JPH05304538A - Electronic mail system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an electronic mail system having a function informing the operating state of the system to a system manager. CONSTITUTION:The system is provided with a delivery necessary time calculation means (B1) calculating a mail delivery necessary time (d1i) required from a transmission time (ti1) to a delivery time (t2i) of an electronic mail (Mi; i=1, 2,...) delivered within a prescribed time and with a means informing information relating to the mail delivery necessary time (d1i) to a system manager, and also with a means informing information relating to a mail read necessary time required from a delivery time (t2i) to a read time (t3i) of an electronic mail (Mi; i=1, 2,...) read within a prescribed time and relating to a similar mail delete necessary time to the system manager.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic mail system including a mail server for collecting and delivering electronic mail, a mailbox for storing electronic mail, and a terminal device accessible to the mail server. Regarding, in particular,
The present invention relates to an electronic mail system having a function of grasping a system operation status and notifying a system administrator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a LAN (Local Area Network,
Local Area Network), PBX (Private Bran)
ch Exchange, private branch exchange, ISDN (Integrated Se)
rvicesDigital Network) etc., e-mail service is provided as one of the services. As a conventional system for providing the electronic mail service, a mail server connected to a network and having a collecting and delivering function, a storage device such as a hard disk for realizing a function of a mailbox for storing the delivered electronic mail, and the mail An electronic mail system including a terminal device (workstation) that can access a server is known.
In such an e-mail system, data such as the sender of the e-mail, the content of the e-mail, and the sending time (t1) of the e-mail is stored in the mailbox, and these data are stored in the sender. It is configured to be read when the specified recipient is logged in to the network.

In such an electronic mail system,
When the amount of signals transmitted through the communication lines forming the network is large or small (so-called when the traffic is busy or when there is no traffic), the e-mail is transmitted from the time (t1) The time until the time (t2) when the electronic mail is delivered to the mailbox, that is, the delivery time d1 (= t2-t1) is different.
That is, when the traffic is busy, the delivery point time d1 (= t2-t1) becomes long, and when the traffic is idle, the delivery point time d1 (= t2).
-T1) becomes shorter. Also, when the user accesses the mailbox less frequently, the time from the delivery time (t2) at which the email is delivered to the read time (t3) at which the email is read out, that is, the read-out time d2.
When (= t3−t2) becomes long and the access frequency becomes high, the read time d2 (= t3−t2) becomes short.
The e-mail delivered and stored in the mailbox is read out by the user (recipient) and confirmed after its contents are erased, but the delivery time (t
Time required for erasing d3 from 2) to erasing time (t4)
When (= t4−t2) becomes long, the amount of memory used in the storage device such as a hard disk for realizing the function of the mailbox increases, which causes the remaining capacity of the memory, that is, the usable capacity of the memory to decrease.

[0004]

If the delivery time d1 (= t2-t1) becomes long due to traffic congestion,
A comfortable environment for using the network system including the electronic mail system cannot be obtained. In such a case, it may be necessary to change the configuration of the network system or the usage conditions. In order to comfortably use the system, the user's access frequency to the mailbox and the time required for deletion d3 (= t4-t2) from the delivery time (t2) to the deletion time (t4) of the e-mail are also used. Is a factor to consider when determining the system configuration or system usage conditions. For example, since the memory of the storage device such as a hard disk is used to realize the function of the mailbox until the e-mail is deleted, when the time required for erasing d3 is long compared to when it is short, Uses a large amount of memory. Therefore, when the erasing required time d3 is long, a storage device having a larger memory capacity may be required than when the erasing required time d3 is short.

Therefore, the administrator of the electronic mail system, the administrator of the network system incorporating the electronic mail system, or the like must manage the system in order to always use them in a comfortable usage environment. It is necessary to keep track of the operating status. In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic mail system having a function of notifying a system administrator of the operating status of the system.

