JP2003337771A - Network device management device, network device management method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid a functional processing executing operation instruction for every individual device by executing the same functional processing, such as updating of firmware or the like and test printing, in a plurality of devices selected on a network. <P>SOLUTION: A device list display part 302 displays a list of devices as management targets on a user interface, upon which a plurality of devices are arbitrarily selected from among the listed devices, and an overall control part 301 repeatedly activates the same management operation for each selected device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network device management apparatus, a network device management method, and a storage medium for remotely managing a plurality of devices connected to a network via the network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, as a method for managing a device on a network which constitutes a large-scale network system, some attempts have been made by many standard organizations so far. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an open system interconnection (OpenSystem Inter
A general-purpose reference framework called the connection (OSI) model is provided.

Here, the network management protocol O
The SI model is a common management information protocol (Common
Management Information Pr
OTOCOL, CWIP). CMIP is a European common network management protocol.

In recent years, a simple network management protocol (Simple Network Manager) has been used as a more common network management protocol.
C called "ment Protocol (SNMP)"
There is a variant of protocol related to MIP, for example, “for TCP / IP network management human practical management” M.M. T. Rose = work / Takeshi Nishida = translation
It is described in the first edition issued by Toppan on August 20, 1992.

According to this SNMP network management technique, a network management system includes at least one network management station (NMS), several managed nodes each including an agent, and management stations and agents exchanging management information. Contains the network management protocol used to do this.

Then, the user can obtain data on the network or change the data to be set by communicating with the agent software on the managed node using the network management software on the NMS. Is configured.

Here, the agent is software that runs as a background process for each target device.

In this case, when the user requests management data from a device on the network, the management software puts the object identification information in a management packet or frame and sends it to the target agent. Then, the agent interprets the object identification information,
The data corresponding to the object identification information is taken out, the data is put in a packet and sent back to the user.
Sometimes the corresponding process is called to retrieve the data.

Further, the agent holds data regarding its own status in the form of a database. This database is called MIB (Managemen)
tlnformationBase). M
The IB has a tree-structured data structure, and all nodes are uniquely numbered. The identifier of this node is the object identifier (OBJECT IDENTI
It is called FIER).

The structure of this MIB is a management information structure (SM
I: Structure of Management
Information), called RFCl155
Structure and Identitya
tion of Management Information
application for TCP / IP-based In
stipulated in ternets.

Next, the SNMP protocol will be described in detail.

A PC running network management utility software (hereinafter called a manager) and a managed network device running an SNMP agent (hereinafter called an agent)
Communicates using the SNMP protocol. SNM
There are 5 types of commands in the P protocol, each of which is G
etRequest, GetNextRequest,
GetResponse, SetRequest, Tr
called ap.

GetRequest and GetNex
tRequest is the MI in which the manager is the agent.
This is a command sent by the manager to the agent in order to obtain the value of the B object. The agent that received this command is GetResponse.
The value (set value) of the MIB object is notified by sending the se command to the manager.

On the other hand, SetRequest is a command sent by the manager to the agent in order for the manager to set the value of the MIB object of the agent. Upon receiving this command, the agent sends a GetResponse command to the manager to notify the manager of the setting result.

Trap is a command that the agent sends to the manager in order for the agent to notify the manager of the change in the state of itself.

Information exchanged by the SNMP protocol is wide-ranging, but typically, there are various communication-related information such as various settings of a network interface on which an agent operates, a statistical history of communication, and a current state.

In addition to this, there is a lot of information about devices connected to the network interface by the network interface.

In the case of a network printer, for example, it is information about the operating state of the printer body, performance and equipment.

As various settings of the network interface exchanged between the agent and the manager by the SNMP protocol, settings of communication media level (frame type etc.) such as Ethernet (registered trademark) and TokenRing, and TCP / IP network are used. IP address, subnet mask, default gateway IP address, etc. are included.

The manager is the GetRequests mentioned above.
The current setting value is inquired to the agent by t or GetNextRequest, and the agent replies by GetResponse in response to the inquiry.

The set value edited on the manager side is transmitted to the agent side by SetRequest, and the agent changes the appropriate setting such as the network interface.

