionally exchanges data with an agent or a network device via the LAN 100.

Next, regarding the configuration of the network device management software and the conventional general functions, for convenience,
This will be described with reference to FIG. 6 used in an embodiment of the present invention described later.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a device list module which displays devices connected to the network in a list. Reference numeral 602 denotes a general control module, which controls other modules based on an instruction from a device list. Reference numeral 603 denotes a module called a configurator, which performs a special process related to the network setting of the agent. A search module 604 is a module for searching for a device connected to the network. Devices searched by the search module 604 are displayed as a list in the device list 601.

Reference numeral 605 denotes the status of the print job as Net.
This is a NetWare job module acquired from the network server using the Wire API 616.
In addition, about NetWare API, for example, Nov
"NetWare Programmer's G" issued by
uide for C ". This book is available for purchase from Novell. Reference numerals 606 and 607 denote UI modules for displaying a device detail window to be described later. A UI module exists for each target model for displaying detailed information.

Reference numerals 608 and 609 are called control modules, which are responsible for control specific to the target model from which detailed information is to be obtained. Like the UI module, a control module exists for each target model for displaying detailed information.
Control A module 608 and control B module 609
Acquires MIB data from the device to be managed using the MIB module 610, converts the data as necessary, and passes the data to the corresponding UI A module 606 or UI B module 607, respectively.

The MIB module 610 is a module that converts between an object identifier and an object key. Here, the object key is a 32-bit integer corresponding to the object identifier on a one-to-one basis. The object identifier is a variable-length identifier, which is cumbersome to implement in network device management software. Therefore, in the network device management software according to the present application, a fixed-length identifier that corresponds one-to-one with an object identifier is internally stored. Used. MI
Modules higher than the B module 610 handle MIB information using this object key. This allows
Easier implementation of network device management software.

Reference numeral 611 denotes an SNMP module.
It transmits and receives NMP packets. A common transport module 612 is a module that absorbs a difference between lower protocols for transporting SNMP data. In practice, depending on the protocol selected by the user during operation, the IPX handler 613 or the UDP handler 61
4 has a role of transferring data. UD
The P handler uses WinSock 617 as an implementation. For WinSock, for example, "Windows
Socket API v1.1 ”. This document is available from multiple sources, including the Microsoft compiler "Microsoft Vi
sual C / C ++ ".

The current protocol 615 used by the configurator 603 indicates either the IPX protocol or the UDP protocol selected by the user during operation. For example, in FIG. 1, the network device management software
Operating on C103, 104 and LA through NB101
Search for a network device connected to N100,
Generally, necessary information (for example, an IP address and a device name) is obtained from the detected network device.

However, it is general to acquire necessary information from the detected network device as described above. However, in the prior art, the control related to the setting of the network device using the information acquired from the network device is performed. (Control in the present invention described later) is not realized. Also, normal network device management software can detect detected network devices,
Generally, an IP address of a network device that has not been detected (initial setting has not been performed) can be set (configurator).

[0044]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional network device management software, the network device connected to the network is
If you disconnect from the network for maintenance or lending, reconnect the network device to the network again, and then manually restore the settings changed for maintenance and the settings changed at the lending destination. There was a problem that had to be.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and even when a network device is temporarily disconnected from the network for maintenance or lending, when the disconnected network device is connected to the network again, the network A first object is to provide a network device management apparatus, a network system, a network device management method, and a storage medium that can automatically return device settings to settings before disconnection.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when a network device to be disconnected from a network is not a temporary disconnection but a permanent disconnection, it is a wasteful device as in the related art. A second object of the present invention is to provide a network device management apparatus, a network system, a network device management method, and a storage medium that can prevent the capacity of a storage medium such as a hard disk from being pressed by storing information. I do.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when a network device temporarily disconnected from the network is reconnected to the network, the user returns the previous information to the network device. It is a third object to provide a network device management apparatus, a network system, a network device management method, and a storage medium, which can select whether or not the network device is to be used.