[0006]

The invention of the present application devised to solve the above problems will now be described. The elements of the present invention can be easily associated with the elements of the embodiments described later. Therefore, the reference numerals of the elements of the embodiment are enclosed in parentheses. The reason why the present invention is described in association with the reference numerals of the embodiments described later is to facilitate understanding of the present invention and not to limit the scope of the present invention to the embodiments. In order to solve the above problems, the electronic mail system of the first invention of the present application is an electronic mail (M
i; i = 1,2, ...) From the transmission time (t1i) to the distribution time (t2
distribution place time calculation means (B1) for calculating the distribution place time (d1i) required up to i), and the distribution place time (d1)
It is characterized by comprising means (J1) for notifying the system administrator of information regarding i).

In the first aspect of the invention having the above characteristics, the "means for notifying the system administrator (J1)" stores and accumulates the data obtained within the fixed time in the mailbox of the system administrator. Method and the data obtained at regular intervals are sent to a predetermined FAX (fax machine)
It is possible to adopt a method of outputting to.

Further, the above-mentioned "time required for delivery (d1i = t2i-) from the time of delivery (t1i) of the electronic mail (Mi) sent and delivered within a certain time to the time of delivery (t2i).
The distribution place time calculating means (B1) "for calculating t1i) is
A size within a preset range, for example, small size small e-mail (Mis; s = 1), medium size e-mail (Mis; s = 2), large size e-mail (Mis; s)
= 3), the delivery time (d1i) can be calculated only for an arbitrarily selected size, or can be calculated for all electronic mails.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the electronic mail system of the second invention of the present application delivers an electronic mail (Mi; i = 1,2, ...) Read within a fixed time. Time (t
2i) to the read time (t3i), the read time required (d2i = t3i-t2i) is calculated, and the system administrator is notified of the read time (d2i). And a means (J2) for doing so.

The "means (J2) for notifying the system administrator" of the second invention having the above characteristics is the same as the method of the "means (J1) for notifying the system administrator" of the first invention. A method etc. can be adopted. Further, the "reading time calculating means (B2)" is the same as the "delivery time calculating means (B1)" of the first aspect of the invention only for the mail (Mi) of an arbitrarily selected size or for all electronic mail. For mail (Mi), the time required for reading (d2i)
Can be configured to calculate

In order to solve the above problems, the electronic mail system of the third invention of the present application is the delivery time of an electronic mail (Mi; i = 1,2, ...) Deleted within a fixed time. (T2
erase required time calculating means (B3) for calculating an erase required time (d3i) required from i) to the erase time (t4i),
And a means (J3) for notifying the system administrator of the information on the time required for erasure (d3i).

The "means for notifying the system administrator (J3)" of the third invention having the above characteristics is the same as the method of the "means for notifying the system administrator (J1)" of the first invention. A method etc. can be adopted. Also, the "erasure time calculation means (B3)" is the same as the "delivery time time calculation means (B1)" of the first aspect of the invention only for the mail (Mi) of an arbitrarily selected size, or for all electronic mail. For mail (Mi), the time required for reading (d2i)
Can be configured to calculate

[0013]

The electronic mail system according to the first aspect of the present invention having the above-described structure has the delivery time (t1i) to the delivery time (t2i) of the electronic mail (Mi) delivered within a fixed time ( It is provided with means for notifying the system administrator of information regarding d1i). As the “information regarding the delivery time (d1i)” notified to the system administrator,
For example, the following information (a) to (c) can be adopted. (a) Delivery time (d1i) itself. (b) The average value (d1a) of the delivery time (d1i). (c) The average value (d1a) and the allowable value of the delivery time (D
Difference from 1).

The information notified to the system administrator is
In the case of (a), the system administrator uses the calculator to calculate the average delivery time (d1i) of each email or the delivery delivery time of each email (d1i). d1a) is compared with the previously prepared allowable value (D1) of the delivery time, and it is determined whether the delivery time (d1i) of each e-mail (Mi) within the certain time is long or short. can do. In addition, it is not always necessary to compare the delivery time (d1i) of the electronic mail with the allowable value, and by knowing how the delivery time changes weekly or monthly, It is possible to manage the operating status of the mail system. That is, for example, if the delivery time (d1i) becomes longer every week or every month, it can be understood that the traffic of the mail system is gradually congested.

