JP2000181828A - Network management method and data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network management method capable of setting a usage protocol so as to prevent the control of a network from becoming in an impossible state in the network to which a network device supporting plural kinds of protocols is connected. SOLUTION: When a user inputs a protocol setting screen display instruction (S101), the kind of the protocol supported by the network device is obtained (S102). In the case of 'ineffective' setting where the protocol other than the one to be set cannot be used (S103), 'ineffective' is removed from candidates being setting possible in the case of displaying a setting screen and displaying is executed (S105 and S106).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a network device control apparatus and a network device control method, which include a network management software, and are particularly suitable for computer networks.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Computers can be connected to each other to form a network. Further, a larger network can be formed by connecting the networks to each other. A computer network basically has a configuration in which a plurality of computer networks are interconnected. Of the individual computer networks, those that cover a relatively small area such as a building floor or the entire building, a group of buildings (premises), etc. Is called a local area network (LAN).

[0003] By connecting a LAN to another network, it is possible to cover a region or a larger area.
The largest ones can be integrated into larger network systems spanning global systems. Each LAN
May have a variety of hardware interconnect technologies and a number of network protocols.

[0004] A LAN that is separated from other networks and has a simple configuration is unlikely to cause a serious problem even if users of devices connected to the LAN individually manage the LAN. In other words, even if the user replaces the device or installs software on the device, the problem is unlikely to occur, and even if a problem occurs, it is relatively easy to diagnose and deal with the problem, and the extent to which the problem affects Is also narrow.

On the other hand, in the case of a large-scale complex LAN or a large interconnected LAN group, the influence of the occurrence of a problem increases, and it becomes difficult to search, diagnose, and deal with the problem. Specialized “management” is required. "Management" means management by both a human network administrator and the software used by that administrator. Hereinafter, in this specification, "management" means management of the entire network system by software, and "user" means a person who uses network management software. This user is typically the system administrator. By using the network management software, the user can obtain management data on the network and change this data.

[0006] Large-scale network systems are usually dynamic systems that require constant addition and removal of equipment, software updates, and problem detection. Moreover, in general, it is often constituted by various systems owned by various people and supplied by various companies.

As a method for managing devices on a network constituting such a large-scale network system, several attempts have been made by a number of standard organizations so far. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has established Open System Interconnection,
A generic reference framework called the OSI) model was provided. The OSI model of the network management protocol is based on the Common Management Info Protocol.
rmation Protocol (CMIP). CMIP is a common European network management protocol.

[0008] In the United States, a simple network management protocol (Simple Network Management Protocol,
There is one variant of the protocol related to CMIP called SNMP). (See "Introduction to TCP / IP Network Management for Practical Management," MT Rose, author, Takeshi Nishida, translated by Toppan Co., Ltd., first edition issued on August 20, 1992).

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

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

The agent holds data on its own state in the form of a database. This database is referred to as MIB (Management Information Ba
se). FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the structure of the MIB. As shown in FIG. 20, the MIB has a tree-structured data structure, and all nodes are uniquely numbered. In FIG. 20, the number written in parentheses is
This is the identifier of the node. For example, the identifier of the node 401 is “1”. Since the identifier of the node 402 is 3 below the node 401, it is described as “1.3”. Similarly, the identifier of the node 403 is “1.3.3.6.1.
2 ".

This node identifier is called an object identifier (OBJECT IDENTIFIER). This MIB has a management information structure (SMI: Structure of Managemen).
t Information), RFC1155 Structure and Ide
ntification of Management Information for TCP / IP-b
Specified by ased Internets.

FIG. 20 shows M which is defined as a standard.
Only a part of IB is extracted and described. Reference numeral 404 denotes a node which is a vertex of an object group called a standard MIB provided as a standard in a device managed by SNMP, and a detailed structure of an object under this node is described in RFC1213 Management Information.
Base for NetworkManagement of TCP / IP-based intern
ets: Defined in MIB-II.

Reference numeral 405 denotes a node which is a vertex of a group of objects called a printer MIB provided as a standard feature of a printer managed by SNMP. The detailed structure of an object under this node is described in RFC 1759 Pri.
Specified by nter MIB. Reference numeral 406 denotes a node which is called a private MIB and serves as a vertex for companies and organizations to define their own MIB. A node 407 is called a company extension MIB, and is a top node in the private MIB for a company to perform its own extension. The company number 1602 is assigned to Canon Inc. as a company number for its own definition.
A vertex node 408 for defining the IB, Canon MIB (Canon MIB), is located below a node 407, which is a node representing a company. Canon MI
The object identifier of the vertex node of B is “1.3.3.
.1.4.111602 ".

