JP2002149515A - Network controller, data processor, server device, network control method, data processing method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively avoid a situation in which a fault is given to data processing based on a preceding access request even though an access request competing with a requested network device is produced. SOLUTION: A setting request on a network operation level, which is set in a network device by a user according to each device software for performing data communication processing in a PC 103 or a print server 108 is sequentially received, the set network operation level is stored, and the operation level of the network device is notified the PC of a request source with the stored network operation level in response to the PC of the request source according to an acquisition request for a network operation level from any PC.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network control device for controlling a network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices for making a certain operation request to the network device via the network, and a network control device for controlling the network device. A server device that controls the network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices that issue a certain type of operation request to the network device; and a data processing device that can communicate with a server device that controls the network device via a network. The present invention relates to a network control method, a data processing method, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a computer in a data processing system of this kind has conventionally used a local area network (L).
AN). A local area network can be a building floor or an entire building,
It can be interconnected for incorporation into larger systems, spanning buildings (campus), 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.

[0003] A simple LAN separated from the others can be managed by individual users. In other words, users can replace equipment, install software,
And diagnose problems.

On the other hand, large and complex LANs and large interconnected LAN groups require "management". Here, "management" means management by both a human network administrator and software used by the administrator. In other words, “management” means management by software to manage the entire system,
"User" shall mean a person using the 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. In general, there are various systems owned by various people and supplied by various vendors.

[0006]

However, in the conventional network device control system, software for performing a certain operation on the printer independently operates the printer. There was a problem that it could affect the processing of software.

When an error occurs in a device to be managed on a network, an error can be notified to an administrator of the device to be managed by e-mail. However, since it is not clearly notified where the managed device is physically located, if the administrator attempts to recover the error of the managed device, the administrator must search for the location of the managed device. There was a problem that it had to be done.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of data processing systems for making a certain operation request to a network device via a network. In a network control device that controls the network device by communicating with the device, sequentially receives a network operation level setting request set by a user for the network device according to respective device software that performs data communication processing in each data processing device, The set network operation level is held, and in response to a network operation level acquisition request from any of the data processing devices, the network operation level held by the holding unit is responded to the requesting data processing device. Operating level of the network device By notifying the requesting data processing device, even if a conflicting access request occurs in the requested network device, it is possible to effectively avoid a situation in which the data processing based on the preceding access request is hindered. An object of the present invention is to provide a network control device, a network control method, and a storage medium that can be used.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a data processing device capable of communicating with a network control device for controlling a network device via a network, wherein the network control device performs a network control according to a network operation level acquisition request set for the network control device. The setting state of the network operation level responded from the device is determined, and when it is determined that the network operation level is not set, the network control device requests the network control device to set a desired network operation level, and When it is determined that the operation level is set, the network operation level being set is analyzed to determine whether the operation requested by the user is executable, and the operation requested by the user is executable. If it is determined that there is, the operation requested by the user If the request to the server device, it is determined that required operating the user is not feasible,
By notifying the user to that effect, it is possible to effectively avoid a situation in which data processing based on preceding access is hindered in accordance with an access request from each data processing apparatus sharing the network device. And a data processing method and a storage medium.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a data processing device capable of communicating with a server device controlling a network device via a network, wherein the data processing device responds to the request from the server device according to a request for acquiring a network operation level set for the server device. The setting state of the network operation level to be set is determined, and if it is determined that the network operation level has not been set, the server apparatus is requested to set a desired network operation level, and the network operation level is set. If it is determined that the operation requested by the user is executable by analyzing the network operation level being set, it is determined that the operation requested by the user is executable. In this case, the operation requested by the user is requested from the server device, If it is determined that the operation to be performed is not executable, the user is notified that the operation is not executable, and according to the access request from each data processing apparatus sharing the network device, data processing based on the preceding access is impaired. An object of the present invention is to provide a data processing device, a data processing method, and a storage medium that can effectively avoid a situation.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a server device which controls a network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices which make a certain operation request to a network device via a network. A request for setting a network operation level set by a user for the network device is sequentially received in accordance with each device software that performs communication processing, and the set network operation level is held, and a request from any of the data processing apparatuses is held. According to the acquisition request of the network operation level, by responding to the requesting data processing device the network operation level held by the holding unit, even if an access request that conflicts with the requested network device occurs,
An object of the present invention is to provide a server device, a network control method, and a storage medium that can effectively avoid a situation in which data processing based on a preceding access request is hindered.

A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a network control device capable of issuing a certain operation request to a plurality of network devices via a network, monitoring the result, and sending an e-mail to a server connected to the network. In the server device, mail information is held in the server device for sending mail, and when status information is acquired from each network device, it is determined whether a device map including the arrangement information of each network device is available, and the device map is stored. When it is determined that it is available, create a device icon indicating a specific state based on the analysis of the state information acquired by the acquisition means, synthesize the device icon indicating the created specific state with the device map, Furthermore, the device information is transmitted to the server device from the synthesized device map and the status information. By creating an e-mail to be sent, when a failure of a network device occurs, when the failure status is notified by e-mail to the network administrator, the network device in which the failure has occurred is located. An object of the present invention is to provide a network control device, a network control method, and a storage medium which are excellent in convenience and can be transmitted including a device map, and a network manager can clearly specify a location where a failure has occurred.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network (LANs 100, 110, and LAN shown in FIG. 1).
And a network controller (corresponding to the network board 101 shown in FIG. 4) that controls the network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices that make a certain operation request to the network device via A network set by a user for the network device according to respective device software (including network device management software, printer driver, job management software, resource management software, etc.) for performing data communication processing in each data processing device. User request receiving means (corresponding to the network board 101 shown in FIG. 4) for sequentially receiving operation level setting requests, and holding means (the network board 1 shown in FIG. 4) for holding the network operation level set by the user request receiving means. 1) and responds to the requesting data processing device with the network operation level held by the holding means in accordance with the network operation level acquisition request from any of the data processing devices. Response means (corresponding to the network board 101 shown in FIG. 4) and deletion means for deleting the network operation level stored in the holding means in response to a release request of the network operation level from any data processing device (FIG. 4 (corresponding to the network board 101 shown in FIG. 4).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the network device includes a printer (printers 109a, 109b, 101, and 11 having unique processing capabilities shown in FIG. 1).
6,117, etc.).

[0015] In a third aspect of the present invention, the user request receiving means is capable of receiving different network operation levels indicating the occupancy of the network device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing apparatus capable of communicating with a network control apparatus for controlling a network device via a network, the network processing level being set for the network control apparatus. Requesting means (corresponding to the NIC 508 shown in FIG. 5) for making an acquisition request, and first judging means for judging a setting state of a network operation level responded from the network control device according to the acquisition request by the acquisition requesting means The CPU 501 shown in FIG.
1), and when the first determining means determines that the network operation level has not been set, the network controller determines whether the network operation level is not set. Operation level setting means (corresponding to a configuration in which the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 5 executes the control program stored in the hard disk 511 or the like) to request the setting of the network operation level, and the first discrimination means. If it is determined that the operation level has been set, the network operation level being set is analyzed to determine whether or not the operation requested by the user is executable (the CPU 501 shown in FIG. Hard disk 51
1), and when the second determining means determines that the operation requested by the user is executable, the request is made by the user. An operation requesting unit (NIC 50 shown in FIG. 5) for requesting an operation from the network control device.
And a notifying unit (CPU 50 shown in FIG. 5) for notifying the user that the operation requested by the user is not executable by the second determining unit.
1 executes a control program stored in the hard disk 511 or the like to notify the notification).

A fifth invention according to the present invention is a data processing device capable of communicating with a server device (corresponding to PCs 108 and 115 shown in FIG. 1) for controlling a network device via a network. An acquisition request unit (corresponding to the NIC 508 shown in FIG. 5) for making an acquisition request for the network operation level set for the network unit, and a setting state of the network operation level responded from the server device according to the acquisition request by the acquisition request unit. A first determining means for determining (corresponding to a configuration in which the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 5 executes the control program stored in the hard disk 511 or the like) and a network operation level is set by the first determining means. If it is determined that there is no network operation level for the server device, And a network operation level set by the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 5 by executing a control program stored in the hard disk 511 or the like. If it is determined that the operation is performed, the network operation level being set is analyzed to determine whether the operation requested by the user is executable (the CPU 501 shown in FIG.
1), and when the second determining means determines that the operation requested by the user is executable, the request is made by the user. Operation requesting means for requesting an operation from the server device (corresponding to NIC 508 shown in FIG. 5)
Notification means for notifying the user that the operation requested by the user is not executable by the second determination means (the control program stored in the hard disk 511 or the like by the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 5) (Which corresponds to a configuration of notifying by executing the above).

