JPH06326706A - Composite network management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To display a large scale network in an easily understandable way by displaying network groups grouped hierarchically for each hierarchy. CONSTITUTION:The composite network management system PNWMS is provide with a display device 1, a display control section 2, an operation section 3 and a database 4. Then the PNWMS is connected to any network entity included in the composite network being a management object via a connection unit. The composite network to be managed is grouped into plural network groups each including at least one network entity or over as a basic unit. Moreover, each grouped network group itself in a hierarchical way so as to belong to a higher layer network group and the display is executed on the basis of each layer. The network group grouped in a hierarchical way is stored in the database 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Industrial field of application] With the development of communication technology, LAN
(Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network)
Information communication networks such as The present invention mainly relates to a network management system that manages such an information communication network. The present invention also relates to a network management system applicable to a network other than an information communication network, for example, a power supply network, an oil transportation network, a computer network, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Taking an information communication network as an example, L
The scale of networks has been increasing due to the interconnection between AN and LAN, the interconnection between LAN and WAN, and the diversification of communication devices connectable to the network. The conventional network management system manages only a specific network, for example, a LAN of a certain department in a company. However, in response to the recent increase in the scale of networks, it is desired that the network management system also be a management system that can appropriately manage a large-scale network and can sufficiently cope with network changes and the like. There is.

[0003]

By the way, a system for managing a large-scale network needs a display device for showing the large-scale network well to an administrator (operator of the management system). However, the larger the network becomes, the more complicated the connection structure of the network becomes. Therefore, a display device for displaying the complicated connection structure in an easy-to-understand manner has not been realized.

Further, although the display capacity of the display device is limited, the content to be displayed increases as the network becomes larger, so that a large-scale network is displayed on the display device having a limited display capacity. If you try, there is a drawback that the display is not good. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a network management system including a display device capable of easily displaying a large-scale network.

[0005]

The invention according to claim 1 is
A system for managing a complex network including a plurality of network entities, the complex network being grouped into a plurality of network groups including at least one or more network entities with the network entity as a basic unit, and grouped. Further, the network group also stores a network group storage unit, a display unit, a display content designating unit, and the display content designating unit which hierarchically group and store such that they belong to an upper layer network group, and an arbitrary network group is designated, Display control means for reading the network group or network entity of the next lower layer belonging to the network group from the network group storage means and displaying the read network group on the display means; When any one of the network groups displayed on the display means is designated by the indicated content designation means, the network group of the next lower layer belonging to the network group designated by the network group storage means. Alternatively, it is characterized by including display content updating means for reading out the network entity and displaying it on the display means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the complex network management system according to the first aspect, the network groups or network entities displayed on the display means are such that the connection relationship between the network groups or the network entities can be understood. It is characterized by being displayed. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the complex network management system according to the first or second aspect, the display content designating means is a view connection for indicating the connection relationship of the displayed network group to another network group. Signal input means, based on the input of the view connection signal, the network group storage means is read to check whether or not there is another network group connected to the displayed network group, and the other connected If there is a network group, that network group is added to the network group currently displayed on the display means and displayed, and the connection relationship between the currently displayed network group and the additionally displayed network group is displayed. View connection display It is characterized in further comprising a control means.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3.
5. The composite network management system according to any one of 1 to 3, further comprising hierarchical display control means for displaying the hierarchical structure of the network groups stored in the network group storage means on the display means in a tree shape. To do.

[0008]

According to the invention described in claim 1, the display means includes:
The network group or network entity in the next lower layer belonging to the specified network group is displayed. That is, since the network groups that are hierarchically grouped are displayed for each hierarchy, it is possible to sequentially display the network groups on the display unit having a limited display capacity. Therefore, the composite network can be confirmed hierarchically, and the content of the network group desired to be displayed can be selected and displayed.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the connection relationship between the network groups can be confirmed. According to the invention described in claim 3, it is possible to display the connection relationship between the displayed network group and another network group, and to confirm the connection relationship between the network groups.

According to the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to confirm the hierarchical structure and easily confirm how the network group desired to be known is positioned in the complex network.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a composite network management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This management system includes a display unit 1 for graphically displaying a complex network to be managed, a display control unit 2 connected to the display unit 1 for controlling display contents on the display unit 1, and a display. Control unit 2
Is connected to the display control unit 2 and the operation unit 3 for giving a display content designation signal to the display control unit, and the content to be displayed, that is, the composite network is hierarchically grouped in advance. And a database 4 in which the stored contents are stored.

The complex network management system shown in FIG. 1 is normally connected to any network entity included in the complex network to be managed through a connection unit (not shown). FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of a composite network managed by an embodiment of the present invention.
It is grouped hierarchically. The contents of FIG. 2 are stored in the database 4 shown in FIG.

The configuration of the composite network to be managed will be described with reference to FIG. In this complex network,
For example, six network entities (“network entity” is a generic term for LAN entity, WAN entity, etc.) NWa, NWb, NW.
c, NWd, NWe and NWf are included. The network entity NWa includes a plurality of nodes 5. The node 5 is a general term for various elements physically connected to a network such as a computer.
Each of the other network entities NWb to NWf also has a plurality of nodes (indicated by circles in FIG. 2).
It is included.

The predetermined network entities are connected to each other via the connection device 6. Specifically, the network entity NWa is connected to NWb,
NWa is also connected to NWc. Furthermore, the network entity NWc is connected to NWd. And the network entity NWd is
e and NWf are connected to each other.

One of the features of this embodiment is that the composite networks having the above-mentioned configuration are hierarchically grouped. That is, the network entity NW
a and NWb are network group NG1, network entity NWc is network group NG2, and network entity NW is
d, NWe, and NWf are set as the network group NG3. Furthermore, the network groups NG2 and NG3 belong to the network group NG4. Also, network groups NG1 and NG4
Belongs to ROOT, which is a network group that includes the entire complex network.

As described above, the complex network to be managed is grouped into a plurality of network groups including at least one or more network entities with the network entity as a basic unit, and the grouped network group itself is in the upper layer. One of the features of this embodiment is that they are hierarchically grouped so as to belong to a network group.

The network groups hierarchically grouped are stored in the database 4 as described above. Note that the grouping shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example, and any network entity may be grouped so as to belong to the same group.
The point is that the complex networks to be managed should be grouped in a form that is easy for the administrator to handle.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing an example of display contents of the display 1 shown in FIG. Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, a method of displaying a network in this embodiment will be described. The administrator inputs a signal designating a network group to be displayed from the operation unit 3.
For example, in order to display the entire managed complex network, a signal indicating that the network group ROOT should be displayed is input.

In response to this, the display control unit 2 reads all the network groups of the next lower layer belonging to the network group ROOT from the database 4, and the display unit 1
To display. This display content is the content shown in FIG. 3A. Specifically, in the network group ROOT,
It is displayed that the network groups NG1 and NG4 belong and that the network groups NG1 and NG4 are connected by the connection device. The fact that the network groups NG1 and NG4 are connected is represented by the fact that they are connected by a solid line 7.

In the case where the network groups NG1 and NG4 are connected by the connection device,
Even if there is not only one connection as shown in FIG. 3 but also two or more connections, both are connected by a single solid line 7 as shown in FIG. 3A. Of course, instead of such a display,
If there are multiple connections, the number of solid lines 7 may be increased by the number of connections. Alternatively, the thickness of the solid line 7 may be increased as the number of connections increases.

The administrator sees the contents of FIG. 3A and finds that the network groups NG1 and NG are included in the complex network.
4 is included and both are connected by the connection device. Next, when the administrator wants to know the detailed contents of, for example, NG4 among the network groups displayed in FIG. 3A, he inputs a signal designating the network group NG4 from the operation unit 3 in FIG. Then,
The display control unit 2 reads the network group of the next lower layer belonging to the network group NG4 from the database 4 and displays it on the display unit 1. This display content is shown in FIG. 3B.

As shown in FIG. 3B, NG2 and NG3 are displayed as the network group of the next lower layer belonging to the network group NG4. in this case,
Since the network groups NG2 and NG3 are not directly connected by the connecting device, they are not connected by a solid line. Then the administrator, for example, the network group N
When it is desired to know the more detailed configuration of G3, a signal designating the network group NG3 is input from the operation unit 3 of FIG.

In response to this, the display control unit 2 reads all the network entities of the next lower layer belonging to the network group NG3 from the database 4 and displays them on the display 1. This display content is shown in FIG. 3C. Figure 3
As shown in C, three network entities NW which are basic units belonging to the network group NG3
d, NWe, NWf are displayed, and their connection relationship is also displayed.

As described above, the composite network is hierarchically grouped as a network group. Since the hierarchically grouped network groups are sequentially displayed on the display unit 1, the display capacity of the display unit 1 is limited, and even if the scale of the complex network to be managed is large, the network groups can be appropriately displayed sequentially. It can be displayed. Therefore, the administrator can easily confirm the configuration of the network group or network entity of the complex network that the administrator wants to know.

This embodiment is further provided with the following functions. When, for example, FIG. 3B is displayed on the display device 1, the administrator may want to know whether the displayed network group NG2 or NG3 is connected to another network group. In such a case, the connection relationship of the displayed network group NG2 or NG3 to another network group can be displayed.

In this case, the administrator inputs a view connection signal to the effect that he / she wants to know the connection relation from the operation unit 3. In response to this, the display control unit 2 searches the database 4 to determine whether there is another network group directly connected to the network group NG2 or NG3. Then, if there is another connected network group, it is read out and displayed on the display unit 1. An example of this display is shown in FIG. 4A. As shown in FIG. 4A, it is displayed that the network group NG1 is connected to the network group NG2. In this display, the dashed lines 8 indicate that the network groups NG2 and NG1 are connected.

