JP2004013662A - Information processing device, information processing method and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system that automatically handles a printer newly added to a network, without manual labor. <P>SOLUTION: A printer newly added to a network is automatically located, the located printer is automatically set for appropriate connection to the network, and software is automatically set in a server, so that a management load on an administrator can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a network device, a computer capable of communicating with the network device via a network, a network system including these devices, a method, and a control program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is a technology in which a network is searched and a network address is set when a user manually specifies a searched network device.
[0003]
However, in order to purchase a new printing device to be connected to the network and enable printing from the print client via the network, it is necessary to perform various procedures. For example, when connecting a printing device to a TCP / IP network, first, the administrator uses the panel of the printing device or a tool attached to the printing device to make an IP connection to the printing device. Set the address. Next, an LPR port having the set IP address is created in the print server PC, a printer driver of the purchased printing apparatus is installed, an output destination is allocated to the LPR port, and settings are made so that the printer can be shared and used. Finally, each client PC installs the printer driver of the shared printer by itself, or an administrator goes to perform the installation work. By performing the above procedure, printing can be performed from the client PC to the new printing apparatus.
[0004]
On the other hand, a method of installing a printer driver in a client PC without manual operation of a general user is being considered. Such a network system has a function of automatically installing a printer driver in each client PC when an administrator specifies installation. However, in this case as well, although the procedure of installing the printer driver is reduced, for example, an IP address is set for the purchased network printer, and a mechanism for managing the setting items of the printer as an object is used. A procedure for creating a print agent object is required.
[0005]
As described above, the procedure for enabling printing from a client PC to a printing apparatus newly connected to a network involves many procedures, is generally complicated, and increases the load on an administrator. .
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of at least one of these problems, and in a network environment, when a peripheral device is connected to a network, whether the peripheral device is in a state capable of performing network communication. One purpose is to provide a mechanism for judging whether or not there is a problem.
[0007]
Still another object is to automatically provide a setting for setting the communication environment of the peripheral device in accordance with this determination result.
[0008]
Still another object is to provide an improved method and printing apparatus by automatically performing settings for enabling printing from a client PC, and thereby reduce the load on an administrator.
[0009]
Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, even when a network device connected to a certain sub-network moves to a different sub-network, a mechanism that allows the server to appropriately reconfigure the network device is provided. That is yet another purpose.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve at least one of the above objects, the present application provides the following means as an example of the solving means.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 1 is an information processing apparatus that is capable of communicating with a peripheral device, issues a search request to the peripheral device, and identifies identification information that uniquely identifies the peripheral device added to a response to the search request. And transmission processing for transmitting to the network setting information and a request for identification information unique to the peripheral device to the peripheral device in accordance with a predetermined protocol. Transmission control means for controlling the setting information transmitted in the transmission processing, and acquisition means for acquiring a response to a request for identification information unique to the peripheral device, and information on the peripheral device searched by the search means The peripheral device searched by the search device based on the response from the peripheral device acquired by the acquisition device, And further comprising a determining means for determining whether it is properly set in accordance with protocol.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the determination unit uses the identification information unique to the peripheral device searched by the search unit as a key, and sets the peripheral device corresponding to the unique identification information included in the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the setting of the device is appropriate.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the transmission control means controls a transmission process of transmitting, to the peripheral devices belonging to a predetermined subnet, an acquisition request for IP address information set in the peripheral devices, The acquiring unit acquires a response to the acquisition request including identification information unique to the peripheral device from the peripheral device set to belong to the subnet, and the determining unit acquires the unique response acquired by the acquiring unit. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not an IP address is correctly set to the peripheral device searched by the search means using the identification information.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the peripheral device is set so that the peripheral device belongs to a predetermined subnet searched by the search unit, the determining device determines that the peripheral device is correctly set. It is characterized by judging that there is.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 5, further comprising setting information for automatically setting the peripheral device determined to be incorrectly set by the determining means to be communicable according to the predetermined protocol. I do.
[0016]
The invention described in the other claims is the invention of the method and the control program according to the inventions of claims 1 to 5, and thus will not be described.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1st Embodiment)
One of the objects of the present embodiment is to make settings so that a printing apparatus can be connected to a network without requiring substantial user intervention in device setting processing in an environment of a network system, and to enable printing. Setting is made to enable printing from the client PC.