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the network device includes a printer (printer 109a, 109b, 101, 11 having a unique processing capability shown in FIG. 1).
6,117, etc.).

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the operation level setting means can set different network operation levels (corresponding to the operation levels shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) indicating the occupancy of the network device. It is.

An eighth invention according to the present invention is a server device for controlling a network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices that issue a certain kind of operation request to a network device via a network, User request receiving means (P shown in FIG. 1) for sequentially receiving a network operation level setting request set by a user for the network device in accordance with device software for performing data communication processing in each data processing device.
C108), holding means for holding the network operation level set by the user request receiving means (corresponding to a memory resource in the PC 108 shown in FIG. 1), and Responding means (PC1 shown in FIG. 1) for responding to the requesting data processing device with the network operation level held by the holding means in accordance with the network operation level acquisition request;
08), and according to a release request of the network operation level from any of the data processing devices,
Deletion means for deleting the network operation level stored in the storage means (the CPU in the PC 108 shown in FIG. 1)
).

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the network device includes a printer (printer 109a, 10b, 101, 116,
117 etc.).

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the user request receiving means can receive different network operation levels indicating the occupancy of the network device.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a server device connected to the network (see FIG. 1) issues a certain operation request to a plurality of network devices via a network, monitors the result, and monitors the result. A network control device (PC capable of operating network management software) capable of transmitting mail to the e-mail server 118 shown in FIG.
Holding means (RAM 50 shown in FIG. 5) for holding mail information for sending mail to the server device.
3, corresponding to the hard disk 511), an obtaining unit (corresponding to the NIC 508 shown in FIG. 5) for obtaining status information from each network device, and determination for determining whether a device map including arrangement information of each network device can be used. Means (corresponding to a configuration in which the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 5 determines by executing a control program stored in the hard disk 511 or the like) and, when the determination means determines that the device map can be used, the acquisition means Icon creation means for creating a device icon indicating a specific state based on analysis of the acquired state information (corresponding to a configuration created by CPU 501 shown in FIG. 5 by executing a control program stored in hard disk 511 or the like); Indicates the specific state created by the icon creation means Synthesizing means for synthesizing a device icon with the device map (corresponding to a configuration in which CPU 501 shown in FIG. 5 executes a control program stored in hard disk 511 or the like) and a device map synthesized by the synthesizing means Mail creation means for creating a mail to be sent to the server device from the status information (the CPU 501 shown in FIG.
11 corresponds to a configuration created by executing a control program stored in the storage device 11).

[0024] In a twelfth aspect according to the present invention, the icon creation means determines an error level that has occurred based on the status information acquired by the acquisition means, and determines the error level according to each error level. A device icon indicating a specific state is created.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the device map includes location information (for example, corresponding to a user icon) of a specific user.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the acquisition means acquires status information from each network device according to a predetermined protocol.

[0027] In a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined protocol is an SNMP protocol.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network control device for controlling a network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices which make a certain operation request to the network device via a network. A user request receiving step of sequentially receiving a network operation level setting request set by a user for the network device in accordance with device software for performing data communication processing in each data processing apparatus (step S702 shown in FIG. 7) , S710) and a holding step of holding the network operation level set in the user request receiving step in a holding unit (step S702 shown in FIG. 7).
And a response step of responding to the requesting data processing device the network operation level held by the holding means in accordance with the network operation level acquisition request from any of the data processing devices (step S705 shown in FIG. 7). ), And a deleting step of deleting the network operation level held in the holding means in accordance with the network operation level release request from any of the data processing devices (steps S714 and S71 shown in FIG. 7).
6).

In a seventeenth aspect according to the present invention, the network device is a printer.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the user request receiving step, a different network operation level indicating the occupancy of the network device can be received.

A nineteenth invention according to the present invention relates to a data processing method in a data processing device capable of communicating with a network control device for controlling a network device via a network, wherein the data processing method is set for the network control device. Acquisition requesting step of making an acquisition request for the network operation level that is present (step S704 shown in FIG. 7)
A first determining step of determining a setting state of a network operation level responded from the network control device in accordance with the acquisition request in the acquisition request step (FIG. 7)
Step S706), an operation level setting step of requesting the network control device to set a desired network operation level when it is determined in the first determination step that the network operation level has not been set (FIG. Step S710 shown in FIG. 7), and when it is determined in the first determination step that the network operation level is set, whether the network operation level being set is analyzed and the operation requested by the user can be executed. A second determination step (steps S707 and S708 shown in FIG. 7) for determining whether or not the operation requested by the user is executable in the second determination step. An operation requesting step of requesting an operation from the network control device (step shown in FIG. 7) 712), and a notification step (step S709 shown in FIG. 7) for notifying the user that the operation requested by the user is not executable in the second determination step. .

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method in a data processing device capable of communicating with a server device which controls a network device via a network, wherein the data processing method comprises the steps of: An acquisition request step for making an operation level acquisition request (step S804 shown in FIG. 8), and a first determination step for determining a setting state of the network operation level responded from the server device according to the acquisition request in the acquisition request step ( Step S806 shown in FIG. 8) and an operation level setting step of requesting the server device to set a desired network operation level when it is determined in the first determination step that the network operation level has not been set. (Step S810 shown in FIG. 8)
And when the network operation level is determined to be set in the first determination step, analyzing the network operation level being set to determine whether or not the operation requested by the user is executable. (Steps S807 and S808 shown in FIG. 8) and when it is determined that the operation requested by the user is executable in the second determination step, the operation requested by the user is transmitted to the server device. A requesting operation requesting step (step S812 shown in FIG. 8), and a notifying step of notifying the user of the fact that it is determined that the operation requested by the user is not executable in the second determining step (FIG. 8). Step S809) shown in FIG.

In a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the network device is a printer.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the operation level setting step, different network operation levels indicating the occupancy of network devices can be set.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network control method in a server device which controls a network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices which make a certain operation request to a network device via a network. A user request receiving step of sequentially receiving a network operation level setting request set by a user for the network device in accordance with device software for performing data communication processing in each data processing device (step S802 shown in FIG. 8)
And a holding step of holding the network operation level set by the user request receiving step in a holding unit (step S802 shown in FIG. 8). A response step of responding to the requesting data processing device the network operation level held by the holding means (steps S805 and S81 shown in FIG. 8)
1) and a deletion step (steps S814 and S816 shown in FIG. 8) for deleting the network operation level stored in the storage unit in accordance with a release request for the network operation level from any data processing device. Things.

[0036] In a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, the network device is a printer.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the user request receiving step, different network operation levels indicating the occupancy of the network device can be received.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, a certain type of operation request can be made to a plurality of network devices via a network, the result can be monitored, and a mail can be sent to a server device connected to the network. A network control method in a network control device,
A holding step of holding the mail information in the holding means for sending the mail to the server device (step S1 shown in FIG. 16)
301) and an acquisition step of acquiring state information from each network device (step S1302 shown in FIG. 16)
To S1309), a determining step (step S1310 shown in FIG. 16) for determining whether a device map including the arrangement information of each network device is available, and a case where the determining step determines that the device map is available. An icon creation step for creating a device icon indicating a specific state based on the analysis of the state information acquired by the acquisition step (step S1311 shown in FIG. 16); and a device icon indicating the specific state created by the icon creation step (Step S1312 shown in FIG. 16), and a mail creating step (FIG. 16) for creating an email to be sent to the server device from the device map combined in the combining step and the state information. 16
Step S1313) shown in FIG.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the icon creation step, an error level occurring based on the status information acquired in the acquisition step is determined,
By the determination, a device icon indicating a specific state corresponding to each error level is created.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the device map includes arrangement information of a specific user.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the obtaining step, the status information is obtained from each network device according to a predetermined protocol.

[0042] In a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined protocol is an SNMP protocol.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network control device for controlling a network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices for making a certain operation request to the network device via a network. A user request receiving step (steps S702 and S710 shown in FIG. 7) for sequentially receiving a network operation level setting request set by a user for the network device according to respective device software for performing data communication processing in the data processing device; The holding step (steps S702 and S711 shown in FIG. 7) for holding the network operation level set by the user request receiving step in the holding means, and the holding in accordance with the network operation level acquisition request from any of the data processing devices. means According to a response step (step S705 shown in FIG. 7) for responding to the requesting data processing device the network operation level that has been retained, and according to a release request for the network operation level from any of the data processing devices, A program for executing a deletion step (steps S714 and S716 shown in FIG. 7) for deleting the network operation level stored in the means is recorded on a recording medium in a computer-readable manner.

[0044] In a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, the network device is a printer.

