JP2004240490A - Network environment setting program, web server and network environment setting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect equipment such as a printer already connected to a network when a user's own personal computer is connected to the network, and to automatically install the latest driver of the detected equipment in the user's own computer, and to enable the equipment to be automatically used over the network. <P>SOLUTION: A network investigating module 41 communicates with equipment connected to a network to acquire equipment information. A download module 42 downloads a printer driver 15 from a management service site and installs it. A network environment setting module 43 performs environment setting processing for using the equipment over the network by referring to equipment information 72. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has a function of detecting, when a personal computer is connected to a network, a device such as a printer already connected to the network, and automatically enabling the device on the network. The present invention relates to a network environment setting program, a web server, and a network environment setting system.
[0002]
2. Description of the Related Art Many devices externally connected to a computer, such as a printer and a storage device, require a driver to exchange data with the computer. The driver is installed in the computer in advance and controls the device. This driver may be upgraded in order to improve the control performance of the device or to cope with the upgrade of the OS (operating system). The user of the device receives active guidance from the manufacturer by direct mail or e-mail, or confirms that the driver has been upgraded by, for example, viewing the corresponding page on the manufacturer's website. I know and download and install the driver on my computer over the network. The same applies to a network connection device such as a router. For example, the firmware version of the router is obtained from a terminal device of the administrator by a known SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) procedure, and the user upgrades the version as necessary. Also, a technology for automating the version upgrade process is introduced. (Patent Document 1)
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-189594 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the conventional techniques as described above have the following problems to be solved.
When a new computer is connected to an existing network and a printer or the like connected to the network is used, a driver for the printer is installed on the own computer. However, a failure may occur when the installation disk attached when the printer was purchased is used as it is and the driver has an old version. It is sufficient that the latest version of the driver is always stored and managed so that it can be taken out on the network. However, this requires a dedicated network administrator or the like, which increases the management cost. In addition, those who connect computers to the network for the first time should consider what printers are connected to the network, which printers can be used, and which drivers to install on which printers. Setup work was required, which was a heavy burden. In addition, in an intranet to which a large number of sub-networks are connected, it is a very complicated task to check the firmware versions of all routers in charge of each sub-network and determine whether or not to upgrade the firmware. Further, for example, when a printer driver is upgraded, it is easy to make all the printer drivers of the computer already connected to the network and the computer driver newly connected to the network all new versions. There was a problem that was not.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when a personal computer is connected to a network, a device such as a printer already connected to the network is detected, and the latest driver of the device is detected. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a network environment setting program, a web server and a network environment setting system, which automatically installs on a computer and makes the device automatically usable on a network.
Further, the present invention provides a network environment setting program for automatically executing a firmware or driver version upgrade process of a device connected to a network, including a network setting, and executing a process for optimizing a use environment of the device. The purpose is to provide a web server and a network environment setting system.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention employs the following configuration to solve the above points.
<Configuration 1>
A network research module that is downloaded through a network and operates a computer of a terminal device connected to the network, and detects a device connected to the network and obtains information for identifying each device; A setting module for downloading the data file while referring to a list of data files necessary for the operation of the terminal device, and setting up the terminal device.
[0007]
The network is a network that supports the Internet Protocol (IP). The device may be any device connected to the network. The device has a function that can communicate with the network investigation module. The network environment setting program is operated by being downloaded from a device maker or a server copied inside the intranet via a network. With this program, a device connected to the network is detected, and information for identifying the device is obtained. By obtaining information for identifying a device, it is possible to obtain a driver required for the device and obtain information for using the device through a network. The format and content of this information are arbitrary. The driver is also downloaded from a device maker through a network. After installing the driver, you need to set it up to make it available. This process is also automated. As described above, the burden on the network administrator is reduced. The network environment setting program can be executed not only when the terminal device is connected to the network for the first time, but also at an arbitrary timing. As a result, for example, a network printer or the like can be used in an optimal environment by installing the latest driver at any time. Also, it is possible to download the optimal data file and use the network device in the optimal environment. To set up means to make the downloaded data file usable on the terminal device.