[0018]
In particular, in the first embodiment, it is assumed that each computer and the printing device are connected by a network, the network supports the TCP / IP protocol, and each computer is provided with an IP address. .
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of a computer to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. The internal configuration of a computer appearing thereafter is the same unless otherwise indicated. As shown in FIG. 1, the computer according to the present embodiment includes a standard PC and a workstation.
[0020]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a print client computer, which is a computer that installs a printer driver on a printing device newly connected from the client computer and performs printing. Alternatively, it may also serve as a server computer. Alternatively, the computer may be a computer in which a program for setting a print client computer to enable printing is installed. The PC 100 includes a CPU 101 that executes a printing apparatus setting program or a server setting program stored in a ROM 102 or a hard disk (HD) 111 or supplied from a floppy (R) disk drive (FD) 112. It controls each connected device as a whole.
[0021]
A RAM 103 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 101. Reference numeral 105 denotes a user command input controller (KBC), which controls input of instructions from a keyboard (KB) 109 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 106 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC) which controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 110. A disk controller (DKC) 107 stores a hard disk (HD) 111 and a floppy (R) disk controller (FDC) for storing a boot program, various applications, editing files, user files, a printing apparatus setting program, a server setting program, and the like. ) 112. A host interface (I / F) 108 bidirectionally exchanges data with a local printer, a network printer, another network device, or another PC via the LAN 120.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the printer included in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the internal configuration of the printing apparatus described here is as described above. Here, as an example of the peripheral device of the present invention, a printer which is an image forming apparatus has been described. However, in the peripheral device, not only a laser printer but also an ink jet printer, a copier, a facsimile, and other image forming devices. It may be a multifunction device, but also includes a digital camera, a scanner, and the like.
[0023]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes a printing device which is a network device, which includes a CPU 201 for executing software supplied from a storage medium such as a ROM 202 or a RAM 203, and comprehensively controls each device connected to a system bus 204. .
[0024]
A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 201. Reference numeral 205 denotes a user command input device, which controls an instruction input from a body panel button or the like. A panel display unit 206 controls and displays the state of the main body on a liquid crystal or the like in the main body panel. Reference numeral 207 controls the main body as a printing device. A host interface (I / F) 208 bidirectionally exchanges data with a local printer, a network printer, another network device, or another PC via the LAN 209.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment of a configuration of a network system in which a system for performing setting of a printing apparatus and setting of a server computer operates without substantially requiring intervention of a general user. The server computer may be equipped with, for example, middleware such as Novell's netware compatible with NDPS (registered trademark).
[0026]
In FIG. 3, a network 300 supports, for example, the TCP / IP protocol. Reference numerals 310, 320, and 330 denote print client computers used by the user, and the user mainly prints out to the printing apparatus 350 using a printer driver. The print client has the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 340 is a server computer that configures the printing device 350 without requiring substantial administrative intervention, so that a user can print to the newly connected printing device 350; A program for setting the computer operates and has the hardware configuration shown in FIG. Note that, for simplicity, the printing apparatus setting program and the server setting program operate on the server computer 340, but it goes without saying that the printing apparatus setting program and the server setting program may operate on another computer. In this case, the server setting program communicates with the server computer 340 in some way.
[0027]
A printing device 350 is an example of a peripheral device, and is a newly connected printing device to be used by a general user, and has a configuration shown in FIG. Of course, these configurations are merely conceptual diagrams of general configurations, and it goes without saying that there may be any number of computers used by general users. Needless to say, there may be a plurality of printing devices.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific operation flow of the automatic print environment construction program. Each computer and the printing apparatus are connected by a network as shown in FIG. 1, the network supports the TCP / IP protocol, and each computer has a case where an IP address is added. Further, the server computer 340 submits a print job to the printing apparatus by using a predetermined network printing protocol such as LPR, and the print client computer performs printing via the server computer 340. I do. For example, the server computer 340 has a hardware configuration as shown in FIG.
[0029]
In the system based on the above-described premise, when a certain printing apparatus is purchased and connected to a network, for example, a setting program of the present invention stored in the HD 111 or the FD 112 of the server computer 340 is activated, and the processing proceeds to S401 in FIG. Start processing. In step S401, a newly connected printing device is found. Although there are various methods for finding a newly connected printing device, an example will be described later.