According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, in the user request receiving step, a different network operation level indicating the occupancy of the network device can be received.

According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, a data processing device capable of communicating with a network control device for controlling a network device via a network acquires a network operation level set for the network control device. An acquisition request step for making a request (step S704 shown in FIG. 7), and a first determination step for determining the setting state of the network operation level responded from the network control device according to the acquisition request in the acquisition request step (FIG. 7) Step S706), and an operation level setting step of requesting the network control device to set a desired network operation level when it is determined in the first determination step that the network operation level has not been set (FIG. Step S710) shown in FIG. A second determining step of analyzing the currently set network operation level and determining whether or not the operation requested by the user is executable, when it is determined in the first determination step that the network operation level is set; (Steps S707 and S708 shown in FIG. 7)
And an operation requesting step of requesting the network control device for an operation requested by the user when it is determined in the second determining step that the operation requested by the user is executable (step S712 shown in FIG. 7). )When,
When it is determined that the operation requested by the user is not executable in the second determination step, a notification step of notifying the user to that effect (step S70 shown in FIG. 7).
9) is recorded on a recording medium in a computer-readable manner to execute the program.

According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, a data processing apparatus capable of communicating with a server controlling a network device via a network transmits a request for acquiring a network operation level set for the server. Acquisition request step to be performed (step S804 shown in FIG. 8)
A first determining step (step S806 shown in FIG. 8) for determining a setting state of a network operation level responded from the server device according to the obtaining request in the obtaining request step; If it is determined that the level has not been set, an operation level setting step (step S810 shown in FIG. 8) for requesting the server device to set a desired network operation level, and the first determination step If it is determined that the operation level has been set, a second determination step (step S80 shown in FIG. 8) of analyzing the network operation level being set and determining whether or not the operation requested by the user is executable.
7, S808), and an operation requesting step of requesting the server device for an operation requested by the user when it is determined in the second determination step that the operation requested by the user is executable (see FIG. 8). Step S812 shown)
And a notifying step of notifying the user that the operation requested by the user is not executable in the second determining step (step S shown in FIG. 8).
809) is recorded on a recording medium in a computer-readable manner.

In a thirty-sixth aspect according to the present invention, the network device is a printer.

According to a thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the operation level setting step, different network operation levels indicating the occupancy of network devices can be set.

A thirty-eighth invention according to the present invention provides a server device which controls a network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices which make a certain operation request to a network device via a network. A user request receiving step (step S802 shown in FIG. 8) for sequentially receiving a network operation level setting request set by a user for the network device in accordance with device software for performing data communication processing in the processing device; A holding step of holding the network operation level set by the step in the holding means (step S802 shown in FIG. 8);
A response step of responding to the requesting data processing apparatus the network operation level held by the holding means in accordance with the network operation level acquisition request from any of the data processing apparatuses (step S shown in FIG. 8);
805, S811) and a deletion step of deleting the network operation level held in the holding means in accordance with the network operation level release request from any of the data processing devices (steps S814, S81 shown in FIG. 8).
816) is recorded on a recording medium in a computer-readable manner.

In a thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention, the network device is a printer.

According to a fortieth aspect of the present invention, in the user request receiving step, a different network operation level indicating the occupancy of the network device can be received.

According to a forty-first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to make a certain operation request to a plurality of network devices via a network, monitor the result, and send a mail to a server device connected to the network. In the network control device, a holding step (step S1301 shown in FIG. 16) of holding mail information in a holding unit for sending mail to the server device, and an obtaining step of obtaining state information from each network device (shown in FIG. 16) Steps S1302 to S1309) and a judging step of judging whether or not a device map including the arrangement information of each network device is available (Step S130 shown in FIG. 16).
1310) and an icon creation step of creating a device icon indicating a specific state based on the analysis of the state information acquired in the acquisition step when it is determined that the device map is available in the determination step (FIG. 1)
6 and a synthesizing step of synthesizing a device icon indicating the specific state created by the icon creating step with the device map (FIG. 1).
6 and a mail creating step (step S1313 shown in FIG. 16) of creating a mail to be sent to the server device from the device map and the status information synthesized by the synthesizing step. Is recorded on a recording medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to a forty-second aspect of the present invention, in the icon creating step, an error level occurring based on the status information acquired in the acquiring step is determined,
By the determination, a device icon indicating a specific state corresponding to each error level is created.

According to a forty-third aspect of the present invention, the device map includes location information of a specific user.

According to a forty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the obtaining step, the status information is obtained from each network device according to a predetermined protocol.

In a forty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined protocol is an SNMP protocol. [Detailed description of the invention]

[0058]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network control device for controlling a network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices for making a certain operation request to the network device via the network, and a network control device for controlling the network device. A server device that controls the network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices that issue a certain type of operation request to the network device; and a data processing device that can communicate with a server device that controls the network device via a network. The present invention relates to a network control method, a data processing method, and a storage medium.

[0059]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a network system to which an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. And corresponds to an example of a network system to which devices managed by network management software are connected.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a network board (NEB) for connecting a printer 102 having an open architecture to a network. The NB 101 is connected to a local area network (LAN) 100 by an Ethernet interface 10 Bass having a coaxial connector.
e2, LAN such as 10BaseT with RJ-45
Connected via interface.

A plurality of personal computers (PCs) such as the PCs 103 and 104 are also connected to the LAN 100. Under the control of the network operating system, these PCs 103 and 104 are connected to the NB1.
01 can be communicated with.

Therefore, one of the PCs, for example, the PC 103 can be used for network management. Also, P
A local printer such as the printer 105 directly connected to the C104 may be connected.

The LAN 100 has a file server 106
Is connected, and the file server 106 has a large-capacity (for example, about 10 billion bytes) network disk 1.
The access to the file stored in 07 is managed.

The print server 108 causes a plurality of connected printers 109a and 109b or a printer such as the printer 105 at a remote place to perform printing. Also,
Other peripheral devices (not shown) may be connected to the LAN 100.

The file server 106 plays a role as a file management unit for receiving, storing, queuing, caching, and transmitting files between LAN members.

For example, the 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,
According to the command 08, the arranged data files are transmitted to one of the printers 109a and 109b.

The PC 103 as a client and the PC 104 as a remote printer generate a data file and send the generated data file to the LAN 100, respectively.
, And can receive files from the LAN 100, and further display and / or process those files, and are configured by a general personal computer.

Although FIG. 1 shows a personal computer device, other computer devices that are suitable for executing network software may be included. For example, if UNIX software is used, UNIX workstations may be included in the network, and these workstations may be used with the illustrated PC under appropriate circumstances. .

Typically, a LAN such as LAN 100 provides services to relatively local user groups, such as user groups on one floor or multiple consecutive floors in a building.

For example, a wide area network (WAN) may be created as a user moves away from another user, such as when the user is in another building or another prefecture.

Basically, the WAN is composed of several LANs.
Are connected by a high-speed digital line such as an integrated services digital network (ISDN).

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
0, LAN 110, and LAN 120 are connected via a modem / transponder 130 and a backbone 140 to form a WAN.

Each LAN includes a dedicated PC,
Further, a file server and a print server may be included as necessary.

As shown in FIG. 1, the LAN 110 is a PC
11, a PCl 12, a file server 113, a network disk 114, a print server 115, and a printer 116. In contrast, the LAN 120 is connected to the PC 121
And the PC 122 only. LAN100, LAN11
0, and devices connected to the LAN 120 are WA
It is possible to access functions of devices connected to other LANs via the N connection.

The LAN 100 has a WW (not shown)
HTML generated by network management software installed on WWW server by connecting W server
Copy the document to W
It can be displayed using a WW browser, or the WW
The printer settings made on the W browser can be transmitted to a specific printer via network management software on the WWW server 150.

More specifically, the network shown in FIG. 1 can use network software such as Novell or UNIX software in order to efficiently communicate between various network members. Although any network software can be used, for example, Novell's NetWare (No.
vell.RTM. software can be used. A detailed description of this software package is provided in the online documentation included with the NetWare package. this is,
It can be purchased from Novell with the NetWare package.

Briefly, the file server 10
Reference numeral 6 serves as a file management unit that receives, stores, queues, caches, and transmits data files between LAN members. For example, PC103
And the data files created by the PC 104 are sent to the file server 106. The file server 106 arranges these data files in order, and transmits the arranged data files to the printer 109a according to a command from the print server 108. .

Each of the PC 103 and the PC 104 generates a data file, and executes the LAN of the generated data file.
It is composed of a normal PC capable of transmitting data to the LAN 100, receiving a file from the LAN 100, and displaying and / or processing such a file.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Are the PC 111, the PC 112, and the file server 11
3, a network disk 114, a print server 115, a printer 116 and a printer 117, and an e-mail server 118. In contrast, LAN 120 includes only PC 121 and PC 122. LAN 100,
The devices connected to the LAN 110 and the LAN 120 can access the functions of the devices of other LANs via the WAN connection.