[0008]
<Configuration 2>
The network environment setting program according to Configuration 1, wherein the setting module obtains information indicating a URL of a data file to be downloaded from a predetermined website.
[0009]
When downloading a driver or a data file from a site having a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) different from the site from which the network environment setting program was downloaded, information is acquired from a predetermined website. The predetermined website is usually a site operated by a device maker.
[0010]
<Configuration 3>
The network environment setting program according to Configuration 1, further comprising means for specifying a device to be investigated on a network by a network investigation module.
[0011]
Select only specified ones of the devices connected to the network and execute the network environment setting. For example, it is used when a network environment setting program is provided by a service of a network printer manufacturer or the like. The method of specifying the device to be investigated is arbitrary. The target may be specified by the user, or the network environment setting program may automatically specify the target.
[0012]
<Configuration 4>
The network environment setting program according to the first aspect, wherein the device to be investigated is a network printer.
[0013]
The device used by connecting to the network is, for example, a network printer. A network printer is a device directly connected to a network via a network card or the like. The network printer communicates through the network and can easily acquire the device information directly, so that automatic environment setting processing is easy.
[0014]
<Configuration 5>
The network environment setting program according to the first aspect, wherein the investigation range is specified by inputting a range of an IP address.
[0015]
The IP address (Internet Protocol Address) is an address set for a device connected to the network. In order to detect devices connected to the network, it is necessary to communicate with each device via the network. The method of specifying the range of the IP address is arbitrary.
[0016]
<Configuration 6>
In the network environment setting program according to the first aspect, the investigation range is calculated by inputting the number of hops counted from the network to which the terminal device using the device is connected, and increasing by one each time the network device is exceeded. A network environment setting program characterized by specifying.
[0017]
The hop number is “1” in the network to which the terminal device using the device is connected, and is a numerical value that increases by 1 each time the network moves from the network to another network beyond the inter-network connection device. As a result, the network can be investigated only in a necessary range.
[0018]
<Configuration 7>
In the network environment setting program according to the first aspect, when the network investigation module detects a plurality of devices, the setting module executes downloading of a data file only for the selected device. .
[0019]
Only the devices that the user wishes to use among the detected devices are selected and the data file such as the driver is downloaded.
[0020]
<Configuration 8>
In the network environment setting program according to the configuration 1, when the network investigation module detects a plurality of devices, the setting module automatically downloads a data file necessary for the operation of the devices for all the detected devices. A network environment setting program characterized by executing:
[0021]
Data files such as drivers are automatically downloaded for all detected devices without requesting start control. Thereby, all the processes are automated.
[0022]
<Configuration 9>
A network research module that is downloaded through a network and operates a computer of a terminal device connected to the network, and detects a device connected to the network and obtains information for identifying each device; A network environment setting program comprising a setting module for setting up a terminal device by downloading the data file while referring to a list of data files necessary for the operation of the terminal device, and holding the network environment setting program so that it can be browsed through a network. Web server.
[0023]
It is an invention of a web server that provides the program of Configuration 1 through a network. Since this program is provided from the web server, no special application program is required on the terminal device side.
[0024]
<Configuration 10>
The server comprises a terminal device connected to a network and a server. The server holds a network environment setting program downloaded to the terminal device via the network and operating a computer of the terminal device. Downloads the data files while referring to a network investigation module that detects devices connected to the network and obtains information for identifying each device, and a list of data files necessary for the operation of the devices. And a setting module for setting up the terminal device.
[0025]
This is an invention of the entire system that uses the program of Configuration 1.
[0026]
<Configuration 11>
A network research module for operating a computer of a terminal device connected to the network, which is downloaded through the network, for detecting devices connected to the network, and acquiring information for identifying each device; A network environment setting program, comprising: a setting module for causing the device to download firmware of the device through the device.