[0048]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network device management apparatus for managing network devices on a network, wherein a network device connected to the network is connected to the network. And a control unit for performing a control to return the settings of the network device to the settings before the disconnection when the connection to the network is established again after the disconnection.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network device management apparatus for managing a network device on a network, comprising: a detecting unit for detecting a network device operating on the network; Information acquisition means for acquiring information on the network device detected by the detection means,
An information storage unit configured to store the acquired network device information together with the identification information of the network device when the detection unit detects that the network device is disconnected from the network; and Information setting means for setting the stored network device information for the network device when it is detected that the network device has been reconnected to the network.

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 3 further comprises the step of, when the detecting means detects that the network device is disconnected from the network, the acquired network device information is transmitted to the network. An information storage confirmation unit for confirming whether to store the identification information together with the device identification information is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 4 further includes the step of, when the detecting means detects that the network device is connected to the network again, the stored network device information is stored in the storage device. It is characterized by having information setting confirmation means for confirming whether or not to set for a network device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the network device is a combination of a network board connected to the network and an image forming apparatus such as a printer equipped with the network board. It is characterized by being.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the network device information includes an address necessary for communication with the network device,
It is information such as a network device name and a product name, and the identification information of the network device is information such as an address of the network board constituting the network device and a product number of the network device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the network is a network such as a local area network, a wide area network or the like.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 8 is a network system comprising: a network device connectable to a network; and a network device management apparatus for managing the network device on the network. Control for performing a control for returning a setting of the network device to the setting before the disconnection when the network management device is connected to the network again after the network device connected to the network is disconnected from the network. It is characterized by having means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network system comprising: a network device connectable to a network; and a network device management apparatus for managing the network device on the network. A network management device, detecting means for detecting a network device operating on the network, information obtaining means for obtaining information on the network device detected by the detecting means, and An information storage unit for storing the acquired network device information together with identification information of the network device when detecting disconnection from the network; and When it is detected that the connected again, and having a data setting means for setting the saved network device information to the network device.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, when the network management device further detects that the network device has been disconnected from the network by the detecting means, the network management device obtains the acquired information. An information storage confirmation unit for confirming whether to store the network device information together with the identification information of the network device is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 11, wherein the network management device further stores the network device when the detecting means detects that the network device is connected to the network again. Information setting confirmation means for confirming whether or not the set network device information is set for the network device.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the network device is a combination of a network board connected to the network and an image forming apparatus such as a printer to which the network board is mounted. It is characterized by being.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 13 is characterized in that the network device information is information such as an address, a network device name, and a product name necessary for communicating with the network device.
The identification information of the network device is information such as an address of the network board constituting the network device and a product number of the network device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 14 is characterized in that the network is a network such as a local area network or a wide area network.

[0062] In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 15 provides a network device management method for managing network devices on a network,
When the network device connected to the network is disconnected from the network and then connected to the network again, the setting of the network device is restored to the setting before the disconnection.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 16 is a network device management method for managing network devices on a network, comprising:
Detecting a network device operating on the network, acquiring information of the detected network device, and detecting that the network device is disconnected from the network, the acquired network device information The network device is stored together with the identification information of the network device, and when it is detected that the network device is connected to the network again, the stored network device information is set for the network device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 17 further includes the step of, when detecting that the network device is disconnected from the network, changing the acquired network device information to the identification information of the network device. It is characterized by confirming whether or not to save with.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 18 further includes the step of transmitting the stored network device information to the network device when detecting that the network device is connected to the network again. It is characterized by confirming whether to set.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 19 is the invention in which the network device is a combination of a network board connected to the network and an image forming apparatus such as a printer equipped with the network board. It is characterized by being.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, the network device information is information such as an address, a network device name, and a product name necessary for communicating with the network device.
The identification information of the network device is information such as an address of the network board constituting the network device and a product number of the network device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 21 is characterized in that the network is a network such as a local area network or a wide area network.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 22 is readable by a computer storing a program for executing a network device management method applied to a network device management apparatus for managing network devices on a network. In the storage medium, when the network device connected to the network is disconnected from the network and then connected to the network again, the network device management method changes the setting of the network device to the setting before the disconnection. It is characterized by having a control step of performing control for returning.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 23 is readable by a computer storing a program for executing a network device management method applied to a network device management apparatus for managing network devices on a network. In the storage medium, the network device management method includes a detecting step of detecting a network device operating on the network; an information obtaining step of obtaining information of the network device detected in the detecting step; An information storage step of storing the obtained network device information together with the identification information of the network device when detecting that the network device has been disconnected from the network at If the network device detecting step detects that it has been reconnected to the network, and having an information setting step of setting the saved network device information to the network device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 24, further comprising the step of, when the detecting step detects that the network device is disconnected from the network, transmitting the acquired network device information to the network. An information storage confirmation step of confirming whether to store the identification information together with the device identification information is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 25 further comprises the step of, when the detecting step detects that the network device is reconnected to the network, stores the stored network device information into the network device. An information setting confirmation step for confirming whether or not the setting is performed for the network device is provided.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the network device is a combination of a network board connected to the network and an image forming apparatus such as a printer to which the network board is mounted. It is characterized by being.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 27, wherein the network device information is information such as an address, a network device name, and a product name necessary for communicating with the network device.
The identification information of the network device is information such as an address of the network board constituting the network device and a product number of the network device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 28 is characterized in that the network is a network such as a local area network or a wide area network.