The information notified to the system administrator is
In the case of (b), the “means for notifying the system administrator of the information regarding the delivery time (d1i)” is the delivery time average value calculating means for calculating the average value (d1a) of the delivery time (d1i). (E1) and means (J1) for notifying the system administrator of the average value (d1a). In the case of this (b), the system administrator is the average value (d1a) of the delivery time of each notified email.
It is possible to judge whether the average value (d1a) of the delivery time within the fixed time is long or short by comparing with the allowable value (D1) of the delivery time previously created and printed. ..

The information notified to the system administrator is
In the case of (c), the "means for notifying the system administrator of the information regarding the delivery time (d1i)" is the delivery time average value calculating means for calculating the average value (d1a) of the delivery time (d1i). (E1) and the time average value (d1
According to the comparison result of the distribution place time comparing means (H1) for comparing a) with a predetermined distribution place time allowable value (D1) and the distribution place time comparing means (H1), the distribution place time average value (d1a) ) Has exceeded the delivery time allowable value (D1), means for notifying the system administrator (J1). In the case of this (c), the system administrator recognizes the difference between the average value (d1a) and the allowable value (D1) of the delivery time of each notified e-mail, and thereby the delivery time within the fixed time Average of (d1
You can immediately determine whether a) is long or short.

The electronic mail system according to the second aspect of the present invention having the above-described structure is capable of reading electronic mail (M
It is provided with means for notifying the system administrator of the information regarding the required reading time (d2i) from the distribution time (t2i) to the reading time (t3i) of i). The following information (d) to (f) is available as the information about the reading time (d2i) notified to the system administrator. (d) Reading time (d2i) itself. (e) Average value (d2a) of reading time (d2i). (f) The average value (d2a) and the allowable reading time (D
Difference from 2).

The information notified to the system administrator is
In case of (d) ~ (f), the system administrator is notified of each (d) ~
From the information of (f), it is the same as in (a) to (c) of the first aspect of the present invention, it is determined whether the delivery time (d1i) or its average value (d1a) within the certain time is long or short. , It is possible to judge whether the read-out required time (d2i) or its average value (d2a) within the fixed time is long or short.

The electronic mail system according to the third aspect of the present invention having the above-described configuration is capable of deleting electronic mail (M
i) is provided with means for notifying the system administrator of information regarding the required erase time (d3i = t4i-t2i) from the delivery time (t2i) to the erase time (t4i). The following information (g) to (i) is available as the information regarding the erase required time (d3i) notified to the system administrator. (g) Erasure time (d3i) itself. (h) Average value (d3a) of time required for erasure (d3i). (i) The average value (d3a) and the allowable erase time (D)
Difference from 3).

The information notified to the system administrator is
In the case of (g) ~ (i), the system administrator has notified each (g) ~
From the information of (i), in the same manner as in (a) to (c) of the first invention, it is determined whether the delivery time (d1i) or its average value (d1a) within the certain time is long or short. It is possible to determine whether the erase required time (d3i) or its average value (d3a) within the fixed time is long or short.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the electronic mail system of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a detailed explanatory view (functional block diagram) of main functions of an electronic mail system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an example of hardware having the functions of FIG. 1 (that is, an electronic mail system is provided). Network system) U, FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram (software functional block diagram) of the software (program) function of the mail server MS shown in FIG. 2 and the hardware function used by the software, FIG. 4-6
6 is a flowchart showing a process executed by software of the mail server MS.

In FIG. 1, the electronic mail system U is
Each means A1 to A5, B1 to B3, C1 to C3, E described below
1 to E3, G1 to G3, H1 to H3, J1 to J3,
Each of these means A1 to J3 is described subsequently to them:
After the (colon), it has the function of explaining with a line break. E-mail size detection means A1: E-mail Mi (i = 1,2,
...; i detects the size of a code for distinguishing a large number of electronic mails (capacity of used memory). Email transmission time detection means A2: Email transmission time t1i (i =
1,2, ...) is detected. Mail delivery time storage means A3: mail delivery time t2i (i =
1, 2, ...) are detected and stored. Mail read time detection means A4: mail read time t3i (i =
1,2, ...) is detected. Email deletion time detection means A5: Email deletion time t4i (i =
1,2, ...) is detected.