[0030]
Next, in step S402, it is determined whether there is a newly connected printing device. If there is no newly connected printing device, the process proceeds to step S407. If the process is not terminated, the process proceeds to step S408. After waiting for a certain period, the process returns to step S401. If the processing is ended, the series of processes in FIG. 4 is ended. In step S407, whether the processing is to be ended or not to be ended is determined, for example, by the automatic printing environment construction program 9997 (setting program) by the termination signal based on the input of the termination instruction from the keyboard or the like, or by the server computer 340. It can be determined based on whether or not to recognize an interrupt indicating termination by a preset timer.
[0031]
In step S402, if there is a newly connected printing apparatus, the process proceeds to step S403. It is conceivable that an IP address has not been set for a newly connected printing apparatus, a valid IP address has not been set, or DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol) has been set. DHCP is convenient because it can dynamically obtain an IP address by a DHCP server when it is connected. However, it is necessary that the DHCP server be connected to the network. In the case of LPR printing in which printing is performed by designating an IP address from a printer, a method of causing a printing apparatus to obtain an IP address by DHCP is generally not suitable.
[0032]
Therefore, a case where a fixed valid IP address is set in the printing apparatus in step S403 is considered. Although there are various methods for setting a fixed IP address, it goes without saying that any method may be used, either manually or remotely. Further, as a method of selecting an IP address to be set in the printing apparatus, a method of setting an IP address to be used when a printing apparatus is found in advance can be considered. In order to prevent IP address conflicts, set a plurality of IP addresses to be set in advance or assign a range, and confirm that the IP address to be set is not currently used before setting. It is good to set after that.
[0033]
Next, in step S404, a Printer Agent (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as PA) object is generated for the newly added printing apparatus. PA is generally an abstract concept, but here, it indicates a data structure including various setting information for managing a printer as an object. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the PA generated in step S403 is generated as a Public Access Printer. Regarding the name of the PA, any unique number may be used, the IP address may be used, the name given in advance may be used, and any other name may be used if there is no duplication. good. Next, in step S405, a setting is made for the PA generated in step S404 to enable the automatic driver installation function of the middleware mounted on the server computer 304.
[0034]
Next, in step S406, the printer driver prepared in advance is associated with the PA generated in step S404, and the process ends.
[0035]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an embodiment for discovering a newly connected printing device. Each process in FIG. 5 is executed by the automatic printing environment construction program 9997 stored in the server computer 340. Various devices such as PCs as well as printers are connected to the network. To list only the printing devices connected to the target network, the automatic printing environment construction program broadcasts, in step S501, a protocol A search request packet that the printing device can understand and the printing device returns a response to over the network. Control processing. Protocol A broadcasts a printer search request in a desired network, here a sub-network (subnet). Upon receiving the search request, the printer returns a response to the request, for example, to which a MAC address uniquely assigned to a network board of Ethernet (R) is added. The server computer 340 can detect all the printers connected to the subnet of the network by receiving the response from the printer 350.
[0036]
Here, the protocol A is a simple protocol for searching for a peripheral device, and it is possible to obtain identification information unique to a peripheral device, for example, a MAC address, by searching a network. Upon receiving the search request packet of the protocol A, the printing device returns a response with its own MAC address added. Therefore, in step S502, the printing device list including the list of MAC addresses to which the response has been returned. Is created. Next, among the printing apparatuses connected to the network, a printing apparatus that is already used and a newly added printing apparatus are distinguished. Since a printing device for which a valid IP address is set is already used, and a printing device for which a valid IP address is not set is considered as a newly added printing device, a valid IP address is set. A process of broadcasting a search packet based on the protocol B to which the responding device responds over the entire network is controlled via an OS (not shown) or a transmission program.
[0037]
When the device to which the valid IP address is set receives the search packet of the protocol B, the device returns the response by adding the IP address and the MAC address to itself. In step S504, the device returns the IP address and the MAC address to which the response is returned. A list B, which is a list of devices having valid IP addresses set therein, is created.
[0038]
Finally, in step S505, a list of printing apparatuses connected to the network, for which a valid IP address is not set, that is, a list of newly added printing apparatuses, can be obtained from the lists A and B. .