As a method for managing devices on a network constituting a large-scale network system as described above, several attempts have been made by many standard organizations so far. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has established OpenSystem 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.

In the United States, a simple network management protocol (Simple Network Management Protocol, SN)
There is a variant of a protocol related to CMIP called MP) (Marshall T. Rose, The Simple Book, Prent
ice-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.

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 Base)
Call.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of an MIB in a network system applicable to the network control device according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the MIB has a tree-structured data structure, and all nodes are uniquely numbered. In FIG. 2, the number written in parentheses is the identifier of the node.

For example, in FIG. 2, the identifier of the node 401 is “1”. The identifier of node 402 is node 4
Since it is 3 below 01, it is described as "1.3". Similarly, the identifier of the node 403 is “1.3.3.6.1.
2 ".

The node identifier is called an object identifier (OBJECT IDENTIFIER).

This MIB has a management information structure (SMI:
Structure of Management Information)
C1155 Structure and Identification of Management In
Specified in the formation for TCP / IP-based Internets.

As an example of mounting an agent, it is conceivable to mount the agent on a network board for connecting a printer to a network. Thus, the printer can be managed by the network management software. The user can obtain the information of the printer to be controlled using the network management software and change the status. More specifically, for example, a character string displayed on a liquid crystal display of a printer can be obtained, or a default paper cassette can be changed.

An embodiment in which a network board (NEB) on which an agent is mounted is connected to a printer will be described below.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an inserted state of the interface card in the printer 102 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the interface card shown in FIG. 3, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 3, NEB 101 is a printer 1
02 is inserted into the rear interface slot. The NEB 101 is a printed circuit board 10 on which a face plate 101b for network connection is installed.
1a, and is connected to the printer interface card 150 via the connector 170. The printer interface card 150 is used for the printer 102.
Directly control the printer engine. The print data and the printer status command are transmitted from the NEB 101 to the connector 17.
0, and is input to the printer interface card 150, and printer status information is also obtained from the printer interface card 150 via the connector 170. The NEB 101 transmits this information to the LAN 10 via the network connector of the face plate 101b.
Communicate on 0. At the same time, the printer 102 can receive print data from the conventional serial port 102a and parallel port 102b.

[0094] As shown in FIG.
01 is built in the internal expansion I / O slot of the printer 102, and the NEB 101 is an "embedded" network node having the processing and data storage functions described below.

The configuration of the NEB 101 provides an advantage of having a characteristic auxiliary function for controlling and managing a large multi-area WAN network. These auxiliary functions include, for example, printer control and status monitoring from a remote location on the network (such as the network administrator's office), and a guaranteed initial environment for the next user after each print job. Includes automatic management of printer configuration, and printer logs or usage statistics that can be accessed over the network to characterize printer load or schedule toner cartridge replacement.

An important factor in NEB design is that the NEB 101 is controlled via a bidirectional interface such as a shared memory.
This is a function to access the printer control status from. In addition to the shared memory, an interface such as a SCSI interface can be used. As a result, the printer operation information can be sent to the NEB 101 or the external network node so that many convenient auxiliary function programs can be created. The block of print image data and control information is constituted by a microprocessor on the NEB 101, described in a shared memory, and read by the printer 102. Similarly, printer status information is sent from printer 102 to shared memory, where it is read by the NEB processor.

[0097] As shown in FIG.
100 to the printer 1 via the LAN interface.
02 is directly connected via a printer interface card 150. The microprocessor 151 is NE
Data access to B101 is performed via shared memory 200 installed in NEB101. The microprocessor 151 is also in communication with the printer engine 160 that actually drives the printing mechanism.

On the other hand, the PC on which the network management software operates will be described below.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a PC to which the network control device according to the present invention can be applied, and corresponds to the configuration of a PC on which network management software according to the present embodiment can operate.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 500 denotes a PC on which network management software operates, and reference numeral 10 in FIG.
Equivalent to 3.

The PC 500 executes a network management program stored in the ROM 502 or the hard disk (HD) 511 or supplied from the floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) 512.
1 to control each device connected to the system bus 504 as a whole.

Reference numeral 503 denotes a RAM whose storage capacity can be expanded.
It functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 501. A keyboard controller (KBC) 505 controls an instruction input from a keyboard (KB) 509 or a pointing device (not shown).

Reference numeral 506 denotes 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 (FD) 512 that store a boot program, various applications, editing files, user files, a network management program, and the like. 508 is a network interface card (NI
In C), data is bidirectionally exchanged with an agent or a network device via the LAN 100.

The hard disk (HD) 511 stores a program of network management software applied to the network control device according to the present invention, as will be described later with reference to a sequence diagram. In the sequence described below, the subject of execution is the CPU 501 on hardware.

On the other hand, the subject of control on the software is the network management software stored in the hard disk (HD) 511. In this embodiment, the OS is assumed to be, for example, WINDOWS 2000 (manufactured by Microsoft), but the OS is not limited to this. Hereinafter, the configuration of network management software applicable to the network control device according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 is a module configuration diagram of first network management software applicable to the network control device according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, the network management software is the hard disk 51 shown in FIG.
1 is executed by the CPU 501. At this time, the CPU 501 uses a RAM as a work area.
503 is used.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a device list module which displays devices connected to the network in a list. 602 is called overall control, and controls other modules based on an instruction from the device list 601. Reference numeral 603 denotes a module called a configurator, which performs a special process related to the network setting of the agent.

A search module 604 searches for a device connected to the network. Devices searched by the search module 604 are displayed as a list in a device list 601. 605 indicates the status of the print job by NetWare API 61
6 is a NetWare module obtained from the network server using the No. 6.

For NetWare API, for example,
"NetWareProgrammer * sGuide fo published by ll
r C "etc., and the book is available for purchase from Novell.

Reference numerals 606 and 607 denote display modules (UI modules A and B) for displaying a device details window showing detailed information of the device to be managed. A module exists for each target model for displaying the detailed information.

Reference numerals 608 and 609 are control modules, which are responsible for control specific to the target model for acquiring detailed information. These modules also exist for each target model for displaying detailed information. The control modules 608 and 609 acquire MIB data from the device to be managed using the MIB handling 610 and pass the acquired MIB data to the UI modules 606 and 607 for displaying a device detail window.

The MIB module 610 is a module that converts between an object identifier and an object key. Here, the object key is a 32-bit integer corresponding to the object identifier on a one-to-one basis.

The object identifier is a variable-length identifier, and is difficult to handle when implementing the network management software. Therefore, the network management software in the network control device according to the present embodiment has a one-to-one correspondence with the object identifier. The corresponding fixed length identifier is used internally. Modules higher than the MIB module 610 use this object key to
Handles IB information. This facilitates implementation of network management software.

611 is called an SNMP protocol, and S
It transmits and receives NMP packets. A common transport module 612 is a module that absorbs a difference between lower protocols for transporting SNMP data.

In practice, either the IPX handler 613 or the UDP handler 614 plays a role in transferring data depending on the protocol selected by the user during operation. The UDP handler uses WinSock 617 as an implementation.

[0117] For WinSock, for example, Window
It is described in detail in the specification of s Socket API v1.1, which is available from several places, but is bundled, for example, with Visual C ++, a Microsoft compiler.

The current protocol 615 used by the configurator 603 indicates either the IPX protocol or the UDP protocol selected by the user during operation.

In the following description, the network management software in the network control device according to the present embodiment may be referred to as NetSpot.

In the above, the network management software NetSpot will be described in detail as an example of software for performing various operations on the printer.
A printer driver for outputting various documents, tables, figures, etc. created on C as a print job, job management software for managing print jobs in the printer, resource management software for adding resources such as fonts to the printer And so on.

In a large-scale network system having a configuration as shown in FIG. 1, such software may be installed on the same PC (for example, PC 103). However, more generally, the software exists on the network system. Installed on a plurality of PCs (for example, the PC 103 and the PC 104).

As described above, in a state where a large number of software for performing a certain operation on the printer exist on the network, these various software cannot be simultaneously executed on a single printer (for example, the printer 102). Possible processing may be required.

For example, while the user of the PC 103 is outputting a document to the printer 102 using the printer driver, the user of the PC 104 uses NetSpot to
When a “printer reset request”, which is one of the functions of the ot, is issued to the printer 102, a situation in which the output of the document output by the user of the PC 103 is interrupted on the way may occur.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in a printer system environment in which one printer is shared, arbitration of printer requests that occur simultaneously and multiple times is avoided to avoid a situation where an error occurs in the print job processing being executed. An example will be described in detail.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first example based on the network management software in the network control device according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.
Note that S701 to S716 indicate each step, and this processing is started when the user uses the network device control system.

