JP2001069160A - Network setting system, interface device, setting device and network setting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save labor for a user and to reduce the load. SOLUTION: In the network setting system provided with a network interface card(NIC) for connecting equipment such as printers 102-104 and an image scanner 105 to a network and a personal computer(PC) 101 connected to the network for setting the NIC, the NIC is provided with a comparing and discriminating part for comparing contents set to the present device with set contents in initial state and discriminating whether the set contents are changed or not and an informing part for broadcasting information showing the initial state of the set contents through the network when the comparing and discriminating part discriminates that the set contents are not changed and the PC 101 is provided with a starting part for starting a setting utility for NIC when the initial state of set contents is reported from the NIC.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network setting system, an interface device, a setting device and a network setting method in a network to which devices such as an image forming device (printing device) are connected. NIC (Netw
The present invention relates to a network setting system, an interface device, a setting device, and a network setting method for supporting settings such as an ork interface card).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a so-called LAN environment in which a plurality of host devices and printing devices are connected to a network and shared by a plurality of users has been used to share devices such as a printing device, a storage device, and a reading device to improve efficiency. It is spreading at a remarkable rate. With such a flow of networking, NICs for connecting these devices to a network are provided by many vendors, and it is rare that NICs manufactured by a plurality of vendors coexist in one LAN environment. Is gone. By the way, in order to use a device such as a printing device by connecting to a network, it is necessary to make device settings such as an IP address and a device name for the NIC attached to the device. Unrecognized devices are not recognized on the network and cannot be used.

In the conventional network setting system for performing this device setting, when a new device is connected to a network and used, a user first (1) installs the device and connects it to a network cable. Next,
(2) MAC (Media Access Control) described on the back panel of the NIC attached to the device
Check NIC from address. Subsequently, (3) the computer on the network finds and activates utility software for setting the NIC. Then, (4) device setting is performed using the activated utility software. Thus, the device can be used on the network.

[0004]

However, according to the above conventional technique, a user checks the MAC address of a NIC of a device to be connected, and provides utility software for setting the NIC from a plurality of vendors. Since it is necessary to find out and start the utility software from among the plurality of utility software programs, there is a problem in that it takes time and increases the load on the user. This makes it almost impossible for non-experts to set up, and in order to deliver equipment to such a user environment, a service man must be dispatched from the vendor, which increases delivery costs. there were.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the burden on the user and reduce the load.

[0006]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network setting system, comprising: an interface device for connecting a device to a network; A setting device for performing setting, wherein the interface device compares the content set in its own device with the setting content in an initial state, and determines whether the setting content has been changed. Determining means, and, when it is determined that the setting content has not been changed by the determining means, a notifying means for broadcasting notification via the network that the setting content is in an initial state, The setting device receives a notification from the interface device that the setting content is in an initial state. , Those having an activation means for activating the configuration program for the interface device.

In the network setting system according to the first aspect, the determination means of the interface device compares the content set in the device itself with the setting content in the initial state, and determines whether the setting content has been changed. And if it is determined that the setting has not been changed, the notifying means broadcasts, via a network, information indicating that the setting contents are in the initial state. Start the configuration program for This saves the user (network administrator) from having to find and start the setting program.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the interface device for connecting a device to a network, the content set in its own device is compared with the content set in an initial state, and the setting content is changed. Determining means for determining whether or not the setting content has been changed, and a notification for broadcasting notification via the network that the setting content is in an initial state when the setting content has not been changed. Means.

In the interface device according to the second aspect, the judging means compares the contents set in the own device with the contents set in the initial state, and judges whether or not the set contents have been changed. If it is determined that the setting has not been changed, the notifying unit broadcasts information indicating that the setting content is in the initial state via the network.
As a result, it is possible to notify the setting program that there is an unset interface device and start the setting program.

A setting device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a setting device connected to a network and configured to set an interface device for connecting a device to the network. When an information indicating that the setting content of the interface device is in an initial state is received, the interface device is provided with a starting unit that starts a setting program for the interface device.