E-mail delivery time calculation means B1: E-mail delivery time according to the mail delivery time t1i input from the mail delivery time detection means A2 and the mail delivery time t2i input from the mail delivery time storage means A3. Calculate d1i = t2i-t1i. Mail reading time calculating means B2: Mail reading time d2i = t3i according to mail delivery time t2i input from the mail delivery time storage means A3 and mail reading time t3i input from the mail read time storage means A4.
-Calculate t2i. E-mail deletion time calculating means B3: E-mail deletion time d3i = t4i according to the mail delivery time t2i input from the mail delivery time storage means A3 and the mail deletion time t4i input from the mail deletion time detection means A5.
-Calculate t2i.

Mail delivery time classification storage means C1: According to the mail size signal input from the mail size detection means A1, the mail delivery time d1i input from the mail delivery time calculation means B1 is classified and stored. To do. That is, according to a preset mail size of the email, for example, a small-sized email Mi, a medium-sized email Mi, and a large-sized email Mi belonging to a preset memory capacity range, the mail delivery time Classify and store d1i. That is, a small-sized email Mis (s = 1; the subscript s indicates the email size of the classified email, s = 1 to 3, where s = 1 is a small size and s = 2 is a medium size. , S = 3 means large size.)
Mail delivery time d1is (s = 1), medium size e-mail Mis (s = 2) mail delivery time d1is (s =
2), and the mail delivery time d1is (s = 3) of the large-sized electronic mail Mis (s = 3), which is classified and stored.

E-mail delivery average required time calculating means E1: calculates an average value d1as (s = 1 to 3) of the mail delivery time d1is input from the mail delivery time classification storage means C1. Allowed average value of mail delivery time storage means G1: preset allowable value of average mail delivery time D1s (s = 1 to 3)
I remember. Comparison means H1: Average value d1as of the mail delivery time d1is
(S = 1 to 3) and the mail delivery average required time allowance D1s
(S = 1 to 3) is compared, and if d1as ≧ D1s, a signal is output. Notifying Means J1: The e-mail manager indicates that the average value d1as (s = 1 to 3) of the mail delivery time exceeds the allowable value D1s (s = 1 to 3) in response to the input signal from the comparing means H1. To notify.

Mail reading time classification storage means C2: According to the mail size signal inputted from the mail size detecting means, the mail reading time d2i inputted from the mail reading time calculating means B2 is classified and stored. To do. E-mail reading average required time calculating means E2: mail reading time d2 inputted from the mail reading time classification storing means C2
The average value d2as (s = 1 to 3) of is (s = 1 to 3) is calculated. Allowed average value of mail reading time storage means G2: Stores a preset allowable value of mail reading average time D2s. Comparing means H2: The average value d2as (s = 1 to 3) of the mail reading time d2is (s = 1 to 3) is compared with the mail reading average required time allowable value D2s (s = 1 to 3) to d2as. When ≧ D2s, a signal is output. Notifying means J2: In response to the input signal from the comparing means H2, the e-mail administrator is notified that the average value d2as (s = 1 to 3) of the mail reading time exceeds the allowable value D2s (s = 1 to 3). To notify.

E-mail deletion time classification storage means C3: According to the mail size signal input from the mail size detection means, the mail deletion time d3i input from the mail deletion time calculation means B3 is classified and stored. .. E-mail erasing average time calculating means E3: E-mail erasing time d3 inputted from the erasing time classification storing means C3
The average value d3as (s = 1 to 3) of is (s = 1 to 3) is calculated. Allowable average time required for erasing mail erasing value storage means G3: Stores a preset allowable value for erasing average time required for erasing mail D3s. Comparison means H3: E-mail deletion time d3is (s = 1 to
3) The average value d3as (s = 1 to 3) is compared with the mail deletion average required time allowable value D3s (s = 1 to 3), and d3as ≧ D3s
In the case of, a signal is output. Notifying means J3: E-mail management that the average value d3as (s = 1 to 3) of mail deletion required time exceeds the allowable value D3s (s = 1 to 3) in response to the input signal from the comparing means H3. Notify the person.