Further, in FIG. 7, App1 and App2
Is assumed to be software (hereinafter referred to as printer software) that performs a certain kind of operation on a printer, such as NetSpot, a printer driver, job management software, and resource management software.

Further, a program of the printer software executed according to this sequence is stored in the hard disk (HD) 511 shown in FIG. The subject of execution of the printer software program is the CPU 501 on hardware.

On the other hand, the subject of control on software is printer software stored in a hard disk (HD) 511. In the present embodiment, the OS is assumed to be, for example, WINDOWS 2000 (manufactured by Microsoft), but the OS is not limited to this.

Further, the printer software executed according to this sequence may be installed on a plurality of PCs existing on the network system, or may be installed on a single PC.

First, in step S701, the printer software App2 sets an operation level for the printer to be managed. Here, the operation level defines how much the operation performed by the printer software itself on the managed printer occupies the managed printer. The operating level L1 indicates the free operation of another App. The operation level L2 indicates a level at which communication with the managed printer is assured, and the operation level L3 indicates a level at which the managed printer is occupied.

Next, in step S702, the managed printer holds the operation level notified from App2 and notifies App2 that the operation level setting has been successful.

As an example of the operation level holding method, there is a means for defining an MIB object for holding the operation level in the printer to be managed and holding it. In this case, communication between the printer software and the managed printer must use SNMP.

Now, the printer software App1 is
When the user requests execution of a certain type of processing in step S703, an operation level acquisition request is issued to the managed printer in step S704.

Upon receiving the operation level acquisition request in step S704, the management target printer receives the operation level acquisition request in step S704.
At 05, an MIB object for holding the operation level is accessed, the operation level stored therein is read, and the value is notified to the printer software App1.

The printer software App1 receives the operation level in step S706, and determines whether there is any printer software for which the operation level is currently set.

If it is determined in step S706 that there is printer software for which the operation level is set, the flow advances to step S707. If it is determined in step S706 that there is no printer software for which the operation level is set. If so, the process proceeds to step S710.

In step S707, the operation level acquired from the printer to be managed in step S705 is analyzed, and it is determined at what operation level the other printer software uses the printer to be managed.

In step S708, it is determined whether or not a processing request from a user can be requested to the managed printer in accordance with a correspondence table of operation levels and possible operations internally provided in the printer software App1.

In the present embodiment, an example of the correspondence between the acquired operation level and the possible operations is as follows.

When the obtained operation level is the operation level L1, all operations can be executed. When the obtained operation level is the operation level L2, operations other than the network setting change operation can be executed. When the operation level is the operation level L3, all operations cannot be executed.

For example, when the operation level L determined in step S707 is “L1”, the printer software App1 can execute all the operations that can be executed by itself on the printer.

If it is determined in step S708 that a processing request from the user can be requested to the managed printer, the process advances to step S712 to proceed to step S70.
If it is determined in step S8 that the processing request from the user cannot be requested to the managed printer, the process proceeds to step S7.
Go to 09.

In step S709, the user is notified that the process requested by the user cannot be executed because another printer software is operating, and the sequence ends.

In this sequence, it is determined that there is no printer software for which the operation level has been set in step S 701 and step S 702, which are not performed because step S 702 has been performed. Step S710 and the subsequent steps executed in the case where the error has occurred will be described.

In step S710, an operation level is set for the printer to be managed. This is the same as step S701 described above. And step S711 is:
This is the same as step S702.

Next, in step S712, step S712
In step 703, the process requested by the user is performed on the managed printer. Then, in step S713, the management target printer is requested to delete the operation level set in step S710.

Then, the management target printer determines in step S
When the deletion request is received in 713, the operation level set in step S711 is deleted in step S714, and then the printer software App1 is notified that the deletion was successful. Steps S715 and S716 correspond to steps S713 and S71 described above.
4, the operation level deletion procedure in the printer software App2 is shown.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure based on network management software in the network control device according to the present invention. Note that S801 to S816 indicate each step, and this processing is started when the user uses the network device control system.

In FIG. 7, App1 and App2
Is software that performs certain operations on printers represented by NetSpot, printer drivers, job management software, resource management software, etc.
Printer software).

Further, a program of the printer software executed according to this sequence is stored in the hard disk (HD) 511 shown in FIG. The subject of execution of the printer software program is the CPU 501 on hardware.

On the other hand, the subject of control on software is printer software stored in a hard disk (HD) 511. In the present embodiment, the OS is assumed to be, for example, WINDOWS 2000 (manufactured by Microsoft), but the OS is not limited to this.

The printer software executed according to this sequence may be installed on a plurality of PCs existing on the network system, or may be installed on a single PC.

In step S801 in FIG. 8, the printer software App2 sets an operation level for the printer to be managed. Here, the operation level defines how much the operation performed by the printer software itself on the managed printer occupies the managed printer. The operating level L1 indicates the free operation of another App. The operation level L2 indicates a level at which communication with the managed printer is assured, and the operation level L3 indicates a level at which the managed printer is occupied.

In the step S802, the server App executes the steps executed by the managed printer as the step S702 shown in FIG. That is, the operation level notified from App2 is held, and the fact that the operation level setting is successful is notified to App2.

If the server App is installed in the PC 500, as an example of a method of maintaining the operation level in the server App, the hard disk 511, the RAM 50
For example, there is a means for securing an area for holding the operation level at 3 and holding the area.

After the user has requested a certain process in step S803, in step S804,
An operation level acquisition request is issued to the server App.

Next, in step S805, the server App executes the steps executed by the managed printer as step S705 shown in FIG.

The printer software App1 receives the operation level in step S806, and determines whether there is any printer software for which the operation level is currently set.

If it is determined in step S806 that there is printer software for which the operation level is set, the flow advances to step S807. If it is determined in step S806 that there is no printer software for which the operation level is set. If so, the process proceeds to step S810.

In step S807, the operation level acquired from the server App in step S805 is analyzed, and it is determined at what operation level the other printer software uses the managed printer.

In step S808, it is determined whether or not a processing request from the user can be requested to the managed printer in accordance with a correspondence table of operation levels and possible operations internally provided in the printer software App1.

In the present embodiment, an example of the correspondence between the acquired operation levels and the possible operations is as follows.

When the acquired operation level is the operation level L1, all operations can be executed. When the acquired operation level is the operation level L2, operations other than the network setting change operation can be executed. When the operation level is the operation level L3, all operations cannot be executed.

For example, when the operation level L determined in step S807 is “L1”, the printer software App1 can execute all the operations that can be executed by itself on the printer.

If it is determined in step S808 that a processing request from the user can be requested to the managed printer, the process advances to step S812 to proceed to step S80.
In step S8, when it is determined that the processing request from the user cannot be requested to the managed printer.
Go to 09.

In step S809, the user is notified that the process requested by the user cannot be executed because another printer software is operating, and the sequence ends.

In this sequence, since steps S801 and S802 have been performed, it is determined in step S806 that there is no printer software for which the operation level has been set in steps that are not performed. Step S810 and the subsequent steps executed in the case where the error has occurred will be described.

At step S810, an operation level is set for the server App. This corresponds to step S8
Same as 01. Step S811 is the same as step S802.

Next, in step S812, step S812
In step 803, the process requested by the user is performed on the managed printer. In step S813, the server App deletes the operation level set in step S810.
Request to.

In step S814, the server App executes the steps executed by the managed printer as step S714 shown in FIG.

Then, steps S815 and S8
Step 16 corresponds to the operation level deletion procedure in the printer software App2, just like steps S813 and S814 described above.

According to the first and second embodiments, a plurality of printer software existing on the network device control system can know how many operations can be requested from the managed printer by itself. This makes it possible to solve the conventional drawback that the processing of one printer software affects the processing of another printer software.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the module configuration of the second network management software applicable to the network control apparatus according to the present invention. I have.

In this embodiment, the network management software is the hard disk 51 shown in FIG.
1 is executed by the CPU 501. At this time, the CPU 501 uses a RAM as a work area.
503 is used.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 617 denotes an e-mail control module. The e-mail is transmitted via WinSock 618 according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The e-mail data is transmitted to the server 118.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the device list displayed by the device list module 601 shown in FIG. 9. The device list allows the user to know the managed device currently connected to the network. It is configured to be able to.