In the setting device according to the third aspect, when the starting means receives a notification from the interface device that information indicating that the setting contents of the interface device are in an initial state, the setting means for the interface device is provided. Start the program. This saves the user (network administrator) from having to find and start the setting program.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network setting method for setting an interface device for connecting a device to a network, wherein the content set in the interface device and the initial value of the interface device are set. A setting step of comparing the setting contents of the state and determining whether the setting contents have been changed, and when it is determined in the determining step that the setting contents have not been changed, the setting contents are in the initial state. Notification step of performing broadcast notification of the information to the effect via the network.

In the network setting method according to the fourth aspect, in the determining step, the content set in the interface device for connecting the device to the network is compared with the initial content of the interface device. It is determined whether or not the setting content has been changed, and if it is determined in the determining process that the setting content has not been changed, in the notification process, information indicating that the setting content is in the initial state is transmitted via the network. Broadcast notification. This allows
The setting program is notified that there is an unset interface device, and the setting program can be started.

A network setting method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a network setting method for setting an interface device for connecting a device to a network, wherein the interface device is transmitted from the interface device via the network. In the case where there is a notification of information indicating that the setting content of the interface device is in the initial state, a start step of starting the setting program for the interface device is included.

[0015] In the network setting method according to the fifth aspect, when the interface device notifies the information that the setting contents of the interface device are in the initial state via the network, the starting step includes the steps of: The setting program for the interface device is started.
This saves the user (network administrator) from having to find and start the setting program.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the network setting method of the fifth aspect, the information that the setting content is in an initial state includes information of a unique address of the interface device. Is what it is.

In the network setting method according to the sixth aspect, the information that the setting content is in the initial state includes the information of the unique address of the interface device, so that the user (network administrator) can use the MAC address. This eliminates the need to check information on a unique address such as an address.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a network according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the network according to the present embodiment, a client or server personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a PC) 101, a printer 102,
103 and 104 and an image scanner 105 are communicably connected by a network cable 106.

Each of the printers 102 to 104 and the image scanner 105 has a built-in or built-in network interface card (hereinafter, referred to as an NIC) for connecting to a network. On the PC 101, a setting utility (setting program) for setting the printers 102 to 104 and the image scanner 105, that is, setting the NIC mounted or built in these devices, is operating. Network cable 10
6 physically configures the network,
Protocols for setting network devices (equipment) such as to 104 are transmitted over the network cable 106 and transmitted to each network device. In this example, one PC is shown, but a plurality of PCs may be used, and devices connected to the network may be other devices such as a multifunction copier.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the NIC according to the present embodiment. The NIC 201 according to the present embodiment is mounted or built in the printers 102 to 104 or the like, and stores the setting contents regarding communication and the like at the time of factory shipment, that is, the initial state setting contents (hereinafter, referred to as factory shipping state). Factory state storage unit 2 to be stored
02, a setting content storage unit 203 for storing the contents of the settings related to the current communication and the like, and a factory default state stored in the factory state storage unit 202 and a current setting content stored in the setting content storage unit 203. And a setting unit 205 that changes the setting content stored in the setting content storage unit 203 from the factory shipping state. Based on the current settings have not been changed from the factory default,
That is, a notifying unit 206 that generates an unset notification packet for notifying that the setting by the user has not yet been performed and transmits the unset notification packet, and the printers 102 to 1
And an interface (I / F) unit 207 that performs communication with the network 04 and the like and a network.

The factory default storage unit 202 stores factory default settings, and the setting content storage unit 203 stores current settings, that is, the MAC address, device name, IP address, etc. set in the own device. The comparison determination unit 204 compares the factory default state stored in the factory state storage unit 202 with the current setting content stored in the setting content storage unit 203 to determine whether they are the same. I do. When the comparison determination unit 204 determines that the factory shipping state and the current setting are the same, the notification unit 206 generates an unset notification packet and broadcasts the packet to the network via the I / F unit 207. I do. The setting unit 205
When a setting command is issued from a setting utility to be described later via the network and the I / F unit 207, the setting contents are changed and the setting contents storage unit 203 is rewritten.

FIG. 3 shows a PC 101 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the embodiment. The PC 101 is a setting utility (setting program) 301a to 301b for setting devices such as the printers 102 to 104 connected to the network, in other words, for setting the NIC 201 mounted or built in these devices.
And a starting unit 30 for starting these setting utilities
2 and an I / F unit 3 for performing communication with the network
03.