[0027]
Update the firmware of the devices connected to the network to the latest version. The start timing of this network environment setting program is arbitrary. The content of the firmware is arbitrary. Not only programs but also other data may be included. The firmware may be sent to the device, or may be controlled to be downloaded by the device itself.
[0028]
<Configuration 12>
A network research module for operating a computer of a terminal device connected to the network, which is downloaded through the network, for detecting devices connected to the network, and acquiring information for identifying each device; A web server which holds a network environment setting program including a setting module for causing the device to download firmware of the device through the network.
[0029]
It is an invention of a web server that realizes the configuration 11.
[0030]
<Configuration 13>
The server comprises a terminal device connected to a network and a server. The server holds a network environment setting program downloaded to the terminal device via the network and operating a computer of the terminal device. Comprises a network investigation module that detects devices connected to the network and obtains information for identifying each device, and a setting module that causes the devices to download firmware of the devices through the network. Features a network environment setting system.
[0031]
This is an invention of the entire system using the program of the configuration 11.
[0032]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using specific examples.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the system of the present invention.
The illustrated network 1 is a wide area network such as the Internet. Each of the networks 22 and 31 is a network provided in a specific area such as an intranet. The network 1 and the network 22 are connected by a gateway 21. The network 22 and the network 31 are connected by a router 24. In the embodiment shown in the figure, when the personal computer 30 is connected to the network 31 in the figure, devices such as the printers 33 and 34 are detected, the latest drivers are automatically installed, and the network environment setting is automated. I am planning.
[0033]
[Network configuration]
A web server 10 and a server 11 are connected to the network 1. The web server 10 is, for example, a server managed by a maker of the printer 23 connected to the network 22 or the printers 33 and 34 connected to the network 31, and detects a network printer and automatically executes a network environment setting. And a website for a management service that provides printer drivers. A storage device 12 is connected to the web server 10. The storage device 12 stores a network environment setting program 13, driver information 14, and a printer driver 15. The network environment setting program 13 is a web page transferred to the personal computer 30 via the network 1 and displayed by a browser. In this embodiment, the personal computer 30 executes the environment setting by browsing the network environment setting program 13 of the web server 10 of the management service site with a browser. Therefore, the personal computer 30 does not need to have a special application program or the like. The server 11 is a server of an arbitrary information providing site from which other information that cannot be obtained at the management service site can be obtained. As will be described later, the firmware information 16 and the firmware 17 are stored in the storage device 12 for upgrading the firmware of the device.
[0034]
Network printers 33 and 34 are connected to the network 31. The printer driver 15 for controlling the network printers 33 and 34 is downloaded and installed in the storage device 38 of the personal computer 30 as described later. When the browser of the personal computer 30 is started and the network environment setting program 13 of the web server 10 is browsed, a screen 40 is displayed. The network environment setting program 13 incorporates program modules such as a network investigation module 41, a download module 42, and a network environment setting module 43. When these are activated in order, the environment is automatically set. Each of the above-mentioned networks is an arbitrary information communication network such as the Internet, an intranet (LAN, WAN), a telephone line network, or the like. It can be a wired network or a wireless network.
[0035]
[Network environment setting program]
The network environment setting program 13 is web data that can be browsed using a predetermined URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The web data is prepared in HTML (Hyper Text Mark-up Language), SGML (Standard Generalized Mark-up Language), XML (extensible Markup Language). The program module incorporated in the network environment setting program 13 is a program that operates on a browser, such as a Java (registered trademark) applet (Sun Microsystems) and an ActiveX control (trademark of Microsoft Corporation). Processing such as updating the printer driver is performed by the latter program.
[0036]
As described above, when the automation process is executed only by the program operating on the browser, there is no need to prepare any special upload program on the personal computer 30 side. The network investigation module 41 has a function of investigating the network 31 or the like to which the personal computer 30 is connected, detecting devices such as the printers 33 and 34 connected to the network 31, and collecting information. The download module 42 has a function of downloading a necessary driver from the web server 10. The network environment setting module 43 has a function of executing a downloaded driver installation process and a network environment setting process.