[0039]
Specifically, for example, a list A that is a list of the printing devices created in step S502 is created. Here, list A is {prn1, prn2, prn4, prn5, prn7}. In step S504, a list B, which is a list of devices for which a valid IP address has been set, is created. List B is {prn1, prn3, prn4, prn6, prn7}. The list of newly added printing devices is {prn2, prn5}, which is a member that is in list A but not in list B. Here, prn1 to prn7, which are identification information, indicate MAC addresses. As long as it is uniquely assigned to the device and is a predetermined search protocol, not only the MAC address but also, for example, certificate information stored in the printer, which is an encrypted string that can be tampered with, is used as identification information. Alternatively, the server computer 340 may obtain the information using the protocol A.
[0040]
As the protocol B, it is generally considered to use SNMP / MIB that is generally used in network devices, but it goes without saying that another protocol may be used.
[0041]
In this example, assuming that SNMP / MIB is used, in order to further simplify a unique protocol, a printing device newly connected using two protocols, protocol A and protocol B, is used. Although specified, it goes without saying that a unique and complicated protocol may be developed so that a new device can be discovered only by the protocol A of this example.
[0042]
As described above, when a printing device that can newly print is added, an IP address is automatically set to the printing device, a PA is created on the server computer 340, and an automatic installation function of a printer driver, which is a function of NDPS, is provided. When enabled, the printer driver is automatically installed on the print client, and printing can be performed without substantial user intervention.
[0043]
Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of specifying a printer for which an IP address is not correctly set. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an example of the process of S505 in detail. When S505 is started, the process proceeds to S701 in FIG. In step S701, the automatic printing environment construction program 9997 reads one peripheral device (target peripheral device), in this case, the printer 350 setting information from the list A. Then, in S702, it is determined whether or not the IP address set in the target peripheral device is in the list B. If it is determined in step S702 that the IP address set in the target peripheral device is in the list B, it is determined that the IP address is correctly set in the target peripheral device read from the list A. If it is determined in S702 that the IP address set in the target peripheral device read from the list A is in the list B, the process proceeds to S703, and the IP address of the target peripheral device read from the list A in S701 is correctly set. It is determined that the IP address is not set, and the identification information of the target peripheral device, for example, the peripheral device name, the MAC address, the certificate information, etc., is obtained, and is added to the file as a device for which the IP address is not correctly set. Then, the process proceeds to S704. In S704, it is determined whether or not the reading of the list A has been completed. If it is determined that the process is the last, the process ends. That is, the process exits from step S505. If it is not the last, the read pointer of the list A is advanced to read the setting information of the next peripheral device (S701). Thereafter, the processing is repeated until the reading of the list A is completed. Here, the protocol A is a simple protocol that can perform limited communication without using an IP address. It is easy to implement a simple protocol such as the protocol A in the peripheral device in advance, and it is realistic in terms of cost.
[0044]
By doing so, a list of peripheral devices for which the IP address is not set correctly is completed. First, according to protocol A, a set of a MAC address and an IP address is acquired from all peripheral devices operating on a predetermined subnet.
[0045]
Then, a predetermined subnet is searched by the protocol B. For the protocol B, there is no response only from a peripheral device that is correctly set. For example, if the subnet is 192.168.1.10/25, and broadcast to 192.168.1.255, the broadcast from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254 is performed. If the IP address is correctly set in the peripheral devices, there is a response from each of the peripheral devices. However, for example, if the printer X (192.168.3.3.100) belonging to another subnet, 192.168.3.0/25, moves to 192.168.1.0/25, X does not respond to broadcasts to 192.168.1.255. This is because the printer X has not yet been correctly set to the values of 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254 even though it has moved to 192.168.1.10/25. Accordingly, the list B, which is a list of those which have searched for a predetermined subnet by the protocol B and have received a response, is a peripheral device which is correctly set to the values of 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254. Here is a list.
[0046]
Here, if the list of the peripheral devices stored in the list B is removed from the list A, the peripheral device for which the IP address should be set correctly can be found. It is possible to remotely set these peripheral devices so as to correctly belong to the predetermined subnet. For example, the automatic printing environment construction program 9997 automatically resets the IP address of the printer X to an IP address belonging to 192.168.1.0/25 that is not yet used, for example, 192.168.1.10. . Thereafter, the printer X can communicate using the IP (Internet Protocol). In this way, by using the response characteristics of the subnet and by using the MAC address which is the identification information unique to the peripheral device, the setting of the printer newly participating in a certain subnet can be manually performed by the administrator. It is possible to automatically judge whether or not the address is correct, and if it is not correct, automatically match the address to the correct address, that is, set an address indicating that the address belongs to the correct subnet. .
