JP2000207323A - Device and method for controlling network device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and method for controlling network device by which a wrong address can be prevented from being set to a network device to which the information, such as the IP address, etc., peculiar to the device can be set. SOLUTION: When a user inputs the setting of an IP address (S102), it is checked that whether or not the address is a broadcast address, etc., having a special meaning (S103 and S104). When a subnet mask is further inputted (S105), operation is made on the mask and the set IP address (S106) and it is checked that no problem arises even when an input set value is set (S107 and S108). When it is discriminated that there is a problem, the inappropriateness of the input value is notified to the user (S110) and the user is made to input another value.

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). LAN
By connecting to other networks, it can be incorporated into larger network systems, covering regions or even larger areas, up to the global system. Each LAN may have a variety of hardware interconnect technologies and a number of network protocols.

A LAN that is separated from other networks and has a simple configuration is unlikely to cause a serious problem even if a user of a device connected to the LAN manages the LAN individually. 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 effect of the occurrence of a problem also increases, and it becomes difficult to search, diagnose, and cope 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.

[0005] 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.

[0007] In the United States, a simple network management protocol (SN) is used as a network management protocol having higher commonality.
There is a variant of the protocol related to CMIP called MP). (Marshall T. Rose, The Simple Book, Prenti
ce-Hall, 1991).

According to the SNMP network management technology,
A network management system includes at least one network management station (NMS), a number of managed nodes, each including an agent, and a network management protocol used by the management stations and agents to exchange management information. 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.

The agent is software that operates as a background process of each target device. When a user requests management data from a device on the network, the network management software sends the object identification information in a management packet or frame to the agent of the target device. The agent interprets the object identification information, retrieves data corresponding to the object identification information,
The data is sent back to the user in a packet. Sometimes, the corresponding process is called to retrieve the data.

In addition, a unique protocol other than SNMP is often installed for connecting a device to a network for the first time or resetting a device.

This is because when the device is shipped, the SNMP
This is because, in many cases, the setting of the IP address or the like for operating the server is not performed.

[0012]

Now, in such a system, consider a case where a network device (for example, a printer) which is a device connected to a network is set using network management software. In recent years, this type of network device has implemented TCP / IP as a communication protocol. In such a case, it is possible to set the IP address of the network device from network management software.

However, in setting such an IP address, if the user makes an improper setting, a problem occurs in communication with the network device, or the entire network including the network device is damaged. There is a problem that it becomes unstable.

In particular, when an IP address having a special meaning, such as a broadcast address, is set in a specific network device, the entire network may not operate normally.

An object of the invention according to the present application is to provide a network device control apparatus and method capable of preventing setting of an erroneous address for a network device capable of setting information unique to the network device such as an IP address. To provide.

[0016]

That is, the gist of the present invention is a network device control apparatus for setting, in a network device, unique information for identifying the network device in a network to which the network device is connected. A determining means for determining whether or not the set value of the unique information input from the outside is the preset prohibited unique information; and if the determining means determines that the set value is the prohibited unique information, And a warning unit for generating warning information indicating that the setting of the setting value cannot be performed.

Another aspect of the present invention is a network device control method for setting, in a network device, information unique to a network to which the network device is connected, the method comprising: Is a discriminating step for discriminating whether or not the set value is the preset prohibition specific information, and a warning indicating that the setting value cannot be set if the setting value is determined to be the prohibition specific information in this discriminating step. And a warning step for generating information.

Another aspect of the present invention is a storage medium storing a program that can be executed by an apparatus, wherein the apparatus that has executed the program is stored in a network device connected to a network device. A network device control apparatus for setting unique information for identifying a device, comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether a set value of the unique information input from the outside is prohibited unique information set in advance; If the means determines that the setting value is prohibition specific information,
A storage medium characterized by being operated as a network device control device having a warning unit for generating warning information indicating that a setting value cannot be set.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a large-scale network that needs to be managed by the embodiment of the present invention and needs to be managed will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a computer network in which three LANs are interconnected. In the first LAN 100, a printer 102 having an open architecture is connected to a network board (NE) connected to an internal slot and connected to a network.
B) Via 101, for example, Ethe with a coaxial connector
It is connected by a LAN interface such as an rnet interface 10Base-2 or a 10Base-T having an RJ-45 connector.