[0177] In the device list screen 700 shown in Fig. 10, DI1 to DI4 are device icons, and indicate that the devices D1 to D4 are connected on the network.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a device map displayed by the device list module 601 shown in FIG. 9, and is configured so that the positional relationship between the user and the printer can be visually grasped. This corresponds to an example of another display form of the device list displayed by the device list module 601. Note that FIG.
The same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

On the device map screen 800 shown in FIG. 11, DI1 to DI4 are device icons, and icons of managed devices are displayed on the device map.

FIG. 12 shows the UIs 606 and 60 shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a device detail window displayed by 7.

The device details window 90 shown in FIG.
0 is for displaying detailed information, such as the remaining amount of paper and optional configuration information, for each device with respect to the device selected from the device list shown in FIG. 10 and the device map shown in FIG. The displayed contents (messages, graphics, and other objects) vary according to the device operation state according to the capabilities and functions of each device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the network control apparatus according to the present invention. After an error (or failure) has occurred on a managed device, NetSpot changes to the managed device. This corresponds to a process of detecting an error state of the printer 102 (for example, the printer 102), acquiring an error code, and notifying an administrator of the managed device of the error code by e-mail. Note that S1
001 to S1013 indicate each step.

First, as preparation, step S1001
Accordingly, NetSpot (product name) holds information necessary for transmitting an e-mail such as the address of the e-mail server 118 and the e-mail address of the administrator of the device to be managed in the RAM 503, the HD 511, and the like. Now,
In step S1002, the NetSpot issues an error presence / absence information acquisition request to the managed device (the printer 102 in the present embodiment) in order to detect whether an error has occurred in the managed device.

In response, the device to be managed is
Upon receiving the error presence / absence information acquisition request from the Spot, it checks whether an error has occurred in itself from a sensor (not shown) or the presence or absence of a timeout, and transmits the result of the check to NetSpot (step S100).
3).

Then, NetSpot is executed in step S1.
When the error presence / absence information issued from the management target device in step S003 is received in step S1004, NetSpot returns to step S1005 in step S1005.
The error presence / absence information received in step S1004 is analyzed to determine whether an error has occurred in the management target device. If it is determined in step S1005 that there is no error, step S100
Return to 2.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1005 that there is an error, the flow advances to step S1006,
NetSpot issues an error code acquisition request to the managed device in order to know the details of the error that has occurred in the managed device.

The device to be managed is NetSp
When an error code acquisition request is received from ot, an error code of an error occurring in itself is collected, and Ne is collected.
It transmits to tSpot (step S1007).

When an error code is transmitted from the managed device in step S1007, NetSpo
t receives an error code in step S1008.

Next, NetSpot is executed in step S10.
In step 09, the error code is converted into an error message and stored in the RAM 503 shown in FIG.

The conversion from the error code to the error message is performed by using a conversion table. For example, when the error code is “1”, the error code is converted into an error message “paper is jammed.” Is "2", the message is converted to an error message "No paper".

Therefore, NetSpot is determined in step S10.
08: Error code value "1" from the managed device
Is received, the error message is "Paper jammed."

Then, in step S1010, the error message converted in step S1009 is stored in the RA
An e-mail as shown in FIG. 14 is created by reading from M503 or the like.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic mail created by the electronic mail control module 617 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 14, reference numeral 1100 denotes an e-mail, which is composed of a header section 1101 and a main body section 1102.

[0195] In the header section 1101, the e-mail address of the administrator of the device to be managed held in step S1001 shown in FIG. 13 is described.

Also, in the main body 1102, the text of the e-mail including the error message converted from the error code in step S1009 shown in FIG. 13 is described.

In order for the administrator of the managed device to uniquely identify the managed device, the main unit 110
As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the error message, the product name of the device to be managed (described as “product name” in the example shown in FIG. 14)
And a nickname of the device to be managed (in FIG. 14, described as “printer name (can be set by a user and a unique printer name can be set)”) and the like. Now, returning to FIG. 13, the description of the data processing will be continued.

In step S1011, step S10
The e-mail created in step S1010 is transmitted to the e-mail server 118 shown in FIG. 1 using the address of the e-mail server 118 held at 01.

The e-mail server 118 determines in step S1
At 012, an e-mail is received. Finally, in step S1013, the administrator of the managed device reads the e-mail from any client PC, and ends the processing based on this flowchart.

[Fourth Embodiment] The flowchart shown in FIG. 13 is to know the error occurrence status of the device to be managed by periodically requesting the presence / absence of error information from the NetSpot side. However, the error occurrence status of the managed device can be known by using another method.

This is a technique using a function called TRAP in the aforementioned SNMP protocol.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the network control apparatus according to the present invention. After an error (or failure) has occurred on a managed device, Netspot operates as the managed device. The process corresponds to a process of detecting an error state of the printer 102 (for example, using a function called TRAP in the SNMP protocol), acquiring an error code, and notifying the administrator of the device to be managed by e-mail. S1201 to S1212 indicate each step. Also, the same processes as those in FIG. 13 are denoted by the step numbers, and the description thereof may be omitted.

Step S1201 is the same as step S1001 in FIG. When an error occurs in the managed device in step S1202, the managed device determines in step S1203 that
Send SNMP-TRAP to NetSpot.

The NetSpot receives the SNMP-TRAP from the managed device in step S1204, and knows that an error has occurred in the managed device.

The subsequent steps S1205 to S1212 are exactly the same as steps S1006 to S1013 shown in FIG.

[Fifth Embodiment] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a fifth data processing procedure in the network control apparatus according to the present invention, which is started when a user starts network management software (NetSpot). Corresponding to the processing to be performed. In addition, S1301
S1316 shows each step. The NetSpot program executed according to this flowchart is:
It is stored in a hard disk (HD) 511. In addition, the subject of execution of the NetSpot program is the CPU 501 on hardware.

On the other hand, the subject of control on software is NetSpo stored in the hard disk (HD) 511.
t. In the present embodiment, the OS is assumed to be, for example, Windows 2000 (manufactured by Microsoft), but is not limited to this. In addition, about the same step as FIG. 13, it may show that and a detailed description may be omitted.

First, step S1301 is almost the same as step S1001 in FIG. 13, but the device installation location information necessary for arranging the device icon 801 on the device map screen 800 is also stored in advance in R1301.
It is stored in the AM 503, HD 511, or the like.

First, steps S1302 to S1302 are executed.
Steps up to 1309 are the same as steps S1002 to S1009 shown in FIG.

Next, in step S1310, NetSp
It is determined whether or not the device map is available at ot.
The device map can be used by the user of NetSpot registering an arbitrary bitmap as a device map in NetSpot.

The most common example of a registered bitmap is an office layout diagram.

Here, if the device map is usable, the process proceeds to step S1311. If the device map is not usable, the process proceeds to step S1314.

In step S1311, an error level corresponding to the importance of the error is determined from the error code received in step S1308, and a device icon corresponding to the error level is created. The creation of device icons is performed using the conversion table.

For example, if the error code is “1”, the error level is set to the “critical error” level, and the device icon is a “red” device icon.

If the error code is “2”, the error level is set to the “warning” level, and the device icon is a “yellow” device icon.

In step S1312, the device icon created in step S1311 is arranged on the device map using the device installation location information stored in the RAM 503, HD 511, or the like in step S1301.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a device map display example displayed by the device list module 601 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 17, reference numeral 1400 denotes a device map, which is a device map synthesized in step S1312 shown in FIG.
, The state in which the device icon 1401 created in step S1311 is displayed, that is, the error level is the “serious error” level, and the device icon is
This corresponds to the case of a “red” device icon.

Here, returning to FIG. 16, the description will be continued. In step S1313, the e-mail created in step S1011 shown in FIG.
An e-mail to which the device map synthesized in step 12 is added, for example, an e-mail having a format as shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the e-mail created by the e-mail control module 617 shown in FIG. 9, and is an example of the e-mail created in step S1313 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 18, 1500 is the electronic mail itself. Reference numeral 1501 denotes a header section. Reference numeral 1502 denotes a main body.

Reference numeral 1503 denotes the synthesized device map 1400 shown in FIG. 17, which is, for example, bitmap image data. It goes without saying that the image data can be appropriately compressed, encrypted, or decompressed, and the format of the image data is not limited to a bitmap, but includes GIF, JPEG, and the like.

Note that steps S1314 to S1314 are executed.
Step 1316 is the same as steps S1011 to S1013 shown in FIG. This is the end of the description of the flowchart.

The same effect can be obtained by replacing the error detailed information acquisition processing steps S1302 to S1309 shown in FIG. 16 with steps S1202 to S1208 shown in FIG.

Further, it is within the scope of the present invention to configure a further network control device by appropriately combining the embodiments.

According to the third to fifth embodiments, Net
When Spot notifies the administrator of the managed device by e-mail of an error that has occurred in the managed device,
The effect that the administrator can be visually notified of the installation location of the managed device can be obtained.