[0047]
In the present embodiment, a search request for the printer is issued to the server computer 304 that can communicate with the printer by a simple search protocol, and the MAC address, which is identification information unique to the printer, added to the response to the search request is added to the server computer 304. By acquiring the information, an automatic print environment construction program (setting program) for searching for a printer on the network and a request for setting information and printer-specific identification information to the printer are transmitted to the network according to a predetermined protocol. Controlling the transmission processing to obtain the IP address transmitted in the transmission processing, and a response to the transmission request of the MAC address unique to the peripheral device, and information of the peripheral device searched by the search unit; Based on the response from the peripheral device obtained by the obtaining unit. Te, wherein the searched peripheral device searching means, automatic printing environment construction program for executing a process of determining whether it is properly set in accordance with the predetermined protocol is installed.
[0048]
(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment, when a new printing device is added, it is difficult to automatically set a directory position and an access right when generating a PA. Therefore, the PA is used as a Public Access Printer (public access printer). Generated. However, if the directory is not complicated and it is known in advance where the PA should be generated in the directory, the location and access right of the directory are specified in advance, and the Controlled Access Printer (control access printer) is automatically generated. Needless to say, this is acceptable.
[0049]
(Third embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the association of the printer driver is automatically performed. However, there is a case in which the OS of the client PC is, for example, only Windows (registered trademark) 2000. In that case, it is not necessary to associate the printer drivers of all the OSs, and only the Windows (registered trademark) 2000 printer driver is prepared and it is only necessary to associate them. As described above, if all the operations are performed automatically, the load may be increased, and it goes without saying that an option that allows a part of the operation to be changed manually may be added.
[0050]
(Fourth embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the search for a newly added printing device is performed at regular intervals. Needless to say, this may be done by giving some notification when the printing device is connected to the network, and after receiving the notification, setting the printing device and setting the server computer 340.
[0051]
The automatic printing environment construction program of the embodiment according to the present invention described above may be executed by the computer 100 by a program installed from the outside. In that case, the program is stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, a floppy (R) disk, or an external storage medium via a network such as e-mail or personal computer communication. The present invention can be applied even when supplied to the computer 100 by being loaded above.
[0052]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of a storage medium. Reference numeral 9999 denotes an area in which directory information is stored, and indicates the positions of an area 9998 in which the subsequent installation program is stored and an area 9997 in which the automatic printing environment construction program is stored. An area 9998 stores an installation program. For example, the storage medium is provided in the server computer 340. That is, the storage medium corresponds to, for example, the HD 111 or the FD 112 of the computer 100 in FIG. Reference numeral 9997 denotes an area in which the automatic printing environment construction program of the embodiment is stored. When the program of the present invention is installed in the computer 100, first, the installation program stored in the area 9998 storing the installation program is loaded into the system and executed by the CPU 101. Next, the installation program executed by the CPU 101 reads the program from the area 9997 storing the program, and stores the program on the hard disk 111.
[0053]
The present invention may be applied to a system or an integrated device including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and the like), or may be applied to a device including a single device.
[0054]
A storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program code stored in the storage medium. It is needless to say that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing.
[0055]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0056]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (R) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. Can be.
[0057]
The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program code, and the OS or the like running on the computer performs part of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by performing the entire process.
[0058]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. A CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.
[0059]
The present invention is also applicable to a case where the program is delivered from a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a requester via a communication line such as the Internet communication. It goes without saying that it can be applied.
[0060]
According to the embodiments of the present application, when a new printing device is added, the setting for enabling the printing device to connect to the network can be automatically performed, and the printer setting in the network system can be automatically performed. Further, in combination with the printer driver automatic download function of the network system, there is an effect that printing can be performed from the client PC without requiring substantial user intervention.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when a peripheral device is newly added, it is possible to determine whether or not the setting for enabling the peripheral device to connect to the network has been made.