The starting unit (starting program) 302 is a PC
101, when the I / F unit 303 receives an unconfigured notification packet via the network, the reception of the unconfigured notification packet triggers a setting utility corresponding to the NIC that transmitted the unconfigured notification packet. to start. The setting utilities 301a to 301b and the activation unit 302 may be configured as one integrated setting utility.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an unset notification packet according to the present embodiment. In this example, the unset notification packet 401 includes a printer name (device name) and a unique address (MAC
Address) and an IP address. By including this MAC address in the data of the unset notification packet 401, the setting utilities 301a to 3
01b and the activation unit 302 can determine the NIC to be set.

In this example, the data format is a text format for simplicity, but may be binary data or encrypted data in consideration of traffic reduction and security. The unset notification packet 401 itself is created according to the communication protocol of the network. For example, in a TCP / IP environment, U
Create in PD, if it is IPX environment, SPX or I
What is necessary is just to transmit as data on PX.

The PC 101 and the printers 102 to 10
4, the system including the image scanner 105 and the network cable 106 corresponds to the network setting system of the present invention, the NIC 201 corresponds to the interface device of the present invention, the PC 101 corresponds to the setting device of the present invention, The unit 204 corresponds to the determination unit of the present invention.

In the above configuration, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of the operation of the NIC 201 according to the present embodiment. The NIC 201 uses timer control to check for a change in the setting for notifying that the setting of the NIC 201 has not been changed. After the NIC 201 has completed the initialization operation and started up, an event for checking the content change is prepared as one of the system timer events to be started up.

In the operation of the NIC 201, first, the comparison / determination unit 204 waits until an event of a setting content check occurs (S501), and when an event of a content change occurs, the currently set content of the NIC 201 is deleted. It is read from the setting content storage unit 203, and the factory shipping state is read from the factory shipping state storage unit 202 (S
502). Since the setting content storage unit 203 is required not to lose the setting content even when the power is turned off,
It is composed of a nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM) or the like.

Next, the comparison judgment section 204 compares the current setting contents with the factory shipping state (S503), and if there is a difference, judges that some setting has already been made by the user, and It returns to S501. On the other hand, if the current setting contents are the same as the factory shipping state, it is determined that no communication-related settings have been made, and the notification unit 20
6 generates an unset notification packet 401 (S50).
4) Broadcast transmission of the generated unconfigured notification packet 401 via the I / F unit 207 (S50).
5).

FIG. 6 shows a PC 101 according to the present embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing a flow of the operation of FIG. PC101
In the operation (1), the I / F unit 303 receives the packet sent to the PC 101 (S601). Starting unit 30
2 is that the I / F unit 30
3 monitors the received packet and checks whether it is an unset notification packet 401 from the NIC 201,
It waits until the unset notification packet 401 is received (S602).

When the unset notification packet 401 is received, it is determined that a new NIC is physically installed somewhere in the network (LAN), and the information of the MAC address is read from the unset notification packet 401 ( In step S603, a corresponding setting utility is started (S604). At this time, the MAC address information included in the unset notification packet 401 is transmitted to the setting utility 3
By giving the information 01a, 301b and the activation unit 302 as argument information and notifying the administrator using a message box or the like, the administrator can know what kind of MAC address is added to the NIC. .

As described above, according to the present embodiment, N
The IC 201 compares the current setting contents of the own device with the state at the time of shipment from the factory, and when there is no change in the setting contents, broadcasts the change to the network (LAN) to determine that there is an unset NIC. , Utility software (setting utilities 301a, 301b)
And start-up unit 302), so that it is not necessary for the network administrator to select a utility, and the devices connected to the network can be quickly made available. Also, since the MAC address, which is the means for determining the NIC, is notified to the PC 101,
This eliminates the need for the network administrator to check the MAC. As described above, at the same time as the introduction of the new NIC, the utility for setting is started and the setting is urged, so that the introduction of the NIC can be automated, and a remarkable improvement in usability is achieved.

[0033]

As described above, according to the network setting system of the present invention (claim 1), the judgment means of the interface device compares the contents set in the own device with the contents set in the initial state, It is determined whether or not the settings have been changed, and if it is determined that the settings have not been changed,
The notifying means broadcasts, via a network, information that the setting contents are in an initial state, and the starting device of the setting device starts a setting program for the interface device.
Saves the hassle of finding and launching a configuration program,
The load on the user can be reduced.

Also, in the interface device of the present invention (claim 2), the judging means compares the content set in the own device with the setting content in the initial state, and determines whether or not the setting content has been changed. If it is determined that the setting has not been changed, the notification unit broadcasts information indicating that the setting content is in the initial state via the network. As a result, it is possible to notify the setting program that there is an unconfigured interface device and to start the setting program. This saves the user (network administrator) from having to find and start the setting program, and saves the user. Can be reduced.

Further, the setting device of the present invention (claim 3)
When the start unit receives a notification from the interface device via the network that the setting contents of the interface device are in the initial state, the start unit starts the setting program for the interface device. ) Does not have to find and start the setting program, and the load on the user can be reduced.

Further, in the network setting method of the present invention (claim 4), in the determining step, the content set in the interface device for connecting the device to the network is compared with the content set in the initial state of the interface device. Then, it is determined whether the setting content has been changed, and when it is determined in the determination process that the setting content has not been changed,
In the notification step, information indicating that the setting content is in the initial state is broadcasted via a network. As a result, it is possible to notify the setting program that there is an unconfigured interface device and to start the setting program. This saves the user (network administrator) from having to find and start the setting program, and saves the user. Can be reduced.

Further, the network setting method according to the present invention (claim 5) is characterized in that, when the interface device receives, via a network, information indicating that the setting contents of the interface device are in the initial state, so,
Since the setting program for the interface device is started, a user (network administrator) does not need to find and start the setting program, and the load on the user can be reduced.

According to the network setting method of the present invention (claim 6), the information that the setting content is in the initial state includes the information of the unique address of the interface device. Can save the trouble of checking the information of the unique address such as the MAC address, and the load on the user can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an NIC according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a PC according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an unset notification packet according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation of the NIC according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation of the PC according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 Personal computer (PC) 102, 103, 104 Printer 105 Image scanner 106 Network cable 201 Network interface card (NI
C) 202 Factory state storage unit 203 Setting contents storage unit 204 Comparison judgment unit 205 Setting unit 206 Notification unit 207, 303 Interface (I / F) unit 301a, 301b Setting utility 302 Activation unit 401 Unset notification packet

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A network setting system comprising: an interface device for connecting a device to a network; and a setting device connected to the network and configured to set the interface device. By comparing the set contents with the set contents in the initial state, determining means for determining whether the set contents have been changed, and when it is determined that the set contents have not been changed by the determining means, Notification means for performing broadcast notification via the network that the setting content is in the initial state, wherein the setting device receives a notification from the interface device that the setting content is in the initial state. In the case, the apparatus further comprises a starting unit for starting a setting program for the interface device. Network configuration system. 2. An interface device for connecting a device to a network, in which an interface device compares the content set in its own device with the content set in an initial state, and determines whether or not the setting content has been changed. And a notifying unit that broadcasts, via the network, information indicating that the setting content is in an initial state when the setting content is determined not to be changed by the determining unit. Interface device. 3. A setting device which is connected to a network and performs setting of an interface device for connecting a device to the network, wherein the setting contents of the interface device are initialized from the interface device via the network. A setting device, comprising: starting means for starting a setting program for the interface device when notified of information indicating that the setting information is present. 4. A network setting method for setting an interface device for connecting a device to a network, comprising: comparing contents set in the interface device with settings in an initial state of the interface device; A determination step of determining whether or not the content has been changed, and when it is determined that the setting content has not been changed in the determination step, information indicating that the setting content is in an initial state, via the network. A network setting method, comprising: a notification step of performing a broadcast notification. 5. A network setting method for setting an interface device for connecting a device to a network, wherein the setting content of the interface device is in an initial state from the interface device via the network. A network setting method including a start step of starting a setting program for the interface device when information is notified. 6. The network setting method according to claim 5, wherein the information that the setting content is in an initial state includes information of a unique address of the interface device.