FIG. 2 shows a network system U provided with the electronic mail system having the functions shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the network system U is
A LAN (local area network) 1 and a LAN 2 connected by a router R are provided.

A mail server MS, a print server PS, an EWS (engineering workstation), etc. are connected to the LANs 1 and 2, respectively. Since the area of the paper is limited, the LAN
Although only one EWS is shown as a device connected to 2, a mail server is also connected to LAN2, and other devices than those shown are also connected to LAN1 and LAN2. .. The print server includes a computer body, a keyboard, a display, a hard disk, and a printer, and the EWS includes a computer body, a keyboard, a display, a hard disk, and a mouse. ..

The EWS has an editor function (document creation, editing, registration, reading, etc.) and a function of storing or transmitting a file created and edited by the editor function.

The mail server MS is composed of a hardware part and a software part. The hardware part includes a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM
(Read-only memory), RAM (random access memory), I / O (input / output interface), and other computer main body, and mechanical components such as a keyboard, display, and hard disk connected to the computer main body. The software is a program stored in the ROM or the hard disk. Then, the mail server MS can realize various functions by the functions of the hardware and the software using the functions. That is, the mail server MS composed of the hardware and software implements the various functions shown in FIG. 1 by executing the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 3 shows the software function of the mail server MS (here, the software function means "the function of the hardware used by the software and the function of the software itself"). 2 is a block diagram showing the above, that is, a software functional block diagram. Figure 3
In the above, the mail server MS includes a LAN interface 2 connected to the transmission line 1 and a LAN protocol interpretation unit 3 connected to the LAN interface 2. The LAN interface 2 is a transmission line 1
The modulated received signal input from the
A reception unit 2a that converts received data that can be processed by the N protocol interpretation unit 3 and the LAN protocol interpretation unit 3
2 which modulates the transmission data from the transmitter and outputs it to the transmission line
have b.

Further, the mail server MS includes a data storage unit 4, and the data storage unit 4 includes a mailbox 4a, a database 4b, a diagnostic data recording table 4c, and the like. Further, the mail server MS transmits / receives data between the data storage unit 4 and the LAN protocol interpretation unit 3, an inter-mail server transfer correspondence unit 5, a user agent correspondence unit 6, and a mail system diagnosis unit 7, Is equipped with.

The LAN protocol interpreter 3 decomposes the received data from the receiver 2a into headers (identifiers), content (contents), etc. according to the communication protocol of the LAN 1 and receives necessary data (data corresponding to the content. ) Has a function of taking out only. Also, the L
The AN protocol interpretation unit 3 uses the headers (identifiers) of the transmission data from the mail server transfer support unit 5, the user agent support unit 6, the mail system diagnosis unit 7 and the like according to the communication protocols of LANs (Local Area Networks) 1 and 2. Etc., and has a function of assembling data in a format required for transmission.

The mailbox 4a of the data storage unit 4
The mail database 4b and the mail database 4b are both known functions in the conventional electronic mail system, and the diagnostic data recording table 4c is a portion for storing data used for diagnosis of the electronic mail system.

The mail server-to-mail server transfer corresponding unit 5, the user agent (mail posting / delivery function) corresponding unit 6, and the mail system diagnostic unit 7 are flowcharts described later (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 6). This is a part for performing the processing shown in. The mail server MS having the hardware shown in FIG. 2 and the software function of FIG. 3 (the function of the hardware used by the software and the function of the software itself) is processed by the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. This realizes the main functions shown in detail in FIG. This will be described next.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the electronic mail system of the present invention having the above software function will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowcharts 5 and 6. Figure 4
3 is a flow chart showing a flow when software of the mail server MS, that is, a program is executed, which is a process performed by the mail server transfer support unit 5 of FIG. In FIG. 4, when the mail server MS receives a mail from another mail server, step S1
At, the delivery time is delivered to the recipient's mailbox, and the delivery time t2i (i = 1, 2, ...) At that time is detected and stored. Next, in step S2, the transmission time t1i from the received mail
Read (i = 1,2, ...).

Next, in step S3, the mail delivery time d1i (= t2i-t1i; i = 1,2, ...) Is calculated and classified by mail size (small size, medium size, large size). And stored in the diagnostic data recording table (that is, hard disk) 4c. In this case, if the mail delivery time is represented by d1is, it will be s for small mail.
= 1 and s = 2 for medium size emails,
For large emails, s = 3. Then, the processing at the time of accepting the forwarded mail ends.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a flow when the software of the mail server MS, that is, the program is executed, which is a process performed by the user agent corresponding section 6 of FIG. In FIG. 5, upon receipt of the user request, the mail server MS determines in step S11 whether it is a call request. If yes, go to step S12.

In step S12, a reception postmark (mail transmission time) t1i (i = 1, 2, ...) Is added to the mail. Next, in step S13, it is determined whether the recipient's mailbox is on the same server. If no, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the received mail is transferred to the mail server having the corresponding mailbox. Then, the process ends. If yes (Y) in step S13, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the received mail is delivered to the recipient's mailbox, and the delivery time t2 is detected.
Then, the process proceeds to the next step S16. In step S16, the mail delivery time d1i (i = 1, 2, ...) Is calculated,
The mail is classified according to the size of the mail and stored in the diagnostic data recording table (that is, hard disk) 4c. In this case, if the mail delivery time is expressed as d1is, s = 1 for small size mail, s = 2 for medium size mail, and s for large size mail. = 3
Is. Then, the processing at the time of accepting the outgoing call request is ended.

When the result in step S11 is NO, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, it is determined whether the request is a mail read request. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the mail is read from the mailbox and the read time t3 is detected. And
Move to the next step S19. In step S19, the mail reading time d2i (i = 1, 2, ...) Is calculated, sorted by mail size and stored in the diagnostic data recording table (that is, hard disk) 4c. in this case,
Expressing the mail retrieval time as d2is, s = 1 for small size mail and s = 1 for medium size mail.
s = 2, and s = 3 for large emails.
Then, the process at the time of accepting the mail read request ends.

If the answer is NO in step S17, the process proceeds to step S20. In step S20, it is determined whether the request is a mail deletion request. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the mail is deleted from the mailbox and the deletion time t4 is detected. And
Then, the process proceeds to next step S22. In step S22, the mail erasing time d3i (i = 1, 2, ...) Is calculated, sorted by mail size, and stored in the diagnostic data recording table (that is, hard disk) 4c. in this case,
Expressing the time required for deleting emails as d3is, s = 1 for small emails and for medium emails
s = 2, and s = 3 for large emails.
Then, the process at the time of accepting the email deletion request is ended.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow when the software of the mail server MS, that is, the program, is executed, which is the process performed by the mail system diagnostic section 7 of FIG. In FIG. 6, the mail server M
The mail system diagnostic unit 7 of S is activated at a predetermined time. When the mail system diagnostic section 7 starts,
In step S31, the recorded delivery time d1is (s = 1,2,3, where s = 1 is a small size mail, s =
Average values d1as, d2as, and d3as for each size are calculated and stored from 2 for medium size mail, s = 3 for large size mail), read-out time d2is, and deletion-use time d3is.

Next, in step S32, s = 1 is set.
Next, in step S33, the average value d of the delivery time of the email corresponding to s = 1, that is, the email of a small size is d.
1as is compared with the allowable value D1s to determine whether d1as> D1s. If yes, the process of step S34 is performed and then the process proceeds to step S35, and if no, the process directly proceeds to step S35. In step S34, the system management is performed such that the average value d1as of the mail delivery time for a small size (size corresponding to s = 1) exceeds the allowable value D1s, that is, the traffic of the mail system is congested. Notify the person.

Next, in step S35, the average value d2as of the read and use time of a small size e-mail corresponding to s = 1 and its allowable value D2s are compared, and d2as is compared.
> Determine if it is D2s. If yes, step S36.
After that, the process proceeds to step S37, and if NO, the process directly proceeds to step S37. In the step S36, the average value d2as of the mail reading time for a small size (size corresponding to s = 1) exceeds the allowable value D2s,
That is, the system administrator is notified that the frequency of user access is low.

Next, in step S37, the average value d3as of the erasing time required for the size corresponding to s = 1, that is, the small size e-mail is compared with the allowable value D3s, and d3as is compared.
> Determine if it is D3s. If yes, step S38.
After that, the process proceeds to step S39, and if NO, the process directly proceeds to step S39. In the step S38, the average value d3as of the mail erasing time for a small size (size corresponding to s = 1) exceeds the allowable value D3s,
That is, the system administrator is notified that the capacity of the memory used as the mailbox is increasing.

Next, in step S39, s = s + 1 is set. In this case, the value of s is 1 to 2. Next, in step S40, it is determined whether s = 4. If NO, the process returns to step S33. Then, the step S33
~ The process of S38 is repeated. However, the previous step S33-
The process of S38 is a process corresponding to the case of s = 1, that is, a process relating to a small-sized electronic mail, but the processes of steps S33 to S38 this time are the processes corresponding to the case of s = 2, That is, the process is for a medium-sized electronic mail.

Next, in step S39, s = s + 1 is set. In that case, the value of s will be 2 to 3. Then, in the next step S40, it is determined whether or not s = 4, the result is NO and the process returns to step S33. Steps S33-S
At 38, processing corresponding to the case where s = 3, that is, processing relating to large-sized electronic mail is performed. Then, in step S39, s = s + 1 is set. In that case, the value of s will be 3 to 4. Next, in step S40
At, it is determined whether s = 4. This time, the answer is yes, and the mail system diagnostic process ends.

Although the embodiment of the electronic mail system of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and does not depart from the invention described in the claims. It is possible to make various small design changes. For example, in the present invention, it is possible to manage only one or two of the delivery service time d1i, the read service time d2i, and the erase service time d3i without managing all of them. Further, it is possible to manage all the required times by collecting all the emails together without classifying the emails by size. Further, it is possible to manage the traffic for each originating area by managing the delivery time by the originating area.

[0050]

As described above, the electronic mail system of the present invention is
The system administrator can be notified of the operating status of the system. Therefore, the administrator of the electronic mail system, the administrator of the network system including the electronic mail system, or the like can always grasp the operating status of the system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of functions included in an electronic mail system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network device that realizes the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram (software functional block diagram) showing software functions of a mail server used in the same implementation (functions of hardware used by software and functions of software itself).

4 is a flowchart showing a flow when software of a mail server used in the same embodiment, that is, a program, is executed, and is a diagram showing processing performed by the mail server transfer correspondence unit 5 of FIG.

5 is a flow chart showing a flow when software of a mail server used in the same embodiment, that is, a program, is executed, and is a view showing a process performed by the user agent corresponding part 6 of FIG.

6 is a flowchart showing a flow when software of a mail server used in the same embodiment, that is, a program is executed, and is a diagram showing a process performed by the mail system diagnostic section 7 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

B1 ... Delivery time calculation means, B2 ... Readout time calculation means, B3 ... Elimination time calculation means, d1i ... Delivery time, d2i ... Readout time, d3i ... Erasure time, J1,
J2, J3 ... Notification means, Mi ... E-mail, t1i ... Origination time, t2i ... Delivery time, t3i ... Read time, t4i ... Erase time,

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An electronic mail (M
i; i = 1,2, ...) From the transmission time (t1i) to the distribution time (t2
i) A distribution place time calculating means (B1) for calculating the distribution place time (d1i) required, and a means (J1) for notifying the system administrator of information regarding the delivery place time (d1i). An e-mail system featuring. 2. The time required for reading (d2i) from the delivery time (t2i) to the reading time (t3i) of the electronic mail (Mi; i = 1,2, ...) Read within a fixed time. An electronic mail system comprising: a read-out time calculating means (B2) for calculating the above; and a means (J2) for notifying the system administrator of information regarding the read-out time (d2i). 3. An e-mail (M
i; i = 1,2, ...) Deletion time (t4)
i) Equipped with an erasure required time calculating means (B3) for calculating the erasure required time (d3i), and a means (J3) notifying the system administrator of information regarding the erasure required time (d3i). An e-mail system featuring.