[0062]
According to still another invention, setting of a peripheral device in a network system can be automatically performed according to the determination result.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a computer to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a printer included in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment of a configuration of a network system.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing of an automatic printing environment construction program.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a mechanism for searching for a newly connected printing apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a storage medium memory map.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process for specifying a printer for which an IP address is not correctly set;
[Explanation of symbols]
100 client computers
200 printing device
300 Network
310 Print Client Computer
320 print client computer
330 print client computer
340 server computer
350 Peripherals Added

Claims (11)

In an information processing device capable of communicating with a peripheral device,
A search unit for searching for a peripheral device on the network by issuing a search request for the peripheral device and acquiring identification information unique to the peripheral device added to a response to the search request;
According to a predetermined protocol, transmission control means for controlling a transmission process of transmitting setting information to the peripheral device and a request for identification information unique to the peripheral device to the network,
Acquisition means for acquiring a response to the request for identification information unique to the setting information and the peripheral device transmitted in the transmission processing,
Based on the information on the peripheral device searched by the search unit and the response from the peripheral device acquired by the acquisition unit, the peripheral device searched by the search unit is correctly set according to the predetermined protocol. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the information has been read. The determination unit uses the identification information unique to the peripheral device searched by the search unit as a key, and determines whether the setting of the peripheral device corresponding to the unique identification information included in the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit is appropriate. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination is performed. The transmission control unit controls a transmission process of transmitting a request for acquiring IP address information set in the peripheral device to the peripheral device belonging to a predetermined subnet,
The acquisition unit acquires a response to the acquisition request including identification information unique to the peripheral device, from the peripheral device set to belong to the subnet,
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines whether an IP address is correctly set in the peripheral device searched by the searching unit using the unique identification information obtained by the obtaining unit. Or the information processing device according to 2. When the peripheral device is set such that the peripheral device belongs to a predetermined subnet searched by the search unit, the determining unit determines that the peripheral device is correctly set. The information processing device according to claim 1. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising setting information for automatically setting a peripheral device determined to be incorrectly set by the determination unit to be communicable according to the predetermined protocol. 6. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. In a method in an information processing device capable of communicating with a peripheral device,
A search step of issuing a search request to the peripheral device and acquiring a unique identification information of the peripheral device added to a response to the search request to search for a peripheral device on the network;
According to a predetermined protocol, a transmission control step of controlling a transmission process of transmitting setting information to a peripheral device and a request for identification information unique to the peripheral device to the network,
An acquisition step of acquiring a response to the setting information transmitted in the transmission processing and a request for identification information unique to the peripheral device;
Based on the information on the peripheral device searched in the search step and the response from the peripheral device obtained in the obtaining step, the peripheral device searched in the search step is set correctly according to the predetermined protocol. A determining step of determining whether or not the information processing has been performed. In the determining step, using the identification information unique to the peripheral device searched in the search step as a key, the setting of the peripheral device corresponding to the unique identification information included in the setting information acquired in the acquisition step is appropriate. 7. The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein it is determined whether or not the information processing is performed. In the transmission control step, for the peripheral device belonging to a predetermined subnet, controlling transmission of an acquisition request for IP address information set in the peripheral device,
In the obtaining step, from a peripheral device set to belong to the subnet, obtain a response to the obtaining request including identification information unique to the peripheral device,
In the determining step, it is determined whether an IP address is correctly set to the peripheral device searched in the searching step, using the unique identification information acquired in the acquiring step. 8. The information processing method according to 6 or 7. In the determining step, when the peripheral device is set so that the peripheral device belongs to the predetermined subnet searched in the search step, it is determined that the peripheral device is correctly set. The information processing method according to any one of claims 6 to 8. 10. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a setting step of automatically setting a peripheral device determined to be incorrectly set in the determining step to be communicable according to the predetermined protocol. An information processing method according to claim 1. In a control program executed in an information processing device capable of communicating with a peripheral device,
A search step of searching for a peripheral device on the network by issuing a search request to the peripheral device and acquiring identification information uniquely identifying the peripheral device added to a response to the search request,
According to a predetermined protocol, a transmission control step of controlling a transmission process of transmitting setting information to a peripheral device and a request for identification information unique to the peripheral device to the network,
An acquisition step of acquiring a response to the setting information transmitted in the transmission processing and a request for identification information unique to the peripheral device;
Based on the information on the peripheral device searched in the search step and the response from the peripheral device obtained in the obtaining step, the peripheral device searched in the search step is set correctly according to the predetermined protocol. A control step of causing the information processing apparatus to execute a determination step of determining whether the information processing has been performed.

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