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.

With the use of 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, which 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 executes the LAN of 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, and the OS running on each general-purpose computer 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.

Next, a PC 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 for 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 bidirectionally exchanges data with an agent or a network device via the LAN 100.

<< Module Configuration of Network Management Software >> Next, the configuration of network management software for realizing the network device control method of the present invention will be described.

The network management software according to the embodiment of the present invention can be realized on a PC having the same configuration as the PC as shown in FIG. Hard disk (H
D) 511 stores a program of network management software according to the present embodiment, which is an operation main body in all the descriptions below. In all the descriptions below,
Unless otherwise specified, the execution subject is CPU 5 on hardware.
01. 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
Assumes Windows 95 (manufactured by Microsoft), for example, but is not limited to this.

The network management software may be supplied in a form stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM. In this case, the floppy disk controller (FD) 512 shown in FIG. The program is read from the storage medium by a CD-ROM drive or the like, and the hard disk (HD) 5
11 is installed.

FIG. 3 is a module configuration diagram of the network management software according to the embodiment of the present invention. This network management software is stored in the hard disk 511 in FIG. 2 and is executed by the CPU 501. 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 displays 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.

An ICMP module 605 controls the ICMP protocol. ICMP is IETF
Is a protocol for TCP / IP control defined in RFC792 of
Standardly implemented on devices. 606 and 60
Reference numeral 7 denotes a UI module for displaying a device detail window described later, and there is a UI module for each target model for displaying detailed information. Reference numerals 608 and 609 are control modules, which are responsible for control specific to the target model from which detailed information is to be obtained. As with the UI module, a control module exists for each target model for displaying detailed information. The control A module 608 and the control B module 609 obtain MIB data from the device to be managed using the MIB module 610, convert the data as necessary, and send the data to the corresponding UI A module 606 or UI B module 607, respectively. Pass the data.

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.

In the following description, the network management software according to the embodiment of the present application is referred to as “management software”.

(Operation) Hereinafter, in this embodiment, management software is activated on the PC 103 to manage and set the printer 102 (in which an SNMP agent is installed) as a network device. The operation procedure will be described. As prerequisites before performing the following processing, it is assumed that the management software has already been started and the IP address setting of the printer 102 has been instructed.

The point of this embodiment is that the device I
This is to prevent a broadcast address or an IP address that cannot be communicated from another subnet from being set as the P address. (For details on the IP address system, subnet mask, and broadcast address, see “Bit Separate Volume Network Construction by TCP / IP, Vol. 1—Principles and Protocol Architecture,” Douglas Comer = Author / Jun Murai and Hiroyuki Kusumoto = (See the second edition of 1991 issued by Publishing Co., Ltd.) Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the setting of the IP addresses “0.0.0.0” and “255.255.255.255” is prevented. .

The operation procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S101, the UI module 606 displays, for example, a dialog box shown in FIG. 6 as a user interface for setting the IP address of the printer 102. Step S102
, The user wants to set the input field of the dialog box (FIG. 6) from an input device such as a keyboard.
Enter the P address.

In step S103, if the input IP address is "0.0.0.0",
Considering the P address, for example, a dialog box shown in FIG. 7 is displayed to warn the user that setting cannot be performed (step S110). When the “Yes (Y)” button in the dialog box is pressed by an input device such as a mouse, the IP address input box in the dialog box in FIG.
Wait for re-input of P address.

The IP address = “0.0.0.0” is reserved as a broadcast address in some types of network systems, and is not generally used as an address of a single device. . If the input IP address is not "0.0.0.0", the process of S104 is performed.