As described above, by the method of performing various settings by the communication between the manager outside the device and the agent (having no user interface) incorporated inside the device on the device side, the physical setting for the network device is performed. It is possible to realize a very convenient remote management system for network devices by using a graphical user interface (GUI) of a system (for example, a personal computer) on which a manager operates without providing a general user interface. .

By using the SNMP protocol, it is possible not only to set the network or device parameters as described above but also to give a certain instruction from the manager to the device.

For example, when the manager changes the value of a certain MIB object to a predetermined value, the agent can take a specific action pre-corresponding to the specified value. Equivalent to giving instructions to take action.

For example, canPr whose definition is given in FIG.
A virtual MIB called tPerrestPrint
Think of an object. When this object is used as an agent installed in the printer's network interface, it is normally testPrintPerfNo.
It takes the value of ne (1), but the manager sets the value of this object to testPrintPerfNetworkC.
When changed to config (2), the agent instructs the printer to print out the list of network setting parameters. This object is testPrintPerf while the test print is being performed.
It will continue to take the value of NetworkConfig (2) and the manager cannot change it to any other value.

When the test print is completed, the agent again sets the value to testPrintPerfNone.
Return to (1).

Similarly, the manager passes the value of this object to testPrintPerfPDLParams.
If changed to (3), the agent instructs the printer to print out a list of default setting values of PDL (page description language), and the agent prints the TDL.
When changed to estPrintPerfFontList (4), the printer is instructed to print out a list of font names in which data is loaded in the printer.

A typical remote management program for a network device using the SNMP protocol has a user interface as shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface in this type of information processing apparatus.

In FIG. 11, there is a device list 501 that displays a list of network devices that are management targets connected to the network.

In the conventional remote management program, the user selects one of the plurality of devices displayed in the device list 501 to perform a desired management operation.

For example, Statu appearing in FIG.
s tab 504, Features tab 505, Setu
The p-tab 506 displays the following detailed information about the device selected in the device list.

In FIG. 11, the Status tab 504
Displays the status of the device. For example, if an error has occurred, what kind of error has occurred is displayed to call the user's attention.

The Features tab 505 displays the setting state of the equipment information of the device. For example, in the case of a network printer, this is information such as the size / remaining amount of paper loaded in each cassette of the printer, the presence / absence of a double-sided printing unit, and page description language support.

The Setup tab 506 is used in the TCP / IP system when setting the network interface.
Displays the setting status of IP address, subnet mask, default gateway address, etc.

Further, the network control is NetWare.
The system includes print application settings such as PSERVER and NPRINTER.

From the information displayed on these tabs, the user can obtain information about the device and set the network interface.

By the way, the network device remote management program does not necessarily need to fully use the SNMP protocol. For example, like the Jobs tab above, in some cases NetWare or Windows
API (Application Program) used in a network OS such as ws (registered trademark) NT
m Interface), or it may use a special protocol specific to the device.

There are devices that support the function of updating firmware from a remote management program. The methods are (1) a method of transferring an image file of firmware to a device using a unique protocol. (2) Method of transferring the firmware image file to the file system inside the device by using the existing protocol such as FTP (When the file is copied to a specific directory by FTP, this file is expanded in RAM after reset. It is possible that

Further, in the remote management program, FIG.
Often a menu bar such as the one shown or an alternative to it is available. FIG. 12 exemplifies what kinds of options are prepared for the menu "Device".

In FIG. 12, the item "TestPrint" instructs the device selected on the device list to output a test print using the SNMP protocol as described above.

In addition, "Flash Network B
oard. ． ． In ", when the user selects this, a dialog not shown is displayed, and the user can specify a new firmware image file.
The file specified by the user updates the firmware of the device selected on the device list.

[0043]

Conventionally, in a remote management program for a network device, functions such as test print and remote update of device firmware are selected on a device list on a setting screen provided by a user interface. It only applies to one device.

However, in reality, the user often wants to perform the same operation simultaneously on a plurality of devices on the network.

For example, when the firmware of a certain model is upgraded, it is necessary to update the firmware of all the models connected to the network. In such a case, the user can change the device to a device. Select in the list and click "Flash Network.
Board. ． ． It takes a lot of time and effort to select a menu and select a firmware image file for each device.