[0076]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing embodiments of the present invention, an outline of the present invention will be described. The present invention
When the network device temporarily disconnected from the network for maintenance or lending is reconnected to the network, the setting of the network device is automatically returned to the setting at the time of the previous connection. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a large-scale network system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and showing a case where a network board for connecting a printer to a network is connected to a printer having an open architecture. It is. A large-scale network system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a LAN 100, an NB 101,
A printed circuit board 101a, a face plate 101b,
Printer 102 having an open architecture, serial port 102a, parallel port 102b, PC 10
3, PC 104, printer 105, file server 10
6, network disk 107, print server 10
8, printer 109a, printer 109b, LAN11
0, PC 111, PC 112, file server 113,
Network disk 114, print server 115,
Printer 116, Printer 117, LAN 120, PC
121, a PC 122, a MODEM / router 130, and a backbone 140.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a PC on which network device management software according to the embodiment of the present invention can operate. P that can operate the network device management software according to the embodiment of the present invention
C denotes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, a system bus 504, a keyboard controller 505, and C
RT controller 506, disk controller 50
7, network interface card 508, keyboard 509, CRT 510, hard disk 511,
A floppy disk 512 is provided.

In all the following explanations, unless otherwise specified, the execution is mainly performed by the CPU 5 shown in FIG.
01, and the control entity on the software is H in FIG.
Network device management software (control means, detection means, information acquisition means, information setting means, information storage confirmation means,
(Information setting confirmation means).

The HD 511 in FIG. 5 stores a program of the network device management software according to the present invention, which is an operation main body in all the descriptions below. CPU of FIG.
501 executes processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 11 described below based on the network device management software. In FIG. 1, a combination of an NB (network board) 101 connected to a network and a printer 102 on which the network board is mounted is called a network device.

Next, the configuration of the network device management software according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The network management device of the present invention is realized on a PC having the same configuration as a PC capable of realizing the network management device as shown in FIG. Network device management software according to the embodiment of the present invention, as described above,
It is stored in the HD 511 of FIG. 5 and executed by the CPU 501. At that time, the CPU 501 uses the RAM 503 as a work area. In the present embodiment, the OS is assumed to be, for example, Windows (manufactured by Microsoft), but is not limited to this.

The network management program according to the present invention may be supplied in a form stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM. In this case, the FD 512 shown in FIG. CD-ROM
The program is read from a storage medium by a drive or the like, and is installed in the HD 511.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a module of the network device management software according to the embodiment of the present invention. The modules of the network device management software according to the embodiment of the present invention include a device map 600 and a device list module 60.
1. Overall control module 602, configurator 60
3, search module 604, NetWare job module 605, UI A module 606, UI B module 607, control A module 608, control B module 609, MIB module 610, SNMP module 611, common transport module 612,
Current protocol 615 used by IPX handler 613, UDP handler 614, configurator 603, N
etWare API 616 and WinSock 617 are provided.

The detailed configuration of FIGS. 1, 5, and 6 in the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail in the above-mentioned conventional example, and will not be described.