[0037]
[Network environment setting screen]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the network environment setting screen.
When the browser of the personal computer 30 shown in FIG. 1 is started and the network environment setting program 13 is downloaded from the web server 10 of the management service site, a screen 40 as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed. On the screen 40 displayed first, a network investigation range is input. That is, the range on the network to be investigated is determined.
In the example of FIG. 1, designation is made as to whether only the network 31 is to be investigated or whether the network 22 is to be included. If only the printers 33 and 34 are used by connecting the personal computer 30, the network 31 may be set as the investigation range. The network investigation module 41 investigates how many printers are available on the network 31 and what to do so that the printers can be used.
[0038]
As a method of designating the investigation range, there is a method of determining the minimum value 51 and the maximum value 52 of the IP address. By selecting "IP address range" with the option button 56 and inputting the minimum value 51 and the maximum value 52 of the IP address, accessing the network while mechanically counting up the IP address from the minimum value to the maximum value, It is checked whether there is a device having the corresponding IP address. When a device is detected at the corresponding IP address, the information is collected. IP address range specification methods include a method of specifying a specific address (IP), a method of specifying upper and lower limits of an address [(IP)-(IP)], and a list of addresses [(IP); (IP); (IP)], address range enumeration [(IP)-(IP); (IP)-(IP); (IP)-(IP)], and combinations of the above. As described above, network devices can be automatically detected by numerical calculation in this range. In the case of a network-compatible device, it is possible to individually communicate with the device using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) or the like. Through this communication, information for identifying the device, for example, information such as a model is obtained. Another method is to specify the number of hops. When "hop number" is selected by the option button 56 and a numerical value such as 1, 2, or 3 is input using the drop-down list 53, the network is searched in a corresponding range. If the number of hops is “1”, only the network 31 is examined. If the number of hops is “2”, the network 31 and the network 22 are investigated. The number of hops is a value that is set to “1” in the network segment to which it is connected, and increases to “2” and “3” every time a network connection device such as a router or a gateway is exceeded. As a method of specifying the hop number, there is a method of specifying the specified network and the hop number [(IP) +2] therefrom. (IP) indicates one network as [192.168.123.0]. Further, the range of the IP address and the number of hops may be stored in a cookie, for example, and may be retained as it is, and then used repeatedly.
[0039]
The screen 40 has a start button 54 and a cancel button 55. When the start button 54 is clicked, a network survey is started. When the cancel button 55 is clicked, the screen 40 disappears. When the investigation is completed after clicking the start button 54, a screen 60 is displayed. This screen 60 displays the results of the network survey. In the example shown in this figure, the product codes and the IP addresses of the two detected printers are displayed. Clicking on the product code of one of the printers displays the printer information 62. Although the contents of the printer information 62 are not shown, they are detailed information such as the model and function of the printer and the version of the driver used in the printer, and have been obtained from the printer by investigation.
[0040]
A driver installation button 63 is provided on the right side of the IP address. When the install button 63 is clicked, a process of downloading and installing the detected printer driver to the personal computer is executed. When the installation is completed, a completion report 64 is displayed. Although the contents of the completion report are not shown, the message is, for example, a message such as "the driver for the printer PR1010 has been installed". When the end button 65 is clicked, the network investigation and the driver installation work are all ended. In this example, the network survey result is displayed, the desired printer is selected, and the driver is installed. However, if the driver is automatically installed for all the detected printers, , All processes are automated.
[0041]
[Program Features]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the function of each program module of the network environment setting program 13.
The network investigation module 41 communicates with all devices 70 detected on the network (NW) to be investigated, and inquires the devices 70 about information. The device 70 returns the information stored in the internal memory to the network investigation module 41. This is the device information 72. The acquired device information 72 is temporarily stored in the storage device of the personal computer 30. The device information 72 includes driver version information 73 indicating a driver name and a version number of the corresponding device, that is, the detected printer in the above example. Thereafter, the download module 42 is activated.