In some cases, such as when some new devices are introduced into the network at the same time, it may be necessary to output a test print of a plurality of devices. Even in such a case, the devices can be selected in the device list and "T"
You have to take the step of selecting the "est Print" menu for each device, which is troublesome.
There were problems such as extremely poor convenience.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to display a list of managed devices on a user interface,
Select multiple devices from the devices displayed in the list, and repeatedly execute the same management operation for each selected device. By updating the firmware and executing the same functional processing such as test printing, avoiding the functional processing execution operation instruction for each device, and reducing the device management operation load by the network management user with a simple operation instruction. To provide a network device management apparatus, a network device management method, and a storage medium that are highly convenient.

[0048]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a device to be managed in a network device management apparatus for remotely controlling a plurality of devices connected to the network via the network. Device list display means (device list display unit 30 shown in FIG. 3) for displaying a list of
2)), and a plurality of device selection means (corresponding to the device list display unit 302 shown in FIG. 3) for selecting a plurality of arbitrary devices from the devices displayed by the device list display means. It has a plurality of device sequential operation means (corresponding to the device detailed information display unit 303, the device specific information acquisition setting unit 305 and the like shown in FIG. 3) that repeatedly activates the same management operation for the designated device.

A second aspect of the present invention is a key condition designating means for designating one or a plurality of device attributes (the device list display section 302 is controlled by the keyboard 209 shown in FIG. 2 or a pointing device not shown). (Corresponding to a configuration designated by a menu in the displayed user interface), and the plurality of device selection means are key conditions designated by the key condition designation means (for example, test print and flash as shown in FIG. 5). A device corresponding to a network board or the like) is automatically set to a plurality of selected states.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the plural device selecting means automatically sets plural devices of the same type designated to a plural selected state.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a firmware remote update means (a device shown in FIG. 3) for remotely updating the firmware stored in the selected device of a certain type via the network. (Corresponding to the detailed information display unit 303, the device specific information acquisition setting unit 305, etc.), the plural device sequential operation unit is the firmware for plural devices of the same type selected by the plural device selection unit. The remote updating means is sequentially activated.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a remote test print output means for outputting a test print to a selected device via a network (device detailed information display section 303 shown in FIG. 3, device specific information acquisition). (Corresponding to the setting unit 305, etc.), the plural device sequential operation means sequentially activates the remote test print output means for a plurality of selected devices.

A sixth invention according to the present invention is a network device management method in a network device management apparatus which manages a plurality of devices connected to a network by remote control via the network. A device list display step of displaying a list on the user interface (step (1) shown in FIG. 8), and a plurality of devices in which any of a plurality of devices displayed in the device list display step are selected A device selection process (steps (9), (12) and (13) shown in FIG. 8) and a multiple device sequential operation process (step shown in FIG. 8 that repeatedly activates the same management operation for a designated device). 1
1)) and.

A seventh invention according to the present invention has a key condition designating step (step (4) shown in FIG. 8) for designating one or a plurality of device attributes, and the multiple device selecting step comprises: A plurality of devices corresponding to the key conditions designated in the key condition designation step are automatically placed in a selected state.

In an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the plural device selection step, plural devices of the same designated type are automatically selected.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is a firmware remote update process for remotely updating the firmware of a selected type of device via the network (step (10) shown in FIG. 8). ),
In the plural device sequential operation step, the firmware remote update step is sequentially activated for a plurality of devices of the same type selected in the plural device selection step.

The tenth invention according to the present invention comprises a remote test print output step (step (10) shown in FIG. 8) for outputting a test print to the selected device via a network. In the device sequential operation step, the remote test print output step is sequentially activated for a plurality of selected devices.

The eleventh invention according to the present invention is the sixth invention.
~ A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the network device management method according to any one of the tenth to tenth aspects.

[0059]

1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a network system to which a network management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied, in which devices managed by network management software are connected. Corresponding to the example of the network system.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a network board (NB), which is a printer 1 having an open architecture.
02 is connected to the network. The NB 101 is connected to the local area network (LAN) 100 via a LAN interface such as Ethernet (registered trademark) interface 10Base2 having a coaxial connector or 10BaseT having RJ-45.