[0015]

Now, in such a system, a case is considered in which network equipment (for example, a printer) is set using network management software. In recent years, network devices in recent years generally support a plurality of communication protocols (so-called multi-protocol support) in many cases. Examples of the “communication protocol” here include TCP / IP, IPX / SP
X (NetWare (registered trademark of Novell) protocol), App
leTalk (a registered trademark of Apple Inc.).

In such a multi-protocol compatible network device, since internal processing for controlling each communication protocol is required, the operation may be slower than in the case of a single protocol. -At startup, packets specific to the communication protocol may be automatically transmitted to the network, which may increase unnecessary network traffic.

Therefore, in the communication protocol setting of the network device, the setting of using or not using each communication protocol according to the network environment used by the user is performed by using network management software or the like. Can be partially solved.

However, if the user accidentally disables all communication protocols supported by the network device in the use setting of the communication protocol, the control of the network device is disabled thereafter. A problem arises that it becomes possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to control a network device, particularly in a network management method and a data processing apparatus which is a network device supporting a multi-protocol. It is an object of the present invention to provide a network management method and a data processing device that do not fall into an unusual state.

[0020]

That is, the gist of the present invention is a method for managing a network to which a plurality of data processing devices are connected and in which a plurality of types of communication protocols are established between the plurality of data processing devices. And a permission / prohibition setting step of setting permission / prohibition of use of a plurality of protocols for each of a plurality of data processing devices. In the permission / prohibition step, the use of a protocol is prohibited so that at least a predetermined number of protocols can be used. The present invention resides in a network management method characterized by performing setting.

Another aspect of the present invention is a data processing apparatus capable of communicating with another data processing apparatus connected to a network by using a plurality of protocols. Selection means for allowing the user to select a protocol not used for communication with the user, and setting means for determining the protocol selected by the user with the selection means and setting the selected protocol to use prohibition,
The data processing apparatus is characterized in that the selection means does not substantially permit the user to select a predetermined number of protocols from among the plurality of protocols.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing device capable of communicating with another data processing device connected to a network using a plurality of protocols.
Setting screen display means for browsing predetermined information on a protocol selected by a user among a plurality of protocols and displaying a setting screen for permitting a user to set predetermined items on a display means; Detecting means for detecting a possible protocol and an unusable protocol; and a setting screen display means for setting a predetermined item to be displayed on the setting screen and / or a predetermined item based on a detection result of the detecting means. A data processing device characterized by changing data.

Another aspect of the present invention is a storage medium storing a program that can be executed by an apparatus, wherein the apparatus having executed the program is connected to another data processing apparatus connected to a network using a plurality of protocols. Means for allowing a user to select a protocol not used for communication with another data processing apparatus from among a plurality of protocols, and discriminating a protocol selected by the user with the selecting means Setting means for setting the selected protocol to use prohibition, wherein the selecting means operates as a data processing device that does not substantially permit the user to select a predetermined number of protocols from among a plurality of protocols. The present invention resides in a storage medium.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [First Embodiment] First, a large-scale network requiring management, to which the embodiment of the present invention can be applied, will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a computer network in which three LANs are interconnected. First LAN1
00 is a printer 10 having an open architecture.
2, an Ethernet interface 10Base-2 having a coaxial connector or a 10Ba having an RJ-45 connector via a network board (NEB) 101 for connecting to a network connected to an internal slot.
They are connected by a LAN interface such as se-T.

The personal computers (PCs) 103, 104, 106 and 108 are also connected to the first LAN 1
00, and can communicate with the NEB 101 of the printer 102 under the control of the network operating system. One of the PCs, for example, PC103
Can be specified to be used as a network manager. Further, an external device such as a printer 105 connected to the PC 104 may be connected to each PC.

The PC 106 is used as a file server, and manages access to files stored in the connected large-capacity (for example, 10 gigabytes) network disk 107. The PC 108 is used as a print server, and causes a printer such as the connected printers 109a and 109b or the printer 105 at a remote place to perform printing. Further, another device may be connected to the LAN 100.

In such a LAN, software that is commercially available as so-called network software can be used to efficiently communicate between connected devices (network members). Specific examples of such network software include Novell's Netware (trade name), but the use of any other network software is not limited. By using network software,
The PC 106 as a file server plays a role of a file management unit that receives, stores, queues, caches, and transmits data files between members of the network (LAN 100).

For example, data files created by each of the PC 103 and the PC 104 are sent to the file server 106. The file server 106 arranges these data files in order, and print server 1
In accordance with the command from 08, the arranged data files are transmitted to the printer 109a.

Each of the PC 103 and the PC 104 generates a data file, and generates a LAN for the generated data file.
It comprises a general-purpose computer capable of transmitting to the LAN 100, receiving a file from the LAN 100, and displaying and / or processing such a file. The general-purpose computer mentioned here is not limited to a so-called personal computer, but may be a computer called a workstation or the like, and an OS running on a computer for sales promotion is not limited. For example, if you are using software that runs on UNIX, you may include UNIX workstations as LAN members, and these workstations, under appropriate circumstances,
It can be used with the PC shown.

Typically, a LAN such as LAN 100 provides services to a somewhat local user group, such as a user group on one floor or multiple consecutive floors in a building. For example, a wide area network (WAN) may be created as one user moves away from another user, such as when the user is in another building or another prefecture. A WAN is basically an aggregation formed by interconnecting several LANs with a high-speed digital line such as an integrated services digital network (ISDN) line. That is, the network shown in FIG.
N100, the second LAN 110, and the third LAN 12
0 means modulation / demodulation (MODEM) / transponder 1
30 and a backbone 140 to form a WAN. These connections are simple electrical connections with several buses. Each LAN includes a dedicated PC and, although not necessarily, usually includes a file server and a print server.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 10 denotes a PC 111, a PC 112, a file server 113, a network disk 114, a print server 115, a printer 116, and a printer 1
17 is included. In contrast, the third LAN 120 is PC1
21 and the PC 122 only. LAN 100 and LAN
Devices connected to the LAN 110 and the LAN 120 are connected to each other via a line (WAN connection) for connecting each other.
Can access the functions of members.

<< Hardware Environment >> Next, the PC side on which network management software (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "management software") operates will be described below. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a PC on which network management software can operate.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 500 denotes a PC on which network management software operates,
It is equivalent to C103 and the like. The PC 500 has a ROM 502
Or, stored in the hard disk (HD) 511,
Alternatively, C which executes the network management program supplied from the floppy disk drive (FD) 512
A PU 501 is provided, and a CPU 501 is connected to a system bus 504.
To control each device connected to

Reference numeral 503 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 501. Reference numeral 505 denotes a keyboard controller (KBC).
9 and an instruction input from a pointing device (not shown) or the like. 506 is a CRT controller (CRTC)
Controls the display on the CRT display (CRT) 510. A disk controller (DKC) 507 controls access to a hard disk (HD) 511 and a floppy disk controller (FD) 512 that store a boot program, various applications, editing files, user files, a network management program, and the like. A network interface card (NIC) 508 exchanges data with an agent or a network device via the LAN 100 in two directions.

<< Module Configuration of Network Management Software >> Next, the configuration of the network management software of the present invention will be described. The network management device of the present invention has a P-configuration similar to that of a PC as shown in FIG.
Implemented on C. The hard disk (HD) 511 stores a network management software program according to the present application, which is an operation main body in all the descriptions below. In all the description below, the subject of execution is the CPU 501 on hardware unless otherwise specified. On the other hand, the subject of control on software is network management software stored in a hard disk (HD) 511. In the present embodiment, the OS is assumed to be, for example, Windows 95 (manufactured by Microsoft), but is not limited thereto.

The network management program according to the present invention may be supplied in a form stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM. In this case, a floppy disk controller (FD) 51 shown in FIG.
2 or a CD-ROM drive (not shown) reads a program from a storage medium and installs the program on a hard disk (HD) 511.

FIG. 3 is a module configuration diagram of the network management software according to the present invention. The network management software according to the present invention is stored in the hard disk 511 in FIG. At that time, the CPU 501 uses the RAM 503 as a work area.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 601 denotes a device list module, which is a module for displaying a list of devices connected to the network. An overall control module 602 controls other modules based on an instruction from a device list. Reference numeral 603 denotes a configurator module that performs special processing related to the network setting of the agent. A search module 604 searches for a device connected to the network. Devices searched by this module are displayed as a list in a device list 601.

Reference numeral 605 denotes the status of the print job by NetWar.
This module is obtained from a network server using an eAPI (Aprication Programming Interface) 616. (Note that the NetWare API is described in, for example, “NetWare Programmer's Guide for Novell.”
C "and the like. This book can be purchased from Novell, Inc.) 606 and 607 are modules for displaying a device details window showing detailed information of the managed device, and display the detailed information. There is a module for each target model.Control modules 608 and 609 are responsible for control specific to the target model for acquiring detailed information, and these modules also exist for each target model for displaying detailed information. The control modules 608 and 609 control the MI
A module 60 for acquiring MIB data from a device to be managed using a B (Management Information Base) module 610 and displaying a device detail window
6 or 607.

The MIB module 610 is a module that converts between an object identifier and an object key. Here, the object key is a value corresponding to the object identifier on a one-to-one basis, for example, a 32-bit integer. The object identifier is a variable-length identifier, which is cumbersome to implement in network management software. Therefore, in the network management software shown in FIG. 3, a fixed-length value corresponding to the object identifier on a one-to-one basis is internally used as an identifier. Used. M
Modules higher than the IB module 610 handle MIB information using this object key. This facilitates implementation of network management software.

An SNMP module 611 is an SNMP module.
Send and receive packets. A common transport module 612 absorbs a difference between lower protocols for transporting SNMP data. Specifically, depending on the protocol selected by the user during operation,
IPX (Internetwork Packet Exchange) handler 613
Either a UDP (User Datagram Protocol) handler 614 plays a role in transferring data. Note that WinSock 617 is used as a specific implementation of the UDP handler (for WinSock, for example, Windows Socket APIv
See 1.1 specification. This document is available from multiple sources, for example, it ships with Visual C ++, a Microsoft compiler). That is, the current protocol 615 used by the configurator 603 indicates either IPX or UDP selected by the user during operation.

<<< Transition Diagram of Window Displayed by Management Software >>> FIG.
FIG. 9 is a transition diagram of windows sequentially displayed by the management software in accordance with a user's instruction. However, the windows shown in FIG. 4 are not all the windows displayed by the management software. Even if there is no instruction from the user, the management software automatically displays various windows according to the operation status of the management software and information obtained from the network, but these windows will be described later. No explanation.

The user monitors the operation status of the network peripheral device (device) by viewing information displayed in various windows displayed by the management software, and sets appropriate values in these windows. Network peripheral devices (devices) can be controlled. In the present embodiment, the interface between the user and the management software is a so-called graphical user interface (GU).
I), and the user gives various instructions to the management software using input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. Therefore, in the following description, "press",
“Click” and “double-click” indicate operations realized by operation of a keyboard or a mouse.

The management software is roughly divided into a device list display window 801 shown in FIG. 5 and a device detail window 701 shown in FIG. The device details window 701 includes a status sheet 702 shown in FIG.
The job sheet 703 shown in FIG. 7, the information sheet 704 shown in FIG. 8, and the network sheet 7 shown in FIG.
05 has four sheets.

From the network sheet 705, a protocol setting dialog box 729 is called. The protocol setting dialog box 729 includes a NetWare setting sheet 730 shown in FIG.
CP / IP setting sheet 732, AppleT shown in FIG.
The alk setting sheet 733 has three sheets.

The following is a detailed description of each window described above, and a detailed description of the functions of the management software associated with each window. However, each window and sheets 706 to 70 called from the state sheet 702 as a starting point
8, 710 to 725, and windows and sheets 726 to 728 called from the job sheet 703 and the information sheet 704 are not directly related to the present invention, and therefore description thereof is omitted.

[Device Details Window (see FIG. 6)]
In the device list display window 801 (FIG. 5), when the user double-clicks each icon 802 indicating a device, a device detail window (FIG. 6) of the designated device is displayed. The number of device detail windows that the user can open is limited to one for each device.

Four tabs ([Status] tab 750 and [Job] tab 7
51 · Information tab 752 · Network tab 75
3) is provided, and when a user clicks on each tab, a sheet (702 to 70) corresponding to each tab is provided.
5) is displayed on the top of the device details window (FIG. 6). In the present embodiment, since the status sheet 702 is set as the initial display sheet, when the device detail window 701 is displayed, the status sheet 702 is displayed on the foreground. The contents displayed in the device details display window differ depending on the device model.

[Network sheet (FIG. 9)
When the user clicks the [Network] tab 753 of the device details window 701 (FIG. 6), the management software executes the network (Networ
k) Display the sheet 705.

Network sheet 705
FIG. 9 is a sheet for displaying or setting network information in the selected device, and provides the functions shown in Table 1.

[0051]

[Table 1]

Among the functions provided by the network sheet, particularly relevant to the present invention is the [Effective Protocol] area for displaying the effective protocol of the network interface board.

[Protocol setting dialog box (see FIG. 10)] Network sheet 705
When the user presses the [protocol setting] button 755 (FIG. 9), the management software displays a protocol setting dialog box 729 (FIG. 10).

Protocol setting dialog box 729
(FIG. 10) is a dialog box for setting network protocol information in the selected device.

In this embodiment, the protocol setting dialog box 729 (FIG. 10) basically includes the following three items.
It consists of two tabbed sheets.

(1) NetWare setting sheet 730 (FIG. 1)
0) (2) TCP / IP setting sheet 732 (FIG. 11) (3) AppleTalk setting sheet 733 (FIG. 12) In this embodiment, when a protocol setting dialog box 729 is opened, a default sheet displayed on the foreground Is a NetWare setting sheet 730.
Therefore, FIG. 10 is a representative diagram showing a case where the NetWare setting sheet 730 is displayed on the foreground in the protocol setting dialog box.

Each tab on the upper side of the protocol setting dialog box ([NetWare] tab 760, [TCP / IP]
When the user clicks the tab 761, [AppleTalk] tab 762), the management software displays sheets (730, 732, 733) corresponding to each tab on the front of the protocol setting dialog box.

In the protocol setting dialog box,
The functions shown in Table 2 are provided.

[0059]

[Table 2]

[NetWare Setting Sheet 730 (see FIG. 10)] When the user presses the [Protocol Setting] button 755 on the network sheet 705, or a protocol setting dialog box 729.
When the user clicks on the [NetWare] tab 760, the management software displays a NetWare setting sheet 730 shown in FIG.

The NetWare setting sheet 730 (FIG. 10)
This is a sheet for setting information about NetWare in the selected device. In particular, the fields and buttons related to the present invention include: [Frame type (F)] field (763): NetW
Area where the user selects the frame type to use in are (pull-down menu). In the present embodiment, the selection candidates are “invalid”, “automatic detection”, “ETHERNETII”, “ETHENETII”.
RNET802.2 ”,“ ETHERNET802.3 ”,“ ETHERNETSNAP ”If the user sets“ auto-detect ”on the network interface board, the management software will display“ auto-detect ”as long as the user does not change the setting. .

[OK] button (764): A button to validate the settings and close the dialog box. If the settings have been changed, update the settings of the network interface board. [Cancel] button (765): Invalidates the settings,
Button to close the dialog box.

[Update (A)] button (766): A button for updating the settings of the network interface board when the settings have been changed. Effective only when the setting has been changed. There is. NetWare setting sheet 730
The user changes any setting in (FIG. 10) and clicks [O
When the user presses the [K] button 764, a message shown in FIG. 13 is displayed.

When the user presses the [Yes (Y)] button 131 in the dialog of FIG. 13, the protocol setting of the network interface board is changed, and the protocol setting dialog box is closed. When the user presses the [No (N)] button 132,
Close the Protocol Settings dialog box without changing any settings. If the user presses the [Cancel] button 133, the screen returns to the protocol setting dialog box without changing the setting.

When the user changes any setting on the NetWare setting sheet 730 (FIG. 10) and presses the [Update (A)] button 766, a message shown in FIG. 14 is displayed.

In the dialog of FIG. 14, when the user presses the [Yes (Y)] button 141, the protocol setting of the network interface board is changed, and the process returns to the protocol setting dialog box. When the user presses the [No (N)] button 142, the screen returns to the protocol setting dialog box without changing the setting.

[TCP / IP Setting Sheet 732 (FIG. 11)
When the user clicks the [TCP / IP] tab 761 of the protocol setting dialog box 729, a TCP / IP setting sheet 732 shown in FIG.
Is displayed.

The TCP / IP setting sheet 732 (FIG. 11)
Is a sheet for setting information on TCP / IP in the device selected by the user. TCP / I
In the P setting sheet 732, fields, buttons, and the like particularly related to the present invention are described in a [frame type (F)] field (770): TC
A field (pull-down menu) for the user to select a frame type used in P / IP. In the present embodiment, the selection candidates are “invalid” and “ETHERNET II”. [OK] button (764): A button for validating the settings and closing the dialog box. If the settings have been changed, update the settings of the network interface board.

[Cancel] button (765): A button for invalidating the settings and closing the dialog box. [Update (A)] button (766): Updates the settings of the network interface board if the settings have been changed. Effective only when the setting has been changed.
It is. The user changes any setting on the TCP / IP setting sheet 732 (FIG. 11), and clicks an [OK] button 764.
When is pressed, the message shown in FIG. 13 is displayed.

When the user presses the [Yes (Y)] button 131 in the dialog of FIG. 13, the protocol setting of the network interface board is changed, and the protocol setting dialog box is closed. When the user presses the [No (N)] button 132,
Close the Protocol Settings dialog box without changing any settings. If the user presses the [Cancel] button 133, the screen returns to the protocol setting dialog box without changing the setting.

The TCP / IP setting sheet 732 (FIG. 11)
When the user changes any of the settings and presses the [Update (A)] button 766, the message shown in FIG. 14 is displayed.

When the user presses the [Yes (Y)] button 141 in the dialog of FIG. 14, the protocol setting of the network interface board is changed, and the process returns to the protocol setting dialog box. When the user presses the [No (N)] button 142, the screen returns to the protocol setting dialog box without changing the setting.

[AppleTalk Setting Sheet 733 (see FIG. 12)] [AppleTal] in the protocol setting dialog box
When the user clicks the [k] tab 762, an AppleTalk setting sheet 733 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. App
The leTalk setting sheet 733 (FIG. 12) is a sheet for setting information related to AppleTalk in the selected device.

In particular, the fields and buttons related to the present invention include a [Phase type (F)] field (780): Appl.
Field (pull-down menu) for selecting the phase type used in eTalk. In the present embodiment, a selection is made from "invalid" and "phase 2". [OK] button (764): A button for validating the settings and closing the dialog box. If the settings have been changed, update the settings of the network interface board.

[Cancel] button (765): A button for invalidating the settings and closing the dialog box. [Update (A)] button (766): Updates the settings of the network interface board if the settings have been changed. Effective only when the setting has been changed.
It is.

When the user changes any setting on the AppleTalk setting sheet 733 (FIG. 12) and presses the [OK] button, a message shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. FIG.
[Yes (Y)] button 131
When the user presses the button, the protocol setting of the network interface board is changed, and the protocol setting dialog box is closed. [No (N)] button 1
When the user presses 32, the protocol setting dialog box is closed without changing the setting. If the user presses the [Cancel] button 133, the screen returns to the protocol setting dialog box without changing the setting.

If the user changes any setting on the AppleTalk setting sheet 733 (FIG. 12) and presses the [Update (A)] button 766, a message shown in FIG. 14 is displayed.

In the dialog of FIG. 14, when the user presses the [Yes (Y)] button 141, the protocol setting of the network interface board is changed, and the process returns to the protocol setting dialog box. When the user presses the [No (N)] button 142, the screen returns to the protocol setting dialog box without changing the setting.

<< Operation of Management Software >> In the present embodiment as described above, the management software is activated on the PC 103 to manage and set the printer 102 (in which an SNMP agent is installed). The operation procedure of the software will be described.

As prerequisites before performing the following processing, it is assumed that management software has already been started and a device detail window 701-network sheet 705 (FIG. 9) for the printer 102 is displayed. Also,
The printer 102 uses TCP / I as a communication protocol.
P, IPX (NetWare protocol), and AppleTalk are implemented.

Hereinafter, the operation procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S101,
When the user presses the [protocol setting (L)] button 755 on the network sheet 705, the display of the protocol setting dialog box 729 (FIG. 10) is instructed to the management software, and the default display sheet NetW
The display operation of the are setting sheet 730 (FIG. 10) starts. At this time, the protocol A = IPX (NetW
are protocol). In step S102,
Protocols supported by the printer 102 (TCP
/ IP, IPX, AppleTalk). The status of each of these protocols is MI indicating the status of each protocol.
It can be acquired by the B object, and is equivalent to the information displayed in the [effective protocol] of the network sheet 705. In the following description, when a protocol is set to be unusable, the protocol is described as being "invalid".

At step S103, the protocol A
It is checked whether or not all the states of the protocols other than (= IPX) are “invalid”, and if so, step S1
05 is performed. If not, step S10
4 is performed.

In step S104, "invalid" is entered in the list data for pull-down display of the selection candidates in the [frame type (F)] field 763 of the NetWare setting sheet 730 (FIG. 10) to generate list data.

On the other hand, when all the protocols other than the protocol A are “invalid”, the selection candidates of the “Frame type (F)” field 763 of the NetWare setting sheet 730 (FIG. 10) are pulled down in step S105. "Invalid" is deleted from the list data for generating the list data.

Next, in step S106, NetWare is used by using the list data and the like for the selection candidates in the [Frame Type (F)] field 763 generated above.
The setting sheet 730 (FIG. 10) is displayed.

As a result, the selection candidates of the [Frame type (F)] field 763 of the displayed NetWare setting sheet 730 (FIG. 10) are changed as shown in FIG. 16 (when step S104 is executed) and FIG. 17 (step S105 is executed). Shown).

In the above description, the case where the NetWare setting sheet 730 (FIG. 10) is displayed has been described. In step S101, the TCP / IP setting sheet 732 (FIG. 11) or the AppleTalk setting sheet 733 is displayed. When the display operation of FIG. 12 is started, “protocol A = TCP / IP” or “protocol A =
The same sequence will be executed as "AppleTalk". (The display operation of the TCP / IP setting sheet 732 (FIG. 11) or the AppleTalk setting sheet 733 (FIG. 12) is performed by selecting [TC
[P / IP] tab 761 or [AppleTalk] tab 76
It is started when the user selects (clicks) 2. )

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of management software according to another embodiment. The preconditions in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In step S201, when the user presses the [protocol setting (L)] button 755 on the network sheet 705, the display of the protocol setting dialog box 729 is instructed, and the NetWare setting sheet 730 (see FIG. The display operation of 10) is started. At this time, the protocol A in FIG.
= IPX (NetWare protocol).

In step S202, NetWare setting sheet 730 (FIG. 10) is created using ordinary list data and the like.
Is displayed. (That is, at this point, “invalid” is included in the selection candidates of the [frame type (F)] field 763.)

In step S203, after the user changes the setting, [O] of the NetWare setting sheet 730 (FIG. 10)
By pressing (clicking) the [K] button 764 or the [update] button 766, a setting update request for the printer 102 is instructed to the management software.

In step S204, the printer 10
The status of a protocol other than the protocol A (= IPX) in the printer 102 is acquired from the second agent.

In step S205, step S2
04 is protocol A (= IP
It is checked whether all the states of the protocol other than X) are "invalid". If so, the process of step S206 is performed. Otherwise, the process of step S209 is performed.

If the protocol other than protocol A is "invalid",
In step S206, [Frame Type (F)]
It is determined whether or not the setting value of the field 763 is “invalid”. If "invalid" has not been selected, the process of step S209 is performed. If “invalid” has been set, the process of step S207 is performed.

In step S207, a warning message box (FIG. 19) for notifying that communication may not be possible with the current setting is displayed, and the user is confirmed. Then, in step S208, the [OK] button 19 in the warning message box (FIG. 19) is displayed.
If 1 is pressed, the setting has been forcibly performed, and the process of S209 is performed. On the other hand, if the [Cancel] button 192 of the warning message box (FIG. 19) is pressed, this means that the execution of the setting has been canceled, and the present sequence ends. In step S209, a protocol is set for the printer 102 based on the settings on the NetWare setting sheet 730 (FIG. 10).

In the above description, the case where the NetWare setting sheet 730 (FIG. 10) is displayed has been described. However, in step S201, the TCP / IP setting sheet 732 (FIG. 11) or the AppleTalk setting sheet 733 is displayed. When the display operation of FIG. 12 is started, “protocol A = TCP / IP” or “protocol A =
The same sequence will be executed as "AppleTalk".

(Display operation of the TCP / IP setting sheet (FIG. 11) or the AppleTalk setting sheet (FIG. 12) starts when the user selects the [TCP / IP] tab or the [AppleTalk] tab of the protocol setting dialog box. Is done.)

[0098]

Other Embodiments In the above embodiments, specific protocols have been described as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these protocols.

Further, the setting method of invalidity / validity for each protocol is not limited to the embodiment using the pull-down menu, but can be performed by an arbitrary method such as using a list box or a radio button. If the invalid option cannot be substantially selected in the first embodiment, the invalid option may be displayed in, for example, a light color display, or the protocol A may be displayed in the second embodiment.
If the other is in the "invalid" state, the color of the "invalid" character selected by the frame type may be changed.

In the second embodiment, step S2
When the setting is forcibly started from 08, the user may be asked for confirmation again.

Further, in the second embodiment, before the user presses the OK button 764 or the update button 766, the status of all the supported protocols is acquired when the user selects "invalid" of the protocol, and the status of all the protocols other than protocol A is "invalid" May be displayed, a dialog box shown in FIG. 19 indicating a warning may be displayed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, all the protocols are prevented from being set to "invalid". However, in some cases, the minimum number of usable protocols can be set to two or more.

In the above-described embodiment, the protocol is set to “invalid” from the sheet for each protocol. However, a separate sheet for setting the validity / invalidity of the protocol is provided, and the validity / invalidity is listed by listing the protocols. It may be configured to be specified. In this case, a restriction may be made so that all protocols cannot be set to be invalid as in the first embodiment, or a warning may be made but a setting may be made as in the second embodiment.

An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

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

[0109]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Obtains and determines the status of the communication protocols supported by the network device (hereinafter referred to as "support protocol"), and prevents the user from disabling the setting of all supported protocols, or confirms with the user when setting. By doing so, there is an effect that communication maintenance with the network device is enhanced, and a setting environment that is easier for the user to understand can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a large-scale network in which LANs are interconnected.

FIG. 2 shows a P on which network management software can operate.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of C.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a module configuration of network management software.

FIG. 4 is a window display transition diagram of the network management software.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device list display window.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a status sheet.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job (Jobs) sheet.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information sheet.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network sheet.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a NetWare setting sheet.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a TCP / IP setting sheet.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an AppleTalk setting sheet.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog box displayed when setting is instructed.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog box displayed when an update instruction is issued.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a selection candidate display example when step S104 in FIG. 15 is processed.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of selection candidate display when step S105 in FIG. 15 is processed.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog box displayed in the process of step S207 in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of an MIB.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A method for managing a network to which a plurality of data processing devices are connected and in which a plurality of types of communication protocols are performed between the plurality of data processing devices, wherein the plurality of data processing devices are provided for each of the plurality of data processing devices. A permission / prohibition setting step of setting permission / prohibition of use of the protocol, wherein in the permission / prohibition step, setting of use prohibition of the protocol is performed so that at least a predetermined number of types of protocols can be used. Network management method. 2. At least one of the plurality of data processing devices has a display unit, and the permission / prohibition step is displayed in the display step of displaying the plurality of protocols on the display unit, and displayed in the display step. Selecting a protocol to be set to be prohibited from use from among the protocols, wherein the predetermined number of protocols among the protocols available at the time of executing the display step do not perform selectable display in the selection step. Claim 1
The described network management method. 3. A display step, wherein at least one of the plurality of data processing devices has a display unit, and the permitting / prohibiting step displays a type of the plurality of protocols and a current setting status on the display unit. 2. The network according to claim 1, further comprising a step of selecting a protocol to be set to be prohibited from the protocols displayed in the displaying step, wherein the selecting step does not permit selection of the predetermined number of protocols. Management method. 4. The network management method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number is one. 5. A data processing device capable of communicating with another data processing device connected to a network using a plurality of protocols, wherein the plurality of protocols are not used for communication with the other data processing device. Selecting means for allowing the user to select a protocol, determining a protocol selected by the user with the selecting means,
Setting means for setting the selected protocol to use prohibition, wherein the selecting means does not substantially permit a user to select a predetermined number of protocols among the plurality of protocols. Data processing device. 6. The data processing apparatus, comprising: a display unit; and a detection unit that detects whether each of the plurality of protocols is available or prohibited, and wherein the plurality of protocols are in a state where the selection unit is available. 6. The data processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a protocol excluding said predetermined number of protocols is displayed on said display means. 7. The data processing apparatus has a display unit, and a detection unit that detects whether each of the plurality of protocols is available or prohibited, and the selection unit displays the plurality of protocols on the display unit. 6. The data processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the setting unit ignores the selection of the number of usable protocols among the plurality of protocols to be less than the predetermined number. 8. The data processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined number is one. 9. A data processing device capable of communicating with another data processing device connected to a network using a plurality of protocols, comprising: display means; and a predetermined protocol selected by a user among the plurality of protocols. Setting screen display means for displaying, on the display means, a setting screen for permitting a user to set a predetermined item when browsing information, and detecting for detecting an available protocol and an unusable protocol among the plurality of protocols. Wherein the setting screen display means changes the predetermined item to be displayed on the setting screen and / or default data to be set for the predetermined item, based on a detection result of the detecting means. Data processing device. 10. When the detection result of the detection means indicates that only a predetermined number of protocols or less can be used, the selected protocol is set to be disabled from use of the predetermined item and / or the predetermined data. 10. The data processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein items for setting or default data are not displayed on the setting screen, the setting is not executed even if the setting screen is displayed and set, or the setting is not permitted. 11. A storage medium storing a program executable by a device, wherein the data processing device is capable of communicating the device executing the program with another data processing device connected to a network using a plurality of protocols. In the plurality of protocols, a selection unit that allows a user to select a protocol not used for communication with the other data processing device, and a protocol selected by the user with the selection unit is determined.
Setting means for setting the selected protocol to use prohibition, wherein the selecting means is a data processing device that does not substantially permit a user to select a predetermined number of protocols among the plurality of protocols. A storage medium characterized by being operated. 12. A storage medium storing a program executable by the device, the data processing device being capable of communicating the device executing the program with another data processing device connected to a network using a plurality of protocols. And display means for displaying predetermined information on a protocol selected by a user among the plurality of protocols, and displaying a setting screen for permitting the user to set predetermined items on the display means. Means, and detecting means for detecting a usable protocol and an unusable protocol among the plurality of protocols, wherein the setting screen display means displays on the setting screen based on a detection result of the detecting means. Operating as a data processing device that changes the predetermined item and / or default data set in the predetermined item. Storage medium characterized.