The connection relationship is not shown by broken lines, but
It may be a solid line or a line of a specific color in the case of a color display. Further, when the display unit 1 displays the connection relationship of the network entities shown in FIG. 3C, for example, when it is desired to know whether or not these network entities have a connection relationship to another network group, It is displayable.

Also in this case, when the view connection signal is given from the operation unit 3 when the contents shown in FIG. 3C are displayed on the display unit 1, the contents displayed on the display unit 1 are as shown in FIG. 4B.
Switch to. As shown in FIG. 4B, in addition to the display content of FIG. 3C, the network group NG2 is additionally displayed,
Moreover, the network group NG2 and the network entity NWd are connected by the broken line 8. Therefore,
It can be confirmed that the network group NG2 is connected to the network entity NWd.

Similarly, when a view connection signal is input when the network group NG1 is displayed on the display unit 1, the display has the contents shown in FIG. 4C, and the network entity NWa has the network contents. It can be confirmed that the group NG4 is connected. The above-mentioned display of the connection relation can be displayed regardless of the hierarchy of the network group displayed on the display.

As described above, the connection relation indicating how the displayed network group or network entity is connected to another network group is displayed based on the view connection signal. The system is easy to check. The system according to this embodiment further includes the following functions.

As shown in FIG. 5, the function is a function of displaying the hierarchical structure of the network groups in a tree structure. The administrator of the complex network can display the contents displayed on the display 1 such as those shown in FIGS.
Check the network structure, but if the network scale becomes large and the number of layers of network groups increases, it becomes difficult to know which network group the network group currently displayed on the display unit 1 belongs to. There is. Alternatively, you may want to check the hierarchy to which you belong, even if you do not know it. In such a case, the administrator inputs an instruction signal for displaying the hierarchical structure of the network groups in a tree shape from the operation unit 3. In response to this, the display control unit 2
Causes the display unit 1 to display the hierarchical structure in a tree shape as shown in FIG. 5, based on the hierarchical structure of the network groups stored in the database 4. In this case, preferably, when the network group displayed on the display unit 1 before the display shown in FIG. 5 is NG2, only NG2 is displayed in a different color. Therefore, it can be confirmed to which part of the hierarchical structure the network group displayed before that belongs.

In addition to the embodiments described above, the present invention is
Various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

[0033]

According to the composite network management system of the first aspect, a large-scale composite network is displayed in a hierarchically grouped network group unit by using a display device having a limited capacity. Because you can
It is easy for the administrator to confirm the structure and contents of the network.

According to the invention described in claims 2 and 3, it is possible to provide a system in which the connection relationship between network groups can be easily confirmed. According to the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to confirm the hierarchical structure of the composite network, and it is possible to easily grasp to which hierarchy of the whole the network group displayed on the display belongs.

Therefore, by using the composite network management system according to the present invention, network management is easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a composite network management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a composite network which is a management target of this embodiment. In this figure, an example is shown in which complex networks are hierarchically grouped.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of network groups hierarchically grouped in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of a connection relationship (view connection) of a displayed network group to another network group.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example in which a hierarchical structure of network groups is displayed in a tree shape.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 display device 2 display control unit 3 operation unit 4 database 5 node NWa to NWf network entity NG1 to NG4, ROOT network group

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location H04L 29/14 9371-5K H04L 13/00 313

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A system for managing a composite network including a plurality of network entities, wherein the composite network is grouped into a plurality of network groups including at least one or more network entities with the network entity as a basic unit, And also the grouped network groups,
Network group storage means for hierarchically grouping and storing so as to belong to an upper network group, display means, display content designation means, and when any network group is designated by the display content designation means, the network group storage means Of the network group or the network entity of the next lower layer belonging to the network group from the display control means for displaying on the display means, and the network group displayed on the display means by the display content designating means. When any one of the network groups is designated, it belongs to the network group designated by the network group storage means 1
A composite network management system, comprising: display content updating means for reading out a network group or network entity in a lower hierarchy and displaying the read network content on the display means. 2. The complex network management system according to claim 1, wherein the network groups or network entities displayed on the display means are displayed so that a connection relationship between network groups or network entities can be understood. It is what 3. The composite network management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display content designation means is a view connection signal input means for indicating a connection relationship of the displayed network group to another network group. Based on the input of the view connection signal, the network group storage means is read to check whether there is another network group connected to the displayed network group, and the other network group connected is In some cases, the view connection display for adding the network group to the network group currently displayed on the display means and displaying the network group and displaying the connection relationship between the network group currently displayed and the additionally displayed network group Control means It is characterized in that comprises further. 4. The composite network management system according to claim 1, wherein the hierarchical structure of the network groups stored in the network group storage means is displayed in a tree shape on the display means. It further comprises a display control means.