In step S104, the input IP address is "255.255.255.255".
Is determined to be an invalid IP address, and
0 processing is performed. IP address = “255.255.2
55.255 "is reserved as a broadcast address in recent network systems, and is generally not used as an address of a single device. If the input IP address is "2
55.255.255.255 ", wait for the user to input the subnet mask.

In step S105, the user uses the input device such as a keyboard to input a desired subnet mask into the input box of the dialog box (FIG. 6).

In step S106, the IP address previously input in step S102 is
Mask with the subnet mask input in step 5 (specifically, calculate the logical product of two values).

In step S107, if the network part of the masked address value is 0, the illegal IP
It is considered that the address or the subnet mask is incorrect, and the process of step S110 is executed. This is because an IP address of which the network unit is 0 is valid only in the current subnet, so that access to the printer 102 from another subnet may not be possible. The network part of the masked address value is 0
Otherwise, the process of step S108 is performed.

In step S108, if all the bits of the host portion of the masked address value are 1, it is regarded as an invalid IP address or an invalid subnet mask, and the process of step S110 is executed. This is because an IP address in which all bits of the host unit are 1 is used as a designated broadcast address for the subnet. If there is 0 in the bit of the host portion of the masked address value, the "Next" button 6 of the dialog box is displayed effectively, and the user clicks the "Next" button 6
Is pressed with an input device such as a mouse or the like in step S10.
9 is executed.

In step S109, the IP address and the subnet mask entered by the user are
The setting is performed on the printer 102 by the NMP or the unique protocol for the configurator 603.

[Second Embodiment] Regarding the IP address setting and management of the printer 102 shown in the first embodiment, different embodiments will be described below. The prerequisite conditions are the same as in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the ICMP (Internet Control
rol Message Protocol) to collect network information. ICMP protocol is IEEE RFC
792, which is generally implemented in a computer as a ping command.

The operation procedure will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S201, U
The I module 606 displays, for example, a dialog box shown in FIG. 6 as a user interface for setting the IP address of the printer 102.

In step S202, the user inputs an IP address desired to be set in an input field of a dialog box (FIG. 6) from an input device such as a keyboard.

In step S203, the ICMP module 605 issues an echo request message of the ICMP protocol to the input IP address.

In step S204, when an echo response message corresponding to the echo request message is returned normally, it is considered that the IP address is already being used by another device, and a dialog box shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, for example. Then, the user is warned that the setting cannot be made (step S206). Then, when the "Yes (Y)" button of the dialog box is pressed by an input device such as a mouse, the IP address input box of the dialog box in FIG. 6 is cleared and the process returns to step S202 to re-enter the IP address. wait.

If the echo response message is not returned (or returned but an error occurs), the "Next" button 6 of the dialog box is effectively displayed, and the user inputs the "Next" button 6 with a mouse or the like. When pressed on the device, the process of step S205 is executed.

In step S205, the IP address input by the user is set in the printer 102 by SNMP or a unique protocol for the configurator 603.

[0059]

[Other Embodiments] The present invention can prevent setting of any address (subnet mask), not limited to the IP address and subnet mask exemplified in the above embodiment. Information on the address whose setting is to be prevented can be stored in an external memory such as the HD 511 in advance, or obtained from another information source on the network.

The present invention can be applied to setting of an IP address to an arbitrary network device, not limited to a printer.

The present invention can be applied to the case where there is a setting value which is not allowed to be duplicated in each network device or a setting value which is to be prohibited in addition to the network address.

When there are a plurality of set values such as an IP address and a subnet mask, not only when all of these values are manually input by the user but also when some information is supplied from another network device. Even if there is, the present invention can be applied.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copier, a facsimile) comprising one device Device).

Another object of the present invention is to provide 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 realizes 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 instructions 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.