[0042]
The download module 42 refers to the driver information 14 of the storage device 12 provided in the web server 10 of the management service site shown in FIG. 1 and determines whether there is a driver having the driver name and the version number included in the device information 72. Check. When it is determined that the corresponding driver is stored in the storage device 12, the printer driver 15 in the storage device 12 is downloaded to the personal computer 30. On the other hand, when the corresponding driver is not present in the storage device 12, the URL of the website for downloading the corresponding driver is displayed in the driver information 14. The download module 42 downloads the corresponding driver from the driver library 75 of the server 11 shown in FIG. The downloaded driver 76 is subsequently installed in the personal computer 30. The installed driver 76 is set up in a usable state. It is preferable that the download module 42 is a setting module having a function of executing the setup process.
[0043]
When the personal computer 30 is connected to the network 31 as shown in FIG. 1 and the network printers 33 and 34 are used, it is necessary to set up a network environment in addition to installing a driver. The network environment setting module 43 executes this environment setting process with reference to the device information 72. The device information 72 includes an IP address of the device and environment setting information when the device is used on a network. The network environment setting module 43 automatically executes environment setting processing such as identification information setting 82, IP address setting 83, and component setting 83 of a device such as a network printer. Note that the network environment setting module 43 executes a process involving rewriting of the system of the personal computer 30 and may be an application program that is separate from other program modules. This may also be downloaded from the web server 10 as a part of the network environment setting program 13. The network connection environment of the personal computer 30 itself may be set using an existing automatic environment setting program provided by each network administrator. With the above processing, the user of the personal computer 30 can immediately perform a business using the network printers 33 and 34 without performing a complicated procedure. The above processing can be performed not only when the personal computer 30 is connected to the network 31 for the first time, but also at an arbitrary timing. Thus, each time, the latest driver is installed and a network printer or the like can be used in an optimal environment.
[0044]
As a method of downloading firmware to the device, an optimal method is selected according to the device. For example, there is a method of writing firmware once downloaded by a download module to a predetermined folder on the device side. There is also a method in which firmware is stored in a predetermined folder by a download module, an IP address of a storage location is notified to a device, and a predetermined command is transmitted so as to start a download process. If a TFTP server is connected to the network, there is a method of notifying the IP address to the device and transmitting a predetermined command to start the download process. In any case, the firmware can be forcibly rewritten and optimized by forcibly externally executing a predetermined process on the device side.
[0045]
[Program operation]
FIG. 4 is a specific operation flowchart of the network environment setting program 13.
As shown in FIG. 1, after the personal computer 30 is connected to the network 31, a browser is started for setting the network environment, and the corresponding URL is input. In step S1, the management service site is connected. When the network environment setting program 13 is downloaded in step S2, the network environment setting screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed. Here, in step S3, a network investigation range is input. When it is detected in step S4 that the start button has been clicked, the investigation is started, and the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, a process for detecting a network-connected printer is performed. First, one is detected, and the process proceeds to step S6 to communicate with the printer. Then, in step S7, information on the printer is obtained. In step S8, it is determined whether or not the survey of the entire survey range has been completed. If not, the process returns to step S5. Thus, information on all printers is obtained.
[0046]
After the information of all the printers has been obtained, the process proceeds to step S9, where the investigation result is edited. That is, an operation of editing the detected printer information on a report screen as shown in FIG. 2 is executed. Then, the investigation result is displayed in step S10. In the next step S11, the process waits until the driver installation button 63 is clicked. When an instruction to request installation of any printer is input, the process proceeds from step S11 to step S12. Then, the driver information of the detected printer is obtained. When a site to download the corresponding driver is detected, the driver is downloaded in step S13. Further, the driver is installed in step S14. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S15 to collect network setting information. In step S16, a network setting process is automatically performed based on the collected information. Thereafter, in step S17, a completion report such as "all processing has been completed" is displayed, and the processing ends. In the above example, a description has been given of a network printer, but similar processing can be performed for an arbitrary network device.
[0047]
[Device firmware]
Applying the above system to automate the process of upgrading the firmware version of the device connected to the network and the driver currently installed on your computer for connecting to the device You can also. At the same time, the network setting of each device can be automated. In that case, the network connection device is detected by the same method as described above, and the firmware version and the like of the device are acquired. Since the process of upgrading the driver installed in the own computer has already been described, here, the version upgrade of the firmware of the device will be described. This program is started, for example, by an administrator of the network 31 at an arbitrary timing on a management terminal of the network administrator.
[0048]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an environment setting automation process on a device network.
In this embodiment, a search range is set by an IP address, and device information is collected for a device designated in advance among all devices detected in the range. The reason for specifying the device in advance is to exclude devices that are not subject to the automation process. Therefore, for example, if all necessary environment setting information can be obtained through communication with a device, the device may be handled in the same manner as the designated device. The network investigation module 41 shown in FIG. 1 executes the investigation of the network device, the download module 42 executes the download processing of the firmware to the apparatus, and the network environment setting module 43 executes the environment setting processing of the apparatus. Just fine.
[0049]
Steps S21 to S28 are processing for collecting device information. In step S21, an initial value of the IP address is set. Then, in step S22, an IP address for investigation is set. At first, it is the same as the IP address set as the initial value. If communication is performed in step S23 and it is determined in step S24 that there is a response, the process proceeds to step S25 to collect information on the device. If there is no response, the process jumps to step S28. In step S26, the collected information is analyzed to determine whether the device is a designated device. For example, if the target device is designated as a printer, devices that do not correspond are excluded. If it is determined in step S26 that the device is the designated device, the process proceeds to step S27, and the acquired device information list is registered. In step S28, the next IP address is generated, and the process returns to step S24. By repeating the processing from step S24 to step S28, device information is collected from all target devices connected to the network.
[0050]
The device information includes information such as the firmware version number of each device. Also, information such as a URL of a website for acquiring firmware of the device is included. In the processing in step S29 and subsequent steps, the network setting of each device is performed using the collected device information. First, one target device is selected, and in step S29, the firmware version of the device is determined. For this, the firmware information 16 stored in the web server 10 shown in FIG. 1 is referred to. In the firmware information 16, the latest firmware version number of the target device is displayed, and the corresponding firmware 17 is stored in the storage device 12. The current driver version number of the device is compared with the latest firmware version number to determine whether or not a version upgrade is required. If it is determined that version upgrade is necessary, the process proceeds to step S31. If no version upgrade is required, the process proceeds to step S33, and the process proceeds to the next device.
[0051]
In step S31, the corresponding firmware 17 is temporarily downloaded to the terminal device, and then downloaded to the device. Subsequently, in step S32, the environment of the device is set, and the environment is prepared using the new firmware so that the device can be used on the network. In the step S33, it is determined whether or not the next device is present. If it is determined in step S33 that there is a next device, the process returns to step S29, and the firmware update process for all devices is repeated to end the process.
[0052]
The above-described computer programs may be configured by combining independent program modules, or may be configured by an integrated program as a whole. All or some of the processes controlled by the computer program may be configured by hardware having equivalent functions. Further, the above-described computer program may be used by being incorporated into an existing application program. The computer program for realizing the present invention as described above can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and installed and used in an arbitrary information processing apparatus. In addition, it can be downloaded and used in the memory of any computer through a network.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a network environment setting screen.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of functions of each module of a network environment setting program.
FIG. 4 is a specific operation flowchart of a network environment setting program.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an environment setting automation process on a device network.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 22, 31 network, 21 gateway, 24 router, 10 web server,
12 storage device, 13 network environment setting program, 14 driver information, