TW201633811A - Method and system of management for multiple devices over network - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosure is related to a method and a system of management for multiple devices over network. For the purpose of configuration or firmware synchronization for a plurality of devices within a network segment, in response to an operator's management, the system allows an operator to optionally select the nodes within the network operating as different roles such as a master, synchronization-configuration device, and slave. A selected node being the master is installed with a web-based management mechanism, and therefore is remotely accessible. The management program initiates a management interface in response to a management link. The management interface allows the operator to instruct the master to synchronize its configuration value to the other selected nodes. Alternatively, through the master, one of the nodes operates is selected to be the synchronization-configuration device, and instructed to share its configuration to the other nodes. Through this management mechanism, the plurality of nodes within the network segment can be synchronized for completing their configuration, or including firmware, synchronization simultaneously.

Description

Multi-device network management method and system

The present invention is a management method and system for a network device, and more particularly, a multi-device network management method and system that can synchronize set values or include firmware between a plurality of devices.

In a network system, especially an industrial-grade network system, a network management mechanism is provided, which uses a host equipped with a management tool to access each network node for management setting by a specific communication protocol, and the network node It can be a network device such as a general network router or a switch, or a computer system in a specific factory area and various industrial equipment. When the network administrator enters the host where the management tool is installed, the network can obtain information about each node on the network.

However, such management mechanisms cannot set or change the devices in a remotely managed manner. Once the devices in the network system need to change the configuration and firmware update, the conventional techniques are used. It is for the operator to personally operate each device host and perform the setting by operating the setting tool.

In order to simplify the configuration process or update the devices in the network system extensively, in order to simplify the setting process, the general practice is to create an update file through a software program, and shorten the device by importing and changing the settings and updates. The time spent directly setting the settings yourself. However, this type of approach still does not rule out the need to perform updates before going to each device in person, or to update each device individually through the network.

Another conventional technology provides the function of updating a plurality of other devices in the relevant network segment through a host, and the specific package software is installed in the host, and is limited by the working environment of the host, and the operator operates the software package in the host computer. The remaining devices can be synchronized, such as network configuration settings, firmware version updates, and more.

Different from the prior art, the multi-device network management method and system are disclosed, and the multi-device network management method can be applied to a multi-device network system. The devices in this system are built with computer programs compatible with the management mechanism disclosed in the present invention. The system provides the operator to remotely select and enter a device in the network as a command device, according to operator management. The purpose of the decision is to synchronize the configuration settings or firmware of the device to other devices; or select a device as a synchronization setting device, and then instruct the configuration settings or firmware of the device to be synchronized with other devices. .

In one embodiment, a device in the network system carries a management server program, so that the operator can manage other devices in the network system through the management server, including sharing and synchronization functions. The management server program described above is a kind of A program that provides a management interface across platforms, such as a program that provides web services. This device can be used as a command device. The remote device operated by the operator is not limited to a specific operating system and can be managed through a web browser. In another mode, when the operator chooses to enter a device, this is the command device, and then another device in the domain can be selected through the management interface therein, and the device is used as a synchronization setting device to indicate the configuration setting of the device or It is the firmware that is synchronized with other devices.

According to an embodiment, a multi-device network management method is provided. The method embodiment includes: the system first receiving a management connection, connecting a management server of a node device that receives the management connection, and starting a management interface, where A user authentication procedure is executed, and the node devices in the domain are started to be scanned, and then the scan information is listed in the management interface to learn information about multiple node devices in the network domain. Because the system can be decided according to the management connection The role of each node device, such as a node device selected to receive a management connection, such as a command device, can synchronize its own configuration settings or firmware to other node devices; or another device device can be designated as a synchronization setting through the command device. The device synchronizes the configuration settings or firmware in the synchronization setting device with other node devices. The present invention performs the comprehensive or partial device configuration setting and firmware synchronization function through the devices of these different roles.

In this method embodiment, the system receives a signal that selects a node device having a management server program or another node device as a device to synchronize or share settings, and receives a signal for selecting a node device to be synchronized, when the designation is completed. After that, the synchronization set value or firmware is executed on the device to be synchronized. Wherein, when a certain node device is selected and completed through the management interface, the node device may be in the role of a command device, wherein the set value or firmware will be synchronized with the selected synchronization setting device; and when entering the command device through the management interface And selecting another node device as the sharing setting device, the node device operates as a synchronization setting device, wherein the set value will share the device synchronized with the selected synchronization, such device as the executing device.

In an embodiment of a multi-device network management system, the system operates in a specific role according to the management purpose of the operator and the selected connection object, for example, a node device of the main connection management is a command device, and the command device is used. The node device that specifies the shared set value or firmware is the synchronization setting device, and the other node devices that accept the set value or firmware synchronization are the executing devices.

The command device initiates a management interface for providing a set command device, or selecting another node device to synchronize the firmware or set value to other network nodes in the local area network. The synchronization setting device is configured to perform a relay synchronization function, allowing the sharing of its own set value to be transmitted to other network nodes.

This provides a management mechanism that can simultaneously synchronize multiple devices.

In order to further understand the technology, method and effect of the present invention in order to achieve the intended purpose, reference should be made to the detailed description and drawings of the present invention. Understand, of course The drawings and the annexed drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and description, and are not intended to limit the invention.

10‧‧‧Computer equipment

101‧‧‧Command device

102‧‧‧Execution device

103‧‧‧Command device

104‧‧‧Synchronization setting device

105‧‧‧Execution device

20‧‧‧Network

201‧‧‧gate device

202‧‧‧Dynamic host setting server

203‧‧‧Command device

205,206‧‧‧Synchronization setting device

204,207,208,209,210,211,212‧‧‧executor

30‧‧‧Command device

31‧‧‧Other devices

32‧‧‧Other devices

301‧‧‧First network unit

302‧‧‧Web SERVOPACK

303‧‧‧Setting and synchronization unit

304‧‧‧Device Management Unit

305‧‧‧Network Scanning Unit

306‧‧‧Second network unit

41‧‧‧Command device

40‧‧‧Synchronization setting device

42‧‧‧Execution device

401‧‧‧Network Unit

402‧‧‧Setting and synchronization unit

403‧‧‧Regional network unit

11‧‧‧Window

111,112,113‧‧‧Select items

121‧‧‧Setting project

123‧‧‧Devices to be synchronized

Step S501~S513‧‧‧Multi-device network management process

Step S601~S615‧‧‧Multi-device network management process

Step S701~S709‧‧‧Multi-device network management process

Step S801~S809‧‧‧Multi-device network management process

Step S901~S907‧‧‧Multi-device network management process

1 is a diagram showing the relationship of device roles in a multi-device network management system according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a system architecture diagram of an embodiment of a multi-device network management system according to the present invention; FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a synchronization setting device in a multi-device network management system according to the present invention; FIG. 5 is a multi-device network management method according to the present invention; FIG. 6 is a second flowchart of an embodiment of a multi-device network management method according to the present invention; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of setting a command device in a multi-device network management method according to the present invention; 8 is a flow chart of an embodiment of setting a synchronization setting device in a multi-device network management method according to the present invention; FIG. 9 is a synchronization flow of an embodiment of a multi-device network management method according to the present invention; One of the schematic diagrams of the management interface of the network management system; FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C are schematic diagrams showing the second embodiment of the management interface of the multi-device network management system of the present invention; FIG. The third schematic diagram of the management interface of the management system.

A network system usually has a network device such as a router or a gateway for connecting to an external network, and a plurality of devices (nodes) can be provided in the network system, for example, Switches and computers in the network system of the plant Systems and various industrial equipment (instruments or equipment), or various terminal electronic devices in a general data network.

When the device in the network system needs to update the firmware or change all or part of the configuration configuration, the multi-device network management method and system proposed by the disclosure of the present invention will provide a network management mechanism. The devices in the road system selectively operate as a master device, a synchronization setting device, and a slave device in accordance with the management purpose of the operator. The devices operating in a specific role can be attributed to the role. Perform firmware synchronization or / and all or part of the configuration synchronization (configuration synchronization) and other procedures.

One or more node devices carrying a management server program in the network system, for example, a server program that provides a webpage setting interface, so that an operator can enter at a remote or near end, and manage the network through the management server program. Other nodes in the system, including sharing and synchronization. The management server program listed above is a program that provides a management interface across platforms, such as a program that provides a web service. The device carrying the program generally has a high computing power, and when the remote operator enters the receiving operator, Operates as a command device and provides a management interface.

It is worth mentioning that, under the management mechanism disclosed by the present invention, the built-in program in each node device can be managed, especially the set value synchronization and the firmware synchronization, and the node device having the management server program can be When the set value is synchronized with the firmware, it can be used as a command device for remote management of the operator. Through the web-based management interface, the operator's equipment is not limited to a specific operating environment. It is also not excluded that the operator can connect the system through a software program and perform management.

In another mode, when the operator chooses to enter a certain node device, this is the command device. Through the management interface provided by the command device, the operator can select another node device in the domain to operate as a synchronization setting device, indicating the device. The configuration settings or firmware are synchronized with other devices.

According to a management connection, the node device having the management server program in one domain can operate as a command device, and the node device that receives the command and shares the set value and/or the firmware synchronization functions as a synchronization setting device. The remaining node devices are the execution devices of the terminal, and the roles of the device roles in the multi-device network management system shown in FIG. 1 can be referred to between the roles.

It shows at least two modes of operation. In one of the operating modes, an operator uses a computer device 10 to connect the front-end host of the multi-device network management system to a network system via a network (not shown), and the network system includes a regional network. The node device of the multiple connected lines in the road, the multi-device network management system selectively makes each node device operate in different roles according to the management connection. The node device that is to be the main management device should still meet specific needs, such as the location, connection relationship, computing power, and whether or not (web server, web page setting function) is set in the local area network.

For example, the management connection in the figure can be connected to a node device located at the front end of a certain domain (near the end of the external network), and the device can serve as the command device 101, and can be synchronized through the management interface after being managed and connected. All or part of the set value, and/or firmware is connected to the back end device of the command device 101, and then the remaining back end devices operate as an executing device 102 that accepts these settings or firmware synchronization. In this mode of operation, the execution device 102 is a node device other than the command device 101.

In another mode of operation, the role of the node device is dynamically changed according to the operator's management connection to the domain. When the node has a node device that can generate a management interface of the management interface, the device operates as a command. Device 103, the operator can enter the command device 103 via the network and start the management interface. If one of the node devices is selected at this time and the set value or the firmware is synchronized with other node devices in the domain, the selected node device The operation is a synchronization setting device 104 having a relay synchronization function, and the remaining node devices receiving the synchronization setting device 104 setting values and/or firmware synchronization operate as the execution device 105.

For example, node devices in a domain are set to have the same network. The configuration can be operated normally. Then, when there are more than one device in the domain that is not originally in the domain, the operator can enter one of the original node devices, which is the command device. The network configuration is synchronized to these new devices. Among them, the node device with the management server in the original domain can operate as the command device, and the related process can be seen in FIG. 5. In another mode, the configuration settings contained in the command device selected by the operator may not be suitable for the new device, but may indicate that another node device originally belonging to the domain synchronizes the relevant network configuration to the new one. The device, which is different from the node device of the command device, operates as a synchronization setting device, and the synchronization setting device is a passively receiving command of the command device, and the command device is instructed to synchronize or share the network configuration therein.

The above synchronized items may be one or more set values, as shown in FIG. 12, or may be a firmware file.

According to one embodiment, the multi-device network management system can refer to the system architecture diagram shown in FIG. 2. According to the system architecture diagram, the system can be roughly divided into three levels, and the higher the level indicates that the closer to other domains or the outside network. The role of each node device shown therein is dynamically changed according to the actual connection and setting requirements.

This example shows various devices in a network domain, such as switches, servers, terminal devices, and other industrial devices and instruments in the network system in the plant, which operate under the mechanism of multi-device network management of the present invention. The node device should have built-in programs for performing setting and synchronization, wherein one or more node devices can be provided with a management server program that can provide a webpage setting interface, so that the operator can use webpage technology without restricting the specific operating system. Multi-device synchronization of setpoints and/or firmware for devices in this domain.

If the device itself has a network management function and a network communication function, and has a management server program, it can function as a command device, a synchronization setting device or an execution device in the multi-device network management mechanism of the present invention. If the device is only a terminal device of the entire system and may not have network management functions, it can only passively accept the set value and/or firmware synchronization, and such devices operate as an execution device.

This example shows that there is a gateway device 201 in the uppermost layer of the network. For this reason, the network device of the external connection network 20 in the network domain can be, for example, a router or a gateway. . For example, in the case of automatically configuring a network address, a network device having a management and allocation network address (such as an IP address) may be provided in the network system, such as a dynamic host setting server (DHCP). 202. The identification data of each device of the entire network system is configured and managed by the dynamic host setting server 202.