In a general network management system in which one administrator manages a large number of printers, it is very important for the administrator to be able to visually recognize the location of the printer where an error has occurred. effective.

It is to be noted that the application of the present invention includes a system combining characteristic features of a network control device, a data processing device, and a server device.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by a network data processing system to which the network control device according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs that can be read by a network data processing system to which the network control device according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data subordinate to various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

In this embodiment, FIGS.
The functions shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applicable even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or the CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, 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, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program codes, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program codes. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in 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, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

[0239]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the forty-fifth aspect, in the network control device that controls the network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices that make a certain operation request to the network device via the network, A request for setting a network operation level set by a user for a network device is sequentially received in accordance with each device software for performing data communication processing, and the set network operation level is retained, and a request from any of the data processing apparatuses is held. According to the acquisition request of the network operation level, the network operation level held by the holding unit is responded to the requesting data processing device, and the operation level of the network device is notified to the requesting data processing device. Network device Even access request competing scan occurs, it is possible to effectively avoid a situation in which would harm to the data processing based on the access request preceding.

In a data processing device capable of communicating with a network control device which controls a network device via a network, a response is received from the network control device in accordance with a request for acquiring a network operation level set for the network control device. When it is determined that the network operation level has not been set, the network controller requests the network controller to set a desired network operation level, and the network operation level is set. If it is determined that the operation requested by the user is executable by analyzing the network operation level being set, it is determined that the operation requested by the user is executable. In this case, the operation requested by the user Request to the device, and when it is determined that the operation requested by the user is not executable, the fact is notified to the user.According to the access request from each data processing device sharing the network device, the preceding access is performed. It is possible to effectively avoid a situation in which data processing based on the data is impaired.

In a data processing device capable of communicating with a server controlling a network device via a network, a network operation responding from the server in response to a request for acquiring a network operation level set for the server. The level setting state is determined, and if it is determined that the network operation level is not set, a request for setting a desired network operation level is made to the server device, and it is determined that the network operation level is set. If it is determined, the network operation level being set is analyzed to determine whether the operation requested by the user is executable, and if it is determined that the operation requested by the user is executable, An operation requested by the user is requested from the server device, and the operation requested by the user is requested. If it is determined that is not executable, it notifies the user to that effect, and according to an access request from each data processing device sharing the network device, it is possible to effectively prevent a situation in which data processing based on preceding access is hindered. Can be avoided.

Further, in a server device which controls a network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices which make a certain operation request to a network device via a network, each data processing device performs data communication processing. A network operation level setting request set by a user for the network device according to each device software is sequentially received,
Hold the set network operation level,
According to the network operation level acquisition request from any of the data processing devices, the network operation level held by the holding unit is responded to the requesting data processing device. Even if a request occurs, it is possible to effectively avoid a situation in which data processing based on the preceding access request is impaired.

Also, in a network control device capable of making a certain operation request to a plurality of network devices via a network, monitoring the result, and sending a mail to a server device connected to the network,
When mail information is stored in the server device for sending mail and status information is obtained from each network device, it is determined whether or not a device map including the arrangement information of each network device can be used, and the device map can be used. When it is determined that, the device icon indicating a specific state based on the analysis of the state information obtained by the obtaining unit is created, the created device icon indicating the specific state is synthesized with the device map,
Since a mail to be sent to the server device is created from the synthesized device map and the status information, when a failure of the network device occurs, the network administrator is notified of the failure status by e-mail. And a device map in which the network device in which the failure has occurred is transmitted, so that the network administrator can clearly identify the location where the failure has occurred.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system to which an information processing device to which a network control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a structure of an MIB in a network system applicable to the network control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an inserted state of a printer interface card in the printer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer interface card shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a PC to which the network control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 6 is a module configuration diagram of first network management software applicable to the network control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure based on network management software in the network control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure based on network management software in the network control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a module configuration diagram of second network management software applicable to the network control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device list displayed by the device list module illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a device map display example displayed by the device list module shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a device detail window displayed by the UI shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the network control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an e-mail created by the e-mail control module shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the network control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fifth data processing procedure in the network control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a device map display example displayed by the device list module shown in FIG. 9;

18 is a diagram showing an example of an e-mail created by the e-mail control module shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a network data processing system to which the network control device according to the present invention can be applied.

[Description of Signs] 501 CPU 503 RAM 511 HD

Claims (45)