A plurality of personal computers (PCs) such as the PCs 103 and 104 are also connected to the LAN 100, and these PCs 103 and 104 are NB1 under the control of the network operating system.
01 can be communicated.

Therefore, one of the PCs, for example PC 103, can be used for network management. Also, P
A local printer, such as printer 105 connected to C104, may be connected.

The LAN 100 has a file server 106.
Is connected, and the file server 106 has a large capacity (for example, about 10 billion bytes) of the network disk 1.
The access to the file stored in 07 is managed.

The print server 108 includes a plurality of connected printers 109 or remote printers 105.
Causes the printer to print. Further, other peripheral devices (not shown) may be connected to the LAN 100.

The file server 106 also functions as a file management unit for receiving, storing, queuing, caching, and transmitting files among LAN members.

For example, the data files created by the PC 103 and the PC 104 are sent to the file server 106, and the file server 106 arranges these data files in order and then the print server 1
According to the command from 08, the arranged data file is transmitted to one of the printers 109.

The PC 103 as a client and the PC 104 as a remote printer respectively generate a data file and the LAN 100 of the generated data file.
To and from the LAN 100, and further can display and / or process these files, and is composed of a general personal computer.

It should be noted that although FIG. 1 shows a personal computer device, other computer devices suitable for executing network software may be included. For example, if using UNIX® software, UNIX® workstations may be included in the network, and these workstations will, under appropriate circumstances, work together with the illustrated PC. Can be used.

LANs, such as LAN 100, typically serve a relatively local group of users, such as a group of users on one floor in a building or on multiple consecutive floors.

For example, a wide area network (WAN) may be created as a user moves away from another user, such as when the user is in another building or another prefecture.

WAN is basically several LANs.
Are connected by a high speed digital line such as an integrated services digital network (ISDN).

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
0, LAN 110, and LAN 120 are connected via a modem / transponder 130 and a backbone 140 to form a WAN.

Each LAN includes a dedicated PC,
Further, it may include a file server or a print server as needed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the LAN 110 is a PC
lll, PCl 12, file server 113, network disk 114, print server 115, printer 116. In contrast, it includes only LAN 120, PC 121 and PC 122. LAN100, LAN110,
And a device connected to the LAN 120 can access the function of a device connected to another LAN via a WAN connection.

The LAN 100 also includes a WWW server 1
50 is connected and the HTML document generated by the network management software installed on the WWW server 150 is displayed using the WWW browser installed on the PC 103, or the PC 103 is displayed.
Printer settings made on the above WWW browser can be
It can also be sent to a specific printer via the network management software on the W server 150.

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

FIG. 2 shows the client 103 shown in FIG.
2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of FIG. 1, and the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 2, 103 is a PC on which network management software operates, and 10 in FIG.
It is equivalent to PC (client) of No. 3.

The PC 103 executes the network management program stored in the ROM 202 or the hard disk (HD) 211 or supplied from the floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) 212, which is the CPU 20.
1, and collectively controls each device connected to the system device 204.

Reference numeral 203 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 201. 205 is a keyboard controller (KBC), which is a keyboard (KB) 2
09 or an instruction input from a pointing device (not shown) or the like. 206 is a CRT controller (CRT
In C), the display of the CRT display (CRT) 210 is controlled.

207 is a disk controller (DKC)
A hard disk (HD) 211 that stores a boot program, various applications, edit files, user files, a network management program, and the like.
And floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) 212
Control access to and. A network interface card (NIC) 208 bidirectionally exchanges data with an agent or a network device via the LAN 100.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the module configuration of the network management software (software of the network device remote management apparatus) in the network management apparatus according to the present invention. The network management software 300 according to the present invention is the hard disk 211 (may be another storage medium) shown in FIG.
And is executed by the CPU 201.
At that time, the CPU 201 uses the RAM 20 as a work area.
Use 3.

In FIG. 3, the overall control unit 301 manages the operation of the entire software, and when this software is activated, control is first passed to this portion. After booting, the overall control unit 301 first displays the device list display unit 3
02 and the device detailed information display unit 303 are instructed to perform initialization.

The device list display unit 302 and the device detailed information display unit 303 initialize themselves and, at the same time, instruct the device search unit 304 and the device unique information acquisition setting unit 305 to perform initialization.

When the initialization is completed, the overall control unit 3
Reference numeral 01 instructs the device list display unit 302 to internally generate and display a device list, and the device list display unit 302 that has received the instruction instructs the device search unit 304 to search for devices, that is, devices to be managed existing in the network. Instruct to detect.

Next, the device search unit 304 generates information necessary for the search packet to generate the SNMP protocol processing layer 3
When passed to 06, the SNMP protocol processing layer 306 converts the information passed from the device search unit 304 into an SNMP packet and passes it to the lower TCP / IP protocol processing layer 307.

As a result, when the TCP / IP protocol processing layer 307 passes the information passed from the SNMP protocol processing unit 306 to the physical network access layer 308 as an IP packet, the physical network access layer 308 passes the passed information. Is transmitted to a network medium such as Ethernet, and a response from the device is received. Then, the received information is transmitted in the opposite direction to that just described, and reaches the device list display unit 302 as the device search result.

The device list display unit 302, which has obtained the search result from the device search unit 304, gives an instruction to the device unique information acquisition setting unit 305 to obtain the profile information of the detected device. Here, the profile information is a device name, a device type, an address, and a device status.

The device specific information acquisition setting unit 305
It instructs the NMP protocol processing layer 306 to acquire the value of the MIB object having the profile information. This instruction is transmitted to the TCP / IP protocol processing layer 307 and the physical network access layer 308 in the same manner as in the device search described above, and the response from the device follows each layer in the opposite direction and the device-specific information. The information is transmitted to the acquisition setting unit 305.

When the device list display unit 302 receives the device profile information from the device unique information acquisition setting unit 305, the device list display unit 302 internally generates a device list and further displays the device list 503 on the user interface shown in FIG. indicate. FIG. 4 shows C shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface displayed on RT210.

Here, different icons are used depending on the type of device. A device name or a MAC address of a device for which no device name is defined is displayed below the icon.

The device search unit 304 searches for devices not only at startup but also periodically thereafter, and notifies the device list display unit 302 of the results each time.
The device list display unit 302 displays the device list 5 on the internal and user interfaces according to the received result.
Update 03.

When the user selects an icon on the device list 503, this information is stored in the overall control unit 301.
The overall control unit 301 accordingly instructs the device detailed information display unit 303 to display the detailed information of the selected device. The device detailed information includes the above three types (Status 504, Features).
505, Setup 506).

This remote management software supports the menu shown in the menu bar 501 shown in FIG.
When the "Device" pull-down menu is clicked, items such as those shown in FIG. 5 are further displayed. Depending on the selected device, only the items supported by the device become active and the user can select each item, and the other items are grayed out. The device currently selected in the device list is "Test.
Print "is assumed to be supported.

FIG. 5 shows the menu bar 501 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a “Device” pull-down menu of FIG.

In FIG. 5, the user selects "Device".
If you select "Test Print" from the menu,
This remote management software requests the agent on the network to output a test print describing each item of the network setting.

This is done using the MIB objects shown in FIG. 10 that the agent supports.
In other words, this remote management software is
When the "stPrint" menu is selected, the agent detailed information display unit 303 and the device specific information acquisition setting unit 305 shown in FIG.
nt object instance value to testPri
Change to the value of ntPerfNetworkConfig (2).

As a result, as described above, the device (here, the network printer) can output the test print.

In addition, "Flash Network Boar" of the "Device" menu shown in FIG.
d. ． ． When the user selects the item, the dialog shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the CRT 210 shown in FIG. 2, and when the user selects the firmware image, the firmware is used for the device currently selected using the data. Is updated remotely.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the Flash Network Board displayed on the CRT 210 shown in FIG.

As described above, the remote update of the firmware uses a special protocol or an FTP protocol and varies depending on the device, but since the method itself is not essential to the present invention, the details will be omitted.

By the way, there is an item "Select Devices By ..." In the "Device" menu. When the user selects this item, a dialog as shown in FIG. 7 appears.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of Select Devices By displayed on the CRT 210 shown in FIG. 2. The user can select a plurality of devices by any of the following three methods. it can.

In FIG. 7, when "By Type" is selected, all devices of the same type as the currently selected one are selected.

When "IP Address" is selected, all devices within the specified IP address range are selected.