It is worth mentioning that, in terms of the conditions defined by the present invention, it is possible to share all or part of its own settings, or include a firmware program, to a device of the same model; however, the management mechanism of the present invention is more Devices operating on different models and platforms, such as the gateway device 201, if it contains an associated management server that can provide a management interface, can accept remote connections and operate as a master device, which can provide cross-platform or The selective setpoint sharing of the device model is such that the remaining node devices (203-212 of this example) operate as slaves (Slave).

According to the network management mechanism proposed by the disclosure of the present invention, devices in the network system implementing the network management mechanism can operate in the above roles, according to the remote management connection, wherein the upper layer (the same network segment) Or the node device of the different network segment can operate as a command device 203, receive the management connection, can provide the management interface setting as the main device of the initial setting, and the set value is a network function setting (including the network configuration) And/or device function settings, and/or firmware, and the command device 203 is a device for sharing the set value, and can connect each device (other node device) inside the network system to set its own value (or include The firmware is synchronized to the other devices connected, so these devices (204-212) operate as slaves that passively receive setpoints or firmware.

In another mode, another node device can be selected by the node device (such as the command device 203) through the management interface, which can be synchronized with the setting device 205 (or the next-order synchronization setting device 206). As a device to share the set value, this is the same The set value or firmware of the step setting device 205 is synchronized with the node devices in other domains, and the devices for synchronizing the set values are different from other node devices other than the node device or the other node device that share the set value, such as the rest. Means 204, 206-212 for synchronizing set values.

According to the present invention, in an embodiment in which a synchronization setting device (such as 205) shares its own network function setting, device function setting, and/or update firmware, and the like, in a file delivery mode, according to the command device ( In the example 203), the synchronization setting command is sent by the synchronization setting device to the execution device in a file format (such as 204, 206-212); and the embodiment does not exclude another file delivery mode, that is, The command device issues an instruction, and the synchronization setting device first transfers the set value to the command device in the form of a file, and the command device then delivers the set value to the remaining execution device synchronized with the set value.

The operator selects a node device of the network system via the command device 203 as a synchronization setting device (such as 205 or 206) that performs the relay synchronization function, and the synchronization setting device 205 or 206 selected according to the management purpose can be arranged at different levels. In the hierarchical network segment, the synchronization setting means 205 or 206 can be designated by the operator via the above-mentioned command device 203 to synchronously share the set values (including network function settings, device function settings, and firmware updates) to other devices. For example, the operator selects one of the one or more node devices from the management interface to synchronize the set values to network nodes in other regional networks, such as the remaining execution devices.

In addition to the command device 203 and the synchronization setting device 205 or 206, the other plurality of node devices are execution devices that can accept the set values of the command device 203 or the selected synchronization setting device 205 or 206. For example, the node devices of the labels 204, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, the executing devices 204, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212 may be objects that cannot be set to the remote end, but can accept the synchronization setting command of the intra-domain command device 203 or the synchronization setting device (205 or 206), and can receive the synchronous transmission. The set value includes at least the firmware or the configuration.

In the multi-device network management system contained in the disclosure book, in a network system The ones are dynamically selected according to the management purpose as the command device (203), or the synchronization setting device (205 or 206), and the rest are the execution devices (204, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212) that are not designated to share the set values.

In the management process, the operator selects a node device (operating as the command device 203) in the network domain via the network, through a router in the network system or a gateway device, and the command device 203 has a management mechanism. It can be implemented as a web server to provide management web pages. The command device 203 can start a management interface according to the access message, execute a scanning program, scan other devices in the relevant domain, and display the scan result on the management interface, so that the user can perform setting, such as manual or Automatically set the IP address of each device (corresponding to a media access control address, MAC address), including the identification data of the selected command device (number, network address, media access control) Address, etc.), and select the sync setting device.

For the main circuit embodiment of the device as the command device in the multi-device network management system, reference may be made to the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 3, which is shown as some main circuit modules that can operate as a command device 30, wherein the circuit module Implemented as the primary management device within the network system, the command device 30 has at least two network connection interfaces, such as a first network unit 301 that connects other devices 31 or an external network, and connects other devices 32 or other networks. Second network unit 306.

The technical features proposed by the present invention are implemented in the command device 30 in the form of a hardware circuit or a software module. For example, the first network unit 301 is connected to the other device 31. The first network unit 301 can be a circuit for supporting a protocol on the Ethernet network and a software module therein, and in the network system, The first network unit 301 can provide a management connection and set up the network connection interface of the multi-device network management. It is not excluded that the command device 30 can be connected to the external network via other gateway devices (such as the Internet, other The domain device) can be a router or a gateway.

A webpage server unit 302 may be provided in the node device as the command device 30. If the management interface of the remote setting is implemented through the software method, a server program is provided to manage the external incoming connection request, and when a connection request is received, a management server is connected to start providing access by the other device 31. Management interface. In an embodiment, the management server program may include a web server that is resident in the system, and provides a webpage management interface according to requirements, so that the operator can connect to the web server from an external device by using a web browser to initiate management. Set it up for the web page.

The command device 30 is provided with a setting and synchronizing unit 303, for example, a setting program implemented by a software module. The operator enters the command device 30 through a specific channel through the network, and performs management and setting through the management interface, including at least a selectable network. Configuration settings and/or firmware updates of the own system or other devices in the system, and can synchronize the set values with other devices according to the instructions; or specify a device within a certain domain to share the set values with other devices. The configuration settings can be configured for various network settings for the entire domain, as shown in Figure 12 for various configuration settings.

The command device 30 is provided with a second network unit 306 connected to other internal devices 32, and a software-implemented network scanning unit 305, which can conform to the commands of the regional network communication protocol to broadcast or multicast (multicast) ) Way to scan. At the beginning of operation, the command device 30 accepts the operation of the operator through the above management interface to execute the device in the scanning domain, and can be listed in the management interface in a list manner, and the device management unit 304 implemented in the software device in the command device 30 will According to the various devices in the control area network, various information of each device can be obtained, and the information scanned by each device is represented in a list form as shown in FIG. The device management unit 304 can suggest a database or device list according to this, and record network identification information of each device, such as a media access control address (MAC address) and a network address to be set or configured by the system (IP address). The network address may be preset by the device, or configured by the dynamic host setting server 202 of FIG. 2, or may be set by the operator through the above management interface.

It is worth mentioning that the above-mentioned command device 30 does not refer to a node device in a specific domain, but a section with a management server program selected according to an operator selection. The function role specified by the point device, according to which the node device can change the role to the synchronization setting device or the execution device that passively receives the set value or the firmware when the connection is managed another time.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an embodiment of a synchronization setting device in a multi-device network management system of the present invention.

This figure shows a functional module implemented by selecting one of the node devices as the main hardware circuit or software module when the synchronization device 40 is selected according to the management purpose. One end is provided with a network unit 401, thereby connecting the command device 41. , or other devices. The other end is provided with a local area network unit 403 at the end of the synchronization setting device 40 for connecting devices in other areas, such as the executing device 42.

The node device as the synchronization setting device 40 is provided with a setting and synchronization unit 402, which is a program built into the synchronization setting device 40 that can receive commands (from the command device) for synchronizing set values or firmware, and setting The synchronization unit 402 can be a functional module implemented by a software. In the embodiment of the present invention, the synchronization setting device 40 is mainly a device as a relay synchronization function. The operator selects the synchronization setting device 40 through the scan list of the command device 41 at one end of the example, wherein the function of the synchronization unit 402 is set. That is, the setting values of the synchronization setting device 40 (including network function settings, device function settings, firmware, etc.) can be synchronously shared with other one or more execution devices and the like.

Here, FIG. 4 is a basic function of the role of the synchronization setting device 40, which is a node device designated by the operator through the selected command device 41 to share its own set value. To already exist, or have already completed the setting in a certain setting process, it is shared to other selected node devices via the multi-device management mechanism of the present invention. If the node device serving as the synchronization setting device 40 meets the operating conditions of FIG. 3, it does not exclude that the command device can be used in a certain process.

According to the multi-device network management system described in the above embodiments of the present invention, the operator can initiate the management interface of the command device through the network, and the management interface, for example, the web interface presented by the web browser, does not exclude other application generation. Graphics make The user interface, or a command line such as Telnet, and the management of the intra-domain device, the related multi-device network management method embodiment flow can refer to the flow chart shown in FIG.

In this management process, starting with step S501, the operator can connect to the network management host in the multi-device network management system of the present invention by using a web browser, and the network management host can be one of the node devices in the network domain, and can be selected according to the function. For the command device. One of the conditions for operating the node device of the command device is that a web server is provided, and when the management server in the server receives a management connection, a management interface is started, which can be presented on a web page. Then, in step S503, the operator enters the management webpage. In step S505, the management server generates a broadcast packet, and scans each node device in the network domain by responding to the broadcast packet by each node, and usually obtains media access control of each node device. The address (MAC), the record is listed as a list.

Then, in step S507, if necessary, the operator may first set network identification information (such as a network address) of each device. According to an embodiment, the scan result is first displayed in a management interface list, and the displayed result is as shown in FIG. A schematic diagram of an embodiment, the schematic diagram shows that the result of the scan may include the device model, the device description, the MAC address of each device, the IP address (which may be a space first), the firmware version of each device, and the device model, which may be generated by each device. The network packet was obtained.

The embodiment shows that, under the mechanism of the multi-device network management of the present invention, in addition to the network management host being set as the command device, the other devices can selectively become the functions of the synchronization setting device and the execution device according to the management purpose of the operator, wherein The device implementation of the command device, such as the above-mentioned FIG. 3, should be provided with the management server program proposed by the present invention; the operation of the operation as the synchronization setting device, such as the above-mentioned FIG. 4, is provided with a software module that receives the synchronization set value and is commanded to synchronize other devices ( Set and synchronize unit (402)). Thus, each device can operate in accordance with a system management mechanism, in particular, synchronization of set values.

Then, in step S509, the operator selects the device in which the set value is to be shared through the management interface, and the command device that can be selected for this example (such as the network management host) In itself, other node devices can also be selected as the synchronization setting device. For example, after S511, after selecting the device to share the set value, the set value to be shared is at least all or part of the configuration setting, and/or the firmware is updated, and then all or part of the devices to be synchronized are selected, and after the selection is completed. In step S513, the system performs the action of synchronizing the set value, that is, the set value is transmitted to each device selected to be synchronized through the area network, and the configuration and/or firmware update is completed by the in-device update mechanism (program). . In another embodiment, it is not excluded that all or part of the set values to be shared in the synchronization setting device may be first transmitted to the command device, and then transmitted by the command device to the device to be synchronized according to the selection.

In the implementation flow shown in FIG. 5, the operator can perform a device for selecting a set value to be shared through the management interface, and a device for passively receiving the set value to be synchronized. Referring to FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C, the multi-device of the present invention can be referred to. A management interface embodiment of a network management system.

11A to 11C are diagrams showing a node device in a network domain, including a device operating as a command device, a device operating as a synchronization setting device, and other execution devices passively receiving set values, which are dynamically formed according to purposes. Some functional roles.

In FIG. 11A, when entering the multi-device network management system of the present invention, the management server program of one of the node devices is connected, and the information of the plurality of node devices in the network domain is displayed by the management interface, as shown in a window. In the 11th, the selection item 111 of "selecting the means for sharing the set value" is displayed. This example includes the device 1 (which may be referred to as the device), the device 2, the device 3, the device 4, and the device 5.

After selecting one of the node devices as the device for sharing the set value, such as device one, that is, the device itself, and then generating a selection item 112 as shown in FIG. 11B, wherein the window 11 displays "the device for selecting the synchronization setting value", The device 1 is a node device other than the device for sharing the set value, such as the device 2, the device 3, the device 4 and the device 5, and the remaining node devices can be selected as the device for synchronizing the set value, and the execution is performed under the mechanism. Device.

If the device 1 (the device) is selected in the selection item 111 of FIG. 11A Another node device other than the device (such as device 2), as the device for executing the shared set value, will display a selection item 113 of "the device for selecting the synchronization set value" as shown in FIG. 11C, in which the selection device 1 and device 2 are listed. Node devices, device 3, device 4 and device 5 of this example, these remaining node devices will be selected as execution devices that synchronize setpoints.

FIG. 6 shows a flow of an embodiment of a multi-device network management method on the system side of the present invention.

After the system completes the startup and initialization steps, the process starts in step S601, the management mechanism in the system receives the management connection, and then in step S603, the system is connected to the management server, and the management server can execute the management connection when receiving the management connection. A user authentication procedure causes the system to service only the authenticated operator and can then scan the intra-domain node device according to the command or automatically, as in step S605. The above management server program may include a web server for initiating a management interface that can be viewed by a web browser.

Then, in step S607, the scan result is displayed by the management interface, or the result of the past scan is displayed when the network system is not changed, so that the node device information obtained by the scan can be displayed in a list, and the management interface can specifically list the management servo. The result of the program scanning the nodes in the domain.

Then, in step S609, according to the list displayed by the scan result, the command device receives the signal for selecting the device to share the set value, and the selected object includes the command device itself or other devices operable as the synchronization setting device, as in step S611, The command device confirms the set value of the selected synchronization, and the set value is, for example, a network function setting, a device function setting, and/or an updated firmware. When the set values are other devices, the device to be synchronized can be selected through the list, and the system will receive the signal of the device to be synchronized, as in step S613, and according to the synchronization, the set values of the devices selected for sharing are synchronized. Select the device to be synchronized, as in step S615.

The command device in the network system is provided with a software or hardware module that can accept settings, synchronize settings, and provide a management interface. For related embodiments, refer to FIG. 3 above. with The step setting device is provided with a related software or hardware module that can synchronize its own set value, as shown in FIG. 4 above. When selected, setpoint synchronization can be performed based on the selected object to be synchronized. 7 and FIG. 8 respectively describe the selection of the device to be set as the command device itself, or the synchronization setting device selected by the management interface initiated by the command device.

Figure 7 shows the flow of an embodiment of setting up a command device.

This example shows that when the operator connects the command device, as in step S701, the command device decides whether to agree to enter, during which an authentication procedure can be applied, such as requiring an account number, password, or chip card identification, or other authentication procedure. It is not limited to the methods listed. Its main purpose is to confirm that the connected object is indeed the object of authorization management.

In step S703, the setting command device is selected through the management interface, and in step S705, the device for selecting the command device to share the set value is selected; and one or more other devices to be synchronized are also selected, as in step S707, the synchronization is started again. The generated set value is transmitted (synchronized) to the selected device through a specific channel or network, and the update is performed by each device program, as by step S709.

Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing an embodiment in which the selection synchronization setting means is to be set.

In this process, in step S801, the operator first enters the management interface of the node device as the command device, and can perform device scan, setting selection, and synchronization selection. In this example, one of the node devices is selected as the device for sharing the set value. The device will operate as a synchronization setting device, as by step S803. In this example, the other devices to be synchronized are one or more executing devices.

At this time, in step S805, the command device confirms the setting values contained in the synchronization setting device through various commands and tools on the management interface, including network function setting, device function setting, firmware, etc., and continues to select the data to be synchronized. The device, as in step S807, starts synchronizing the set values after the setting is completed, as by step S809.

It is worth mentioning that when the operator selects the command device or the synchronization setting device as the device to share the set value, the management interface provided by the system can provide various options, various configuration settings (including in the network function setting). No longer here As described, various network function settings that can be understood by those skilled in the relevant art of the present invention, such as the setting items listed in FIG. These setting items may be suitable for node devices in all domains, and may only be applicable to some node devices. The system may provide an exclusion of incompatible synchronized devices to avoid problems caused by incorrect updates. This part can be determined according to the model or firmware version of each synchronized device. This part of the debugging and fault-tolerant mechanism is not described here.

Figure 9 shows another way of synchronizing the set values. Instead of selecting a specific device that already has the set value, it uploads a setting file in the command device and selects one or more devices that perform synchronization.

Beginning in step S901, the operator also needs to enter the command device first, upload the configuration file through the function of the management interface, as in step S903, and then, in step S905, also select one or more devices to be synchronized through the device menu, that is, The uploaded setting file is synchronized with the selected object, and in step S907, the synchronization is started after the selection is completed.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a multi-device network management method in the multi-device network management method of the present invention, which can directly share and synchronize setting values to selected other devices through a command device, including selecting one device as a synchronization setting device, an execution device, and the like. Node device. In this example, a graphical user interface is presented through a web interface, which facilitates the operator to operate the synchronized settings. The left column shows an example of various major set values, and the method of the present invention is not limited to this illustration. .

In this example, when the management interface performs the setting, the menu can be provided for the operator to set one by one, including first selecting the object to be synchronized with the set value as the command device or the synchronization setting device, and then selecting various exercises as shown in the left column of the figure. Known setting item 121 (one or more of them), including SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), L2 Table (Layer 2 network protocol layer lookup table), Age Time (Aging Time), RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol), MSTP (Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol), and RSTP Time Intervals. MSTP Instance Mapping (multi-spanning tree protocol interval), IGMP Snooping (Internet Group Management Protocol snooping), and IGMP Time Intervals for constraining multicast behavior Peeping time interval), QoS (Quality of Service) responsible for network bandwidth management, CoS Mapping (Class of Service) for network and bandwidth priority setting, and network bandwidth configuration Queue Weight and Algorithm (Algorithm Management).

When the operator completes the above or other applicable configuration settings, the device to be synchronized can be determined. In the right column of the legend display, the operator can determine the device 123 to be synchronized through the option, and can display the device to be synchronized. The host name or identifier, such as the execution device 1, the execution device, and so on. After that, the synchronization setting is executed by the command.

It should be noted that when the present invention operates the synchronization setting mechanism, the system may filter according to the basic requirements of each device and each device type, firmware version, etc. to exclude devices that are not suitable for the one or more synchronization settings, and avoid Improper synchronization settings caused by errors.

In summary, the multi-device network management system and method of the present invention proposes a management mechanism of a network system including multiple devices and diverse devices, in particular, for network system configuration settings, firmware update for each device. Such as setting values, it is possible to manage and set the dynamic setting of the setting device as the command device, the relay setting value, and the execution device of the terminal operation. The system provides a mechanism for facilitating the synchronization of the set value, so that the network system can be quickly Perform a synchronization update.

However, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, equivalent structural changes that are made by using the specification and the contents of the present invention are equally included in the present invention. Within the scope, it is combined with Chen Ming.

20‧‧‧Network

201‧‧‧gate device

202‧‧‧Dynamic host setting server

203‧‧‧Command device

205,206‧‧‧Synchronization setting device

204,207,208,209,210,211,212‧‧‧executor

Claims (10)

A multi-device network management method, comprising: receiving a management connection, connecting one of the node devices to manage the server program, starting a management interface; and listing the information of the plurality of node devices in the network domain by using the management interface; Receiving, by the management interface, a signal for selecting the node device or another node device as a device for sharing a set value; receiving, by the management interface, a signal of a device for selecting one or more synchronization set values, the device for synchronizing the set value is different And the node device that is the node device or the other node device that shares the set value; and the device that performs the synchronization setting value on the selected synchronization setting value, and includes: when the node device is selected through the management interface, a device for sharing a set value, wherein the set value is synchronized with the selected synchronous set value; and when the other node device is selected by the management interface as a device for sharing the set value, wherein the set value is shared by the selected synchronized set value . The multi-device network management method according to claim 1, wherein the management server executes a user authentication program upon receiving the management connection, and starts scanning the node devices in the domain. The multi-device network management method of claim 2, wherein the management server comprises a web server for initiating the management interface. The multi-device network management method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the setting value is a network function setting, a device function setting, and/or an updated firmware. The multi-device network management method according to claim 4, wherein when the device for synchronizing the set value to the synchronization set value is executed, the incompatible device to be synchronized is excluded according to the model or firmware of each node device. The multi-device network management method according to claim 5, wherein the node device that accepts the management connection operates as a command device; and the other node device selected to share the set value via the management interface operates as a synchronization setting device The node device that passively receives the synchronization set value is set as the execution device. A multi-device network management system, comprising a plurality of interconnected node devices, disposed in a regional network, comprising: a node device selected as a command device, provided with a management connection to enter and set the multi-device a first network unit of the network management system and a second network unit connected to the area network; wherein the command device initiates a management interface for providing the setting of the command device, or selecting to set other a node device to synchronize the set value with a network node in another local area network; wherein, after the command device or another node device that shares the set value selected through the management interface, the synchronization setting value is executed The other execution device that is selected to be synchronized includes: when the command device is selected through the management interface, wherein the set value is synchronized with the selected synchronized device, and the other node devices selected for synchronization are one or more executing devices; And when the other node device is selected through the management interface, performing a relay synchronization function, so that the set value is synchronously shared with the selected synchronization He is a node apparatus or more execution means. The multi-device network management system of claim 7, wherein the node device set as the command device is provided with a web server for initiating a management interface in the form of the web page. The multi-device network management system according to claim 7, wherein the node device set as the command device is provided with a network scanning unit for scanning the node device of the regional network. The multi-device network management system of claim 7, wherein the command device selects one of a plurality of node devices entering the multi-device network management system for the management connection; the other node device is configured to pass the management The interface selects one of the set values for the synchronization setting device; in the multi-device network management system, except for the command device and the synchronization setting device, the other node devices operate as passive execution settings.