Next, the operation of the network device management software of the network system configured as described above according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 shows the LAN shown in FIG.
100 connected to the network device (101, 1
02) to a PC (personal computer) (103,
104 is a flowchart showing an example of processing from the detection of the network device to the creation of a list of detected network devices when managed by the network device management software of the present embodiment operating in the embodiment 104).

In the figure, in step S701, a variable nCount for counting the number of detected network devices is initialized to 0, and the flow advances to step S702.
In step S702, search for a network device connected to the network is started, and in step S70
Proceed to 3. The device search method will be described later. In step S703, a timer for measuring the time for performing the device search is started, and the process proceeds to step S704.

In step S704, step S7
It is monitored whether or not a response to the network device search process started in 02 has been received from a network device connected to the network. If a response has been received from the network device, the process proceeds to step S705 (step S704: Yes), and a response is received. If not, the process proceeds to step S707 (step S704: N
o). In step S705, the value of the variable nCount for counting the detected network devices is incremented by 1, and the process proceeds to step S706.

In step S706, step S7
Based on the response from the network device received in step 04, necessary information is obtained from the network device, and the process proceeds to step S704. The information obtained here is
In the procedure shown in FIG. 8 and subsequent figures, information (for example, an IP address,
MAC address) and information (eg, device name, product name) necessary to display the detected device on a UI (user interface). Acquisition of such information can be realized using, for example, the SNMP protocol.

In step S707, the process proceeds to step S7.
It is determined whether or not the timer for performing the device search activated in 03 has expired. If the timer has expired, this process ends (step S707: Yes), and if the timer has not expired, step S704. (Step S707: No).

The number of network devices (value of the variable nCount) obtained in this process and the information obtained from the network devices are stored in the work space on the RAM 503 in FIG. Shall be.

Next, as an example of the device search method in step S702 in FIG. 7, an example in which TCP / IP is used as a network protocol will be described below.

The I of the network device to be managed
If a list of P addresses is specified in advance,
The network devices listed in the P address list are sequentially inquired of information supported by the network devices. These pieces of information are stored in the MIB of each network device, and only the agent of the network device having the specified IP address responds to this inquiry. If there is no network device having the set IP address, a timeout error occurs in response to the inquiry, and the above information cannot be obtained.

The I of the network device to be searched is
If the P address is not specified, the search is performed using the broadcast address. In that case, a request for asking information supported by the network device is broadcast on the network. The network device that exists on the subnet and has the queried information returns the queried information in response to the broadcast request. Other network devices reply that they do not have the requested information. Whether or not a network device that has replied that it does not have the inquired information is a managed device depends on the implementation.

In the network device management software of the present embodiment, the network device search processing shown in FIG.
It is assumed that addition of a network device to the network and disconnection of the network device from the network are monitored.

FIG. 8 shows a list of the latest network devices searched in FIG. 7 and the RAM 5 in FIG. 5 searched in the previous network device search processing.
13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of detecting a network device newly connected to the network by comparing a list of network devices stored in the network device 03. This processing is executed after the search processing of the network device shown in FIG. 7 is completed.

In the figure, in step S801, a variable i for index reference to a network device detected in the latest network device search processing shown in FIG.
Proceed to 2. In step S802, it is determined whether the value of the variable i is smaller than the number of network devices detected in the latest network device search process. If smaller, the process proceeds to step S803 (step S802: Yes); This processing ends (Step S802: No).

In step S803, the value of the variable j for referring to the index of the network device detected in the previous network device search processing is set to 0.
And the process proceeds to step S804. Step S80
In step 4, it is determined whether the value of the variable j is smaller than the number of network devices detected in the previous network device search process. If the value is smaller, the process proceeds to step S805 (step S804: Yes). Proceed to S807 (step S80)
4: No).

In step S805, the information of the network device detected in the latest network device search indicated by the variable i is compared with the information of the network device detected in the previous network device search indicated by the variable j. If it is determined that they are the same network device, the process proceeds to step S808 (step S805: Yes), and if it is determined that they are not the same network device, the process proceeds to step S806 (step S805: No). The determination as to whether the network devices are the same can be made, for example, by checking the MA of the network board attached to the network device.
The determination is made by comparing the C address and the product number of the network device.

In step S806, the value of the variable j is incremented by 1, and the flow advances to step S804. Step S80
In step 7, for the network device detected by the latest network device search process indicated by the variable i, the process for the network device newly connected to the network shown in FIG. 10 is started, and the process proceeds to step S808. In step S808, the variable i
Is incremented by 1, and the process proceeds to step S802.

If this process is started after the first network device search process, all newly searched network devices are processed as network devices newly connected to the network, and the same as step S807 described above. Then, it is assumed that the process for the network device newly connected to the network shown in FIG. 10 is started.

FIG. 9 shows a list of the latest network devices searched in FIG. 7 and the RAM 5 in FIG. 5 searched in the previous network device search processing.
13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of detecting an existing network device disconnected from the network by comparing a list of network devices stored in the network device 03. This process is executed after the search process of the network device shown in FIG. 7 is completed.

In the figure, in step S901, a variable j for referring to the index of the network device detected in the previous network device search processing shown in FIG. 7 is initialized to 0, and in step S9
Go to 02. In step S902, it is determined whether the value of the variable j is smaller than the number of network devices detected in the previous network device search process. If smaller, the process proceeds to step S903 (step S902: Yes). This processing ends (Step S902: No).

In step S903, the value of a variable i for index reference to a network device detected in the latest network device search processing is set to 0.
And the process proceeds to step S904. Step S90
In step 4, it is determined whether the value of the variable i is smaller than the number of network devices detected in the latest network device search process. If the value is smaller, the process proceeds to step S905 (step S904: Yes). Proceed to S907 (step S90)
4: No).

In step S905, the information of the network device detected in the previous network device search indicated by the variable j is compared with the information of the network device detected in the latest network device search indicated by the variable i. If it is determined that the device is a network device, the process proceeds to step S908 (step S905: Yes), and if it is determined that the devices are not the same network device, the process proceeds to step S906 (step S905: No). The determination as to whether the network devices are the same can be made, for example, by checking the MA of the network board attached to the network device.
The determination is made by comparing the C address and the product number of the network device.

In step S906, the value of the variable i is incremented by one, and the flow advances to step S904. Step S90
In step 7, for the network device detected in the previous network device search process indicated by the variable j, the process for the network device disconnected from the network shown in FIG.
Proceed to 908. In step S908, the value of the variable j is incremented by 1, and the process proceeds to step S902. When this process is started after the first network device search process, all newly searched network devices are processed as network devices newly connected to the network. The process for the disconnected network device is not activated.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process which is started when a network device newly connected to the network is detected in the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the figure, in step S1001,
In step S1104 of FIG.
The value of a variable k for referring to the stored information of the network device stored above as an index is initialized to 0, and the process proceeds to step S1002. In step S1002, the value of the variable k is compared with the number of pieces of network device information stored on the HD 511. If the value of the variable k is smaller than the number of pieces of information, the process proceeds to step S1003 ( Step S1002: Ye
s) If not smaller, the process proceeds to step S1007 (step S1002: No).

In step S1003, it is checked whether or not the storage information indicated by the variable k is the storage information of a network device newly connected to the network, which is a trigger for activating this processing. If it is stored information, step S1004
(Step S1003: Yes), and if the information is not the storage information of the network device, the process proceeds to Step S1.
008 (Step S1003: No). In step S1004, the user is inquired whether to set (return) the storage information indicated by the variable k to a network device newly connected to the network, and the process proceeds to step S1005. In general, an inquiry to a user is made in a message box or the like.

In step S1005, the above step S
As a result of the inquiry in 1006, if the user has instructed to return the stored information to the network device, the process proceeds to step S1006 (step S100).
5: Yes), if it is instructed not to return, the process proceeds to step S1007 (step S1005: No). In step S1006, the storage information indicated by the variable k is set for a network device newly connected to the network, and the process ends. As a method of setting the storage information for the network device, a method using an SNMP protocol or the like is generally used.

In step S1007, information to be managed is obtained from the device newly connected to the network, and the process ends. The information obtained in this step is temporarily stored in the RAM 503 in FIG. Also, information is generally obtained from the network device by a method using an SNMP protocol. In step S1008, the value of the variable k for referring to the stored information as an index is incremented by 1, and the process proceeds to step S1002.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a process which is started when it is detected that an existing network device is disconnected from the network in the flowchart shown in FIG.

In FIG. 14, in step S1101,
The information acquired from the network device in step S1007 in FIG. 10 is stored in the RAM 503 in FIG.
It is checked whether the information is temporarily stored. If the information is temporarily stored, the process proceeds to step S1102 (step S1101: Yes), and if not, the process ends (step S1101: No). . In step S1102, the information obtained from the network device disconnected from the network and temporarily stored in the ROM 503 is used in the processing of FIG. 10 when the network device is later connected to the network again. The user is inquired as to whether or not to save the data, and the process proceeds to step S1103. In general, an inquiry to a user is made in a message box or the like.

In step S1103, the above step S
If the result of the inquiry in 1102 is that the user has instructed to save the information obtained from the network device disconnected from the network, step S1
The process proceeds to step 104 (step S1103: Yes), and if it is instructed not to save, the process proceeds to step S1105 (step S1103: No).

In step S1104, the information of the network device disconnected from the network is stored in the file or the like on the HD 511 in the information that can identify the network device (for example, the MAC address or the MAC address of the network board mounted on the network device). , The product number of the network device, etc.), and the process ends. In step S1105, the data acquired in step S1007 in FIG.
The information temporarily stored in M503 is discarded, and the process ends.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, a network device operating on a network is detected, information on the detected network device is obtained, and the network device is disconnected from the network. When the network device is detected, the obtained network device information is stored together with the identification information of the network device, and when it is detected that the network device is connected to the network again, the stored network device information is transmitted to the network device. Even if a network device is temporarily disconnected from the network for maintenance or lending, the network device settings are automatically set when the disconnected network device is reconnected to the network. To revert to the previous cut an effect that is possible.

Further, when detecting that the network device has been disconnected from the network, control is performed to confirm whether or not the acquired network device information is stored together with the identification information of the network device. When the device is not a temporary disconnection but a permanent disconnection, it is possible to prevent the storage capacity of a storage medium such as a hard disk from being overwhelmed by storing useless information as in the related art. This has the effect.

Further, when it is detected that the network device is reconnected to the network, control is performed to confirm whether or not the stored network device information is set for the network device. When the disconnected network device is reconnected to the network, the user can select whether or not to restore the previous information to the network device.

The above-described network device management software according to the embodiment of the present invention is a block diagram showing a configuration of a PC on which the network device management software can operate by a program installed from the outside. May be performed by In that case, the program is CD-ROM
By loading a group of information including a program onto the PC 500 from a storage medium such as a flash memory or a floppy disk, or from an external storage medium via a network such as e-mail or personal computer communication, the PC 500
The present invention can be applied to the case where the number is supplied to 500.

FIG. 12 shows a CD-R as an example of a storage medium.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a memory map of an OM. Reference numeral 9999 denotes an area in which directory information is stored, an area 9998 in which the subsequent installation program is stored, and an area 9 in which network device management software is stored.
997 is shown. Reference numeral 9998 denotes an area in which an installation program is stored. An area 9997 stores network device management software.

When the network device management software of the present invention is installed on the PC 500, first, an area 999 storing an installation program is stored.
8 is loaded into the system and executed by the CPU 501. Next, the installation program executed by the CPU 501 reads the network device management software from the area 9997 in which the network device management software is stored, and stores the network device management software on the hard disk 511.

The present invention may be applied to a system or an integrated device including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, etc.), or may be applied to a device including a single device.

A storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. Needless to say, the object of the present invention can be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
D-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, and the like can be used.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program codes. In addition, the OS or the like running on the computer performs actual processing based on the instructions of the program codes. The functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by performing some or all of the above.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
The functions of the above-described embodiment can also be realized by such processing.

The present invention is applicable to a case where the program is delivered from a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a requester via a communication line such as a personal computer communication. Needless to say, this can also be applied.

[Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the configuration shown in FIG. 1 has been described as an example of a network system. However, the present invention is limited to the configuration shown in FIG. Instead, the number of connected PCs, printers, network boards, network disks, file servers, print servers, and the like, and the configuration of the LAN can be arbitrary.

[0129]

As described above, according to the network device management apparatus of the present invention, a network device operating on a network is detected, information on the detected network device is obtained, and the network device is transmitted from the network. When the disconnection is detected, the obtained network device information is stored together with the identification information of the network device, and when it is detected that the network device is connected again to the network, the stored network device information is stored in the network. Even if a network device is temporarily disconnected from the network for maintenance or lending, the network settings are controlled when the disconnected network device is reconnected to the network. An effect that it becomes possible to return the setting of the device to automatically disconnect the previous setting.

Further, upon detecting that the network device has been disconnected from the network, control is performed to confirm whether or not the acquired network device information is stored together with the identification information of the network device. When the device is not a temporary disconnection but a permanent disconnection, it is possible to prevent the storage capacity of a storage medium such as a hard disk from being overwhelmed by storing useless information as in the related art. This has the effect.

Further, when it is detected that the network device is reconnected to the network, control is performed to confirm whether or not the stored network device information is set for the network device. When the disconnected network device is reconnected to the network, the user can select whether or not to restore the previous information to the network device.

Further, in the network system of the present invention, the network device management method of the present invention, and the storage medium of the present invention, similarly to the above, even when the network device is temporarily disconnected from the network for maintenance or lending. In addition, when the disconnected network device is connected to the network again, it is possible to automatically return the settings of the network device to the settings before disconnection.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a large-scale network system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and showing a case where a network board for connecting a printer to a network is connected to a printer having an open architecture. .

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an example of connecting a network board on which an agent is mounted to a printer.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of electrical connection between a network board, a printer, and a LAN.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of an MIB.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a PC on which network device management software according to the embodiment of the present invention can operate.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a module of the network device management software according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a network device search process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for detecting a network device newly connected to the network according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of detecting an existing network device disconnected from the network according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed when a network device newly connected to the network according to the embodiment of the present invention is detected.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed when an existing network device disconnected from the network according to the embodiment of the present invention is detected.

FIG. 12 is an example of a storage medium storing a program for executing the network device management method of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map of a D-ROM.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 LAN 101 network board 102 printer having open architecture 500 PC (network device management device) on which network device management software runs 501 network device management software (control means, detection means, information acquisition means, information setting means, information storage confirmation 503 RAM (information storage means) for executing means, information setting confirmation means)

Claims (28)

[Claims] 1. A network device management apparatus for managing network devices on a network, wherein, when a network device connected to the network is disconnected from the network and then connected to the network again, the network device A network device management apparatus, comprising: control means for performing control for returning settings to the settings before the separation. 2. A network device management apparatus for managing network devices on a network, comprising: detecting means for detecting a network device operating on the network; and acquiring information on the network device detected by the detecting means. Information acquisition means, and information storage means for storing the acquired network device information together with the identification information of the network device, when the detection means detects that the network device is disconnected from the network,
Information setting means for setting the stored network device information for the network device when the detection means detects that the network device has been reconnected to the network. Management device. 3. The information for confirming whether or not to store the acquired network device information together with the identification information of the network device when the detecting device detects that the network device has been disconnected from the network. 3. The network device management apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a storage confirmation unit. 4. The information for confirming whether to set the stored network device information for the network device when the detecting means detects that the network device is connected to the network again. 3. The network device management apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a setting confirmation unit. 5. The network device according to claim 1, wherein the network device is a combination of a network board connected to the network and an image forming apparatus such as a printer to which the network board is mounted.
The network device management device according to any one of the above. 6. The network device information is information such as an address, a network device name, and a product name necessary for performing communication with the network device, and the identification information of the network device is the network device identification information. 6. The network device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is information such as an address of the network board to be configured and a product number of the network device. 7. The network device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the network is a network such as a local area network and a wide area network. 8. A network system comprising: a network device connectable to a network; and a network device management device for managing the network device on the network, wherein the network management device is connected to the network. A network system, comprising: a control unit configured to perform control for restoring the settings of the network device to the settings before the disconnection when the device is disconnected from the network and reconnected to the network. 9. A network system comprising a network device connectable to a network, and a network device management device for managing the network device on the network, wherein the network management device is operating on the network. Detecting means for detecting a network device, information obtaining means for obtaining information on the network device detected by the detecting means, and when the detecting means detects that the network device is disconnected from the network, Information storing means for storing the acquired network device information together with the identification information of the network device; and storing the network device information when the detecting means detects that the network device is connected to the network again. Network system, characterized in that it comprises an information setting means for a network device information is set for the network devices. 10. The network management device further comprises:
When the detecting means detects that the network device has been disconnected from the network, the information processing apparatus further includes an information storage confirming means for confirming whether to save the acquired network device information together with the identification information of the network device. 10. The network system according to claim 9, wherein: 11. The network management device further comprises:
When the detecting means detects that the network device is connected to the network again, the information processing apparatus further includes information setting confirming means for confirming whether to set the stored network device information for the network device. 10. The network system according to claim 9, wherein: 12. The network device according to claim 8, wherein the network device is a combination of a network board connected to the network and an image forming apparatus such as a printer equipped with the network board. The network system according to any one of the above. 13. The network device information,
An address necessary for communicating with the network device, information such as a network device name, a product name, etc., and the identification information of the network device are an address of the network board constituting the network device, an address of the network device. 13. The network system according to claim 8, wherein the information is information such as a product number. 14. The network system according to claim 8, wherein the network is a network such as a local area network and a wide area network. 15. A network device management method for managing network devices on a network, comprising the steps of: when a network device connected to the network is disconnected from the network and then reconnected to the network, A network device management method, wherein the setting is returned to the setting before the disconnection. 16. A network device management method for managing network devices on a network, comprising: detecting a network device operating on the network; acquiring information on the detected network device; When detecting disconnection from the network, the acquired network device information is stored together with the identification information of the network device, and when it is detected that the network device is connected to the network again, the stored network device information is stored. A network device management method, wherein network device information is set for the network device. 17. When detecting that the network device has been disconnected from the network, it is further determined whether or not the acquired network device information is stored together with the identification information of the network device. The network device management method according to claim 16. 18. When detecting that the network device is reconnected to the network, the network device confirms whether to set the stored network device information for the network device. The network device management method according to claim 16. 19. The network device according to claim 15, wherein the network device is a combination of a network board connected to the network and an image forming apparatus such as a printer to which the network board is mounted. The network device management method according to any one of the above. 20. The network device information,
An address necessary for communicating with the network device, information such as a network device name, a product name, etc., and the identification information of the network device are an address of the network board constituting the network device, an address of the network device. 20. The network device management method according to claim 15, wherein the information is information such as a product number. 21. The network device management method according to claim 15, wherein the network is a network such as a local area network and a wide area network. 22. A storage medium readable by a computer storing a program for executing a network device management method applied to a network device management apparatus for managing network devices on a network, wherein the network device management method comprises the steps of: After the network device connected to the network is disconnected from the network, when the network device is connected again, the control step of performing control to return the settings of the network device to the settings before the disconnection, Storage media. 23. A storage medium readable by a computer storing a program for executing a network device management method applied to a network device management apparatus for managing network devices on a network, wherein the network device management method comprises: A detecting step of detecting a network device operating on the above, an information obtaining step of obtaining information of the network device detected in the detecting step,
An information storage step of storing the acquired network device information together with the identification information of the network device when the network device detects that the network device has been disconnected from the network in the detection step; and An information setting step of setting the stored network device information for the network device when the connection to the network is detected again. 24. Information for confirming whether or not to store the acquired network device information together with the identification information of the network device, when the detecting step detects that the network device has been disconnected from the network. The storage medium according to claim 23, further comprising a storage confirmation step. 25. Information for confirming whether to set the stored network device information for the network device when the detecting step detects that the network device is reconnected to the network. The storage medium according to claim 23, further comprising a setting confirmation step. 26. The network device according to claim 22, wherein the network device is a combination of a network board connected to the network and an image forming apparatus such as a printer to which the network board is mounted. The storage medium according to any one of the above. 27. The network device information,
An address necessary for communicating with the network device, information such as a network device name, a product name, etc., and the identification information of the network device are an address of the network board constituting the network device, an address of the network device. 27. The storage medium according to claim 22, wherein the information is information such as a product number. 28. The storage medium according to claim 22, wherein said network is a network such as a local area network or a wide area network.