[Claims] 1. A network control device for controlling a network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices that issue a certain type of operation request to the network device via a network, wherein each of the data processing devices performs data processing. A user request receiving unit for sequentially receiving a network operation level setting request set by a user for the network device according to each device software for performing communication processing; and a holding unit for holding the network operation level set by the user request receiving unit. Means for responding to the requesting data processing apparatus with the network operation level held by the holding means in accordance with a request for acquisition of the network operation level from any of the data processing apparatuses; Processing equipment Network control apparatus characterized by comprising accordance et cancel request of the network operating levels, and deleting means for deleting the network operation level held in said holding means. 2. The network control device according to claim 1, wherein the network device is a printer. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user request receiving means is capable of receiving different network operation levels indicating the occupancy of the network device.
The network control device according to claim 1. 4. A data processing device capable of communicating with a network control device that controls a network device via a network, wherein the acquisition request means issues a request for acquiring a network operation level set to the network control device. A first determining unit that determines a setting state of a network operation level responded from the network control device in accordance with the acquisition request by the acquisition requesting unit; and that the network operation level is not set by the first determining unit. An operation level setting unit for requesting the network control device to set a desired network operation level, if the first operation unit determines that the network operation level has been set, Analyzes the network operation level being set and determines whether the user Second determining means for determining whether the requested operation is executable; and determining that the operation requested by the user is possible when the second determining means determines that the operation requested by the user is executable. An operation requesting unit for requesting the network control device; and a notifying unit for notifying the user that the operation requested by the user is not executable by the second determining unit. Characteristic data processing device. 5. A data processing device capable of communicating with a server device controlling a network device via a network, comprising: an acquisition requesting unit for issuing a request for acquiring a network operation level set to the server device; First determining means for determining a setting state of a network operation level responded from the server device in accordance with the obtaining request by the obtaining request means; and determining that the network operating level has not been set by the first determining means. An operation level setting unit for requesting the server device to set a desired network operation level; and a network being set when the first operation unit determines that the network operation level is set. Analyzes the operation level and determines whether the operation requested by the user is executable An operation requesting unit that requests the server device to perform an operation requested by the user when the second determination unit determines that the operation requested by the user is executable; A data processing device, comprising: a notifying unit that notifies a user when the second requesting unit determines that the operation requested by the user is not executable by the second determining unit. 6. The data processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the network device is a printer. 7. The operation level setting unit according to claim 4, wherein the operation level setting means can set different network operation levels indicating the occupancy of the network device.
The data processing device according to claim 1. 8. A server device for controlling a network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices that make a certain operation request to a network device via a network, wherein each of the data processing devices performs data communication. User request receiving means for sequentially receiving a network operation level setting request set by a user for the network device in accordance with each device software for performing processing, and holding means for holding the network operation level set by the user request receiving means A response unit that responds to the requesting data processing device with the network operation level held by the holding unit in accordance with a request for acquisition of the network operation level from one of the data processing devices; Said from the device According release request Ttowaku operation level, the server apparatus characterized by having a deletion means for deleting a network operation level held in said holding means. 9. The server device according to claim 8, wherein the network device is a printer. 10. The server device according to claim 8, wherein said user request receiving means is capable of receiving different network operation levels indicating the occupancy of said network device. 11. A network control device capable of making a certain operation request to a plurality of network devices via a network, monitoring the result, and sending a mail to a server device connected to the network, Holding means for holding mail information for sending mail to the server device; obtaining means for obtaining status information from each network device; determining means for determining whether a device map including arrangement information of each network device is available An icon creation unit that creates a device icon indicating a specific state based on an analysis of the state information acquired by the acquisition unit when the device map is determined to be usable by the identification unit; The device icon indicating the created specific state is displayed on the device manager. Network control apparatus characterized by comprising synthesizing means for synthesizing the flop, and a mail creation means for creating a mail to be sent to the server apparatus and a combined device map and the status information by the combining means. 12. The icon creation unit determines an error level that has occurred based on the status information acquired by the acquisition unit, and creates a device icon indicating a specific status corresponding to each error level based on the determination. The network control device according to claim 11, wherein: 13. The network control device according to claim 11, wherein the device map includes location information of a specific user. 14. The network control device according to claim 11, wherein said obtaining means obtains status information from each network device according to a predetermined protocol. 15. The network control device according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined protocol is an SNMP protocol. 16. A network control method in a network control device that controls a network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices that issue a certain operation request to the network device via a network, the network control method comprising: A user request receiving step of sequentially receiving a network operation level setting request set by a user for the network device according to respective device software for performing data communication processing in the processing device; and a network operation level set by the user request receiving step Holding in the holding means, and in accordance with a request for acquisition of the network operation level from any of the data processing devices, the data processing of the request source for the network operation level held by the holding means A response step of responding to the device; a deletion step of deleting the network operation level held in the holding unit according to a release request of the network operation level from any of the data processing devices;
A network control method, comprising: 17. The network control method according to claim 16, wherein the network device is a printer. 18. The network control method according to claim 16, wherein the user request receiving step can receive different network operation levels indicating the occupancy of the network device. 19. A data processing method in a data processing device capable of communicating with a network control device that controls a network device via a network, wherein the data processing device obtains a network operation level acquisition request set for the network control device. An acquisition requesting step to be performed; a first determination step of determining a setting state of a network operation level responded from the network control device in accordance with the acquisition request by the acquisition request step; and a network operation level set by the first determination step. When it is determined that the network operation level has not been set, it is determined that the network operation level has been set by the operation level setting step of requesting the network control device to set a desired network operation level, and the first determination step. In that case, Analyzing a fixed network operation level to determine whether the operation requested by the user is executable; and determining that the operation requested by the user is executable by the second determination step. An operation requesting step of requesting the network control device for an operation requested by a user when the determination is made, and when it is determined that the operation requested by the user is not executable by the second determination step, the fact is described. A notification step for notifying a user. 20. A data processing method in a data processing device capable of communicating with a server device that controls a network device via a network, the data processing method comprising: obtaining a network operation level set for the server device; A requesting step, a first determining step of determining a setting state of a network operation level responded from the server device according to the obtaining request by the obtaining request step, and a network operating level not being set by the first determining step If it is determined that the network operation level has been set by the first determination step, an operation level setting step of requesting the server device to set a desired network operation level; Analyze the network operation level being set A second determining step of determining whether the operation requested by the user is executable; and a request from the user when the second determining step determines that the operation requested by the user is executable. An operation requesting step of requesting the server device to perform an operation; and a notifying step of notifying the user of the fact that the operation requested by the user is not executable in the second determining step. A data processing method characterized by the following. 21. The data processing method according to claim 19, wherein the network device is a printer. 22. The operation level setting step, wherein different network operation levels indicating the occupancy of network devices can be set.
Or the data processing method according to 20. 23. A network control method in a server device that controls a network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices that issue a certain kind of operation request to the network device via a network, A user request receiving step of sequentially receiving a network operation level setting request set by a user for the network device according to device software for performing data communication processing in the device; and a network operation level set by the user request receiving step. A holding step of holding in a holding unit, and responding to the requesting data processing device the network operation level held by the holding unit according to a request for acquiring the network operation level from any of the data processing devices. A response step to perform, according to a release request of the network operation level from any of the data processing device, a deletion step of deleting the network operation level held in the holding means,
A network control method, comprising: 24. The network control method according to claim 23, wherein said network device is a printer. 25. The network control method according to claim 23, wherein, in the user request receiving step, different network operation levels indicating the occupancy of the network device can be received. 26. A network control method in a network control device capable of making a certain type of operation request to a plurality of network devices via a network, monitoring the result, and sending an e-mail to a server connected to the network A holding step of holding mail information in a holding unit for sending mail to the server device; an obtaining step of obtaining state information from each network device; and a device map including arrangement information of each network device can be used. A discriminating step of discriminating whether a device map is available in the discriminating step, and an icon creating step of creating a device icon indicating a specific state based on an analysis of the state information acquired in the acquiring step And the icon creation step Synthesizing a device icon indicating a specific state created by the map with the device map; and creating an email to be sent to the server device from the device map synthesized by the combining step and the state information. And a network control method. 27. The icon creation step determines an error level that has occurred based on the status information acquired in the acquisition step, and creates a device icon indicating a specific status corresponding to each error level based on the determination. 27. The network control method according to claim 26, wherein: 28. The network control method according to claim 26, wherein the device map includes location information of a specific user. 29. The network control method according to claim 26, wherein said obtaining step obtains status information from each network device according to a predetermined protocol. 30. The network control method according to claim 26, wherein the predetermined protocol is an SNMP protocol. 31. A network control device that controls a network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices that issue a certain type of operation request to a network device via a network. A user request receiving step of sequentially receiving a network operation level setting request set by a user for the network device in accordance with each device software that performs the operation, and holding the network operation level set by the user request receiving step in a holding unit A holding step; and a response step of responding to the requesting data processing device the network operation level held by the holding means in accordance with the network operation level acquisition request from any of the data processing devices. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a network operation level cancellation request held by the holding means in accordance with a network operation level cancellation request from any of the data processing devices. . 32. The storage medium according to claim 31, wherein said network device is a printer. 33. The storage medium according to claim 31, wherein said user request receiving step is capable of receiving different network operation levels indicating the occupancy of said network device. 34. An acquisition requesting step of issuing, to a data processing device capable of communicating with a network control device controlling a network device via a network, an acquisition request of a network operation level set for the network control device; A first determination step of determining a setting state of a network operation level responded from the network control device in accordance with the acquisition request by the acquisition request step; and a determination that the network operation level is not set by the first determination step. An operation level setting step of requesting the network control device to set a desired network operation level; and determining that the network operation level has been set by the first determination step. Network operation level And a second determining step of determining whether the operation requested by the user is executable by analyzing the information. If the second determining step determines that the operation requested by the user is executable, An operation requesting step of requesting the network control device for an operation requested by the user; and a notifying step of notifying the user when the second requesting step determines that the operation requested by the user is not executable. And a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the above. 35. An acquisition requesting step of issuing a request for acquiring a network operation level set for the server device to a data processing device capable of communicating with a server device controlling a network device via a network; A first determining step of determining a setting state of a network operation level responded from the server device in accordance with the acquisition request by the requesting step; and if the first determining step determines that the network operation level is not set, An operation level setting step of requesting the server apparatus to set a desired network operation level; and a network operation level being set when the first operation determines that the network operation level has been set. Is analyzed and the operation requested by the user is executed. A second determining step of determining whether or not the operation is possible, and an operation of requesting the server device for an operation requested by the user when it is determined in the second determining step that the operation requested by the user is executable. A computer that records a program for executing a requesting step and a notifying step of notifying the user that the operation requested by the user is not executable in the second determining step Storage media. 36. The storage medium according to claim 34, wherein the network device is a printer. 37. The operation level setting step, wherein different network operation levels indicating the occupancy of a network device can be set.
Or the storage medium of 35. 38. A server device that controls a network device by communicating with a plurality of data processing devices that issue a certain operation request to a network device via a network, wherein each of the data processing devices performs a data communication process. A user request receiving step of sequentially receiving a network operation level setting request set by a user for the network device in accordance with each device software to be performed; and holding the network operation level set by the user request receiving step in a holding unit. A response step for responding to the requesting data processing device the network operation level held by the holding means in accordance with a request for acquisition of the network operation level from any of the data processing devices; In accordance with the release request of the network operation level from data processing apparatus, recorded computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a deletion step of deleting the network operation level held in said holding means. 39. The storage medium according to claim 38, wherein said network device is a printer. 40. The storage medium according to claim 38, wherein said user request accepting step is capable of accepting different network operation levels indicating the occupancy of said network device. 41. A network control device capable of making a certain operation request to a plurality of network devices via a network, monitoring the result, and sending a mail to a server device connected to the network, A holding step of holding mail information in a holding unit for sending mail to the device; an obtaining step of obtaining state information from each network device; and a determination of determining whether a device map including arrangement information of each network device is available. An icon creation step of creating a device icon indicating a specific state based on an analysis of the state information acquired by the acquisition step, when the device map is determined to be usable by the determination step; Indicates a specific state created by A program for executing a combining step of combining a device icon with the device map, and a mail creating step of creating an email to be sent to the server device from the device map combined with the combining step and the state information. A computer-readable storage medium that records the recorded information. 42. The icon creation step determines an error level that has occurred based on the status information acquired in the acquisition step, and creates a device icon indicating a specific status corresponding to each error level based on the determination. 42. The storage medium according to claim 41, wherein: 43. The storage medium according to claim 41, wherein the device map includes arrangement information of a specific user. 44. The storage medium according to claim 41, wherein said obtaining step obtains status information from each network device according to a predetermined protocol. 45. The storage medium according to claim 41, wherein said predetermined protocol is an SNMP protocol.