Furthermore, "MAC Addresses
s. ． ． ", Select all devices with the same vendor code for the MAC address as the device currently selected. In the display example shown in FIG. 7, the current “By T
“Yepe” is selected (check buttons CB1 to C
The check button CB1 in B3 corresponds to the highlighted display state.

When the dialog shown in FIG. 7 is closed, the background of the icons of the selected devices on the device list 503 shown in FIG. 4 becomes hollow. (That is, when one device is selected, the entire background is usually colored, but when multiple devices are selected, only the rectangular frame surrounding the icon is colored, and the inside has the same color as the background of the unselected icon. If a plurality of devices are selected by "By Type" shown in FIG. 7, "Flash Network" is displayed in this state.
Board. ． ． 5 is displayed only once, and when the user specifies the firmware image file in the user interface shown in FIG. 6, all the selected devices of the same type are selected. The firmware is sequentially updated remotely.

Whichever of the above two methods is selected, if the user selects the "Test Print" menu item in that state, a "sequential test print request is sent to a device that supports the test print and the" Test Print "is sent. Just select the "Print" menu once and all the selected devices will output a test print.

As a method of selecting a plurality of devices, another OS is Windows (registered trademark) of Macrosoft Corporation.
System PC, Alt key on the keyboard (Macin
For MACOS of Tosh, "Option" key, O
There is also a method in which an icon of the device list is selected one by one with a pointer device such as a mouse while S is pressing a control key in UNIX (registered trademark).

Then, the background of the icon of the selected device becomes hollow as in the case of selection as shown in FIG.

If the plurality of selected devices are of different types, "Flash Network Boar" is selected.
d. ． ． "The menu is grayed out.

Further, "Test Print" is activated when at least one device that supports the test print is included.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the network management device according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (13) indicate each step.

First, when the device list display unit 302 receives the device profile information from the device unique information acquisition setting unit 305, the device list display unit 302 internally generates a device list, and a device management menu (FIG. The user interface including the device list shown in FIG. 4) is displayed (1). Then, waiting for the menu selection by the user, the device menu D
It is determined whether or not the device is selected (2), and when it is determined that the device menu Device is not selected, the process proceeds to step (3) and other processing is executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the device menu Device is selected,
In step (4), the process waits until an item (item shown in FIG. 5) in the submenu subordinate to the device menu Device is selected, and when the item in the submenu is selected, in step (5) , Wait for select device corresponding to device selection to be selected,
When the select device is selected, it is determined in step (6) whether the type is “BYTYPE” shown in FIG. 7, and if YES, the process proceeds to step (13) to select the icons of the selected devices. The device list 503 in the user interface shown in FIG. 4 is displayed for identification, and the process proceeds to step (10) and thereafter.

On the other hand, if NO in step (6), the type selected in step (7) is as shown in FIG.
It is judged whether it is "IP Address" shown in
If YES, the process proceeds to step (12), the icons of the selected plurality of devices are identified and displayed on the device list 503 in the user interface shown in FIG. 4, and the process proceeds to step (10) and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, if NO in step (7), the type selected in step (8) is as shown in FIG.
4. If it is NO, the process returns to step (1), and if YES, the process proceeds to step (9), and the icons of the selected devices are displayed on the user interface shown in FIG. Identification is displayed on the inside device list 503, and step (10)
Proceed to the following.

Then, in step (10), the setting command is sequentially output to each selected device, and step (1
In 1), waiting for a response from each device to be received, and when a response from each device is received, various management information is updated and the process returns to step (1).

According to the above embodiment, the same functional processing,
For example, when performing a test print or updating the same firmware, it is possible to eliminate the complexity of repeating the same operation for each device, and it is possible to further improve the work efficiency of the network administrator who is the user.

The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by a network system to which the network management device according to the present invention can be applied will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by a network system to which the network management device according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not particularly shown, information for managing the program group stored in the storage medium, such as version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS or the like on the program reading side, such as the program, is stored. In some cases, an icon or the like for identification and display is also stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs are also managed in the above directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in a computer, or a program for decompressing the program to be installed when it is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIG. 8 in this embodiment may be performed by the host computer by a program installed from the outside. In that case, the present invention is applied even when the information group including the program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. It is a thing.

As described above, the storage medium recording the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP of the system or apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by U) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

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 (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, C
A D-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, an EEPROM or the like can be used.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that this also includes the case where the above) performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that the processing includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized.

[0130]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the fifteenth invention, a list of devices to be managed is displayed on the user interface, a plurality of arbitrary devices are selected from the devices displayed in the list, and each selected device is selected. Since the same management operation is repeatedly started for, updating firmware etc. for multiple devices selected on the network,
Convenience for network management by executing the same function processing such as test print, avoiding the function processing execution operation instruction for each device, and reducing the device management operation load by the network management user with a simple operation instruction. It has the effect of significantly improving

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system to which a network management device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a client shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a module configuration of network management software in the network management device according to the present invention.

4 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface displayed on the CRT shown in FIG.

5 is a menu bar "Device" shown in FIG. 4;
It is a figure explaining the structure of a pull-down menu.

FIG. 6 is a Flash displayed on the CRT shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows an example of Network Board.

FIG. 7 is a Select displayed on the CRT shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows an example of tDevicesBy.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the network management device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a network system to which the network management device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of objects in a remote management system for this type of network device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface in a remote management system for this type of network device.

12 is a diagram illustrating a menu structure in the user interface shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

201 CPU for executing network device remote management program 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 System bus 205 Keyboard controller (KBC) 206 CRT controller (CRTC) 207 Disk controller (DKC) 208 Network interface card (NIC) 209 Keyboard (KB) 210 CRT display (CRT) 211 hard disk (HD) 212 floppy (registered trademark) disk drive (F
D) 300 Network device remote management program 301 Overall control unit 302 Device list display unit 303 Device detailed information display unit 304 Device search unit 305 Device unique information acquisition setting unit 306 SNMP protocol processing layer 307 TCP / IP protocol processing layer 308 Physical network access layer

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A network device management apparatus for remotely managing a plurality of devices connected to a network via the network, and a device list display means for displaying a list of devices to be managed on a user interface. A plurality of device selection means for selecting a plurality of arbitrary devices from the devices displayed by the device list display means, and a plurality of devices sequentially for repeatedly activating the same management operation for the designated devices A network device management apparatus comprising: an operation unit. 2. A key condition specifying means for specifying one or more of device attributes, wherein the plural device selecting means automatically selects a device corresponding to the key condition specified by the key condition specifying means. The network device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of selection states are set for each. 3. The network device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of device selection means automatically sets a plurality of designated devices of the same type into a plurality of selected states. 4. A firmware remote updating means for remotely updating firmware stored in the selected device of a certain type via a network, wherein the plurality of device sequential operation means comprises the plurality of devices. 2. The network device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the firmware remote updating means is sequentially activated for a plurality of devices of the same type selected by the device selecting means. 5. A remote test print output means for outputting a test print to a selected device via a network, wherein the plural device sequential operation means is the remote test print for the selected plural devices. The network device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output means is sequentially activated. 6. A network device management method in a network device management apparatus for remotely controlling a plurality of devices connected to a network through the network, wherein a list of devices to be managed is displayed on a user interface. The device list display step, the multiple device selection step of selecting a plurality of arbitrary devices from the devices displayed in the device list display step, and the same management operation repeated for the specified device A network device management method comprising a step of sequentially operating a plurality of devices. 7. A key condition designating step for designating one or a plurality of device attributes, wherein the multiple device selecting step automatically selects a device corresponding to the key condition designated by the key condition designating step. 7. The network device management method according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of selection states are set for each. 8. The network device management method according to claim 6, wherein in the plural device selection step, plural devices of the same specified type are automatically selected. 9. A firmware remote updating step of remotely updating firmware of a selected type of device via a network, wherein the plural device sequential operation step comprises the plural device selecting step. 7. The network device management method according to claim 6, wherein the firmware remote updating step is sequentially activated for a plurality of devices of the same type selected by. 10. A remote test print output step of outputting a test print to a selected device via a network, wherein the plurality of devices sequential operation step includes the remote test print to the selected plurality of devices. The network device management method according to claim 6, wherein the output steps are sequentially activated. 11. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the network device management method according to claim 6.