[0069]

As described above, according to the network device control apparatus and method of the present invention, it is checked whether the IP address set by the user for the network device is an inappropriate IP address. In the case where the setting is inappropriate, the setting is not performed, so that there is an effect that the communication maintenance with the network device is improved. Further, as an inappropriate IP address, a broadcast address or an IP address duplicated with another network device is checked so as not to be set, thereby improving the stability of the entire network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 shows a P on which network management software can operate.
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of C.

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

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog box for setting an IP address according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an IP address setting error message according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 LAN 501 CPU 502 ROM 503 RAM 504 System bus 509 Keyboard 510 CRT 511 HD 512 FD

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A network device control apparatus for setting information unique to a network device in a network to which the network device is connected, wherein a setting value of the unique information input from outside is set in advance. Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the set prohibition specific information; and when the discriminating means judges that the set value is the prohibition specific information, a warning indicating that the setting value cannot be set. A network device control apparatus, comprising: a warning unit that generates information. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the input is a network device and / or
Or on the network controller, via a graphical user interface displayed on a display device that is connected in a controllable or communicable manner, the warning information is displayed on the display device on which the graphical user interface on which the input was performed is displayed 2. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for performing control so that the warning screen is displayed as a warning screen.
The network device control device according to claim 1. 3. The discriminating means further comprises a detecting means for detecting whether or not a device having the set value exists on the network, and if so, the set value is represented by the prohibition specific information. 2. The network device control device according to claim 1, wherein the network device control device is treated as being present. 4. The network device control device according to claim 1, wherein the unique information is a network address, and the prohibited unique information includes a previously set network address and a broadcast address. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network address is a network address obtained from a calculation of a plurality of set values, and the determination unit performs the determination from each of the plurality of set values and a result of the calculation. Item 5. The network device control device according to item 4. 6. The network device control device according to claim 5, wherein a part of the plurality of setting values is supplied from another network device. 7. The network device control device according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of set values are an IP address and a subnet mask. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means is an ICMP (Internet Cont.
4. The network device control device according to claim 3, wherein presence / absence of a device having the set value is detected using an echo request of a rol message protocol. 9. A network device control method for setting, in a network device, unique information in a network to which the network device is connected, wherein a setting value of the unique information input from outside is set to a preset prohibition value. A determination step of determining whether or not the set value is the unique information; and when the set value is determined to be the prohibited unique information in this determination step, warning information indicating that the set value cannot be set is generated. And a warning step. 10. The input is performed through a graphical user interface displayed on a display device that is connected to a network device and / or a network control method in a control or communicable manner, and the warning information is input. 10. The network device control method according to claim 9, further comprising a control step of performing control so that the warning screen is displayed on the display device on which the graphical user interface is displayed. 11. The determining step further includes a detecting step of detecting whether or not there is a device having the set value on the network, and if the device has the set value, the set value is represented by the prohibition specific information. 10. The network device control method according to claim 9, wherein the network device is treated as being. 12. The network device control method according to claim 9, wherein the unique information is a network address, and the prohibited unique information includes a preset network address and a broadcast address. 13. The network address obtained by calculating a plurality of setting values,
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining step performs the determination from each of the plurality of set values and a result of the calculation.
3. The network device control method according to 2. 14. The network device control method according to claim 13, wherein a part of the plurality of setting values is supplied from another network device. 15. The network device control method according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of setting values are an IP address and a subnet mask. 16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the detecting step is performed by an ICMP (Interne
12. The network device control method according to claim 11, wherein the presence or absence of a device having the set value is detected using an echo request of (t Control Message Protocol). 17. A storage medium storing a program that can be executed by an apparatus, wherein the apparatus that has executed the program is stored in a network device by a unique device for identifying the network device in a network connected to the network device. A network device control apparatus for setting information, comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether a setting value of the unique information input from the outside is prohibition unique information set in advance; A storage medium that is operated as a network device control device including a warning unit that generates warning information indicating that the setting value cannot be set when the information is determined to be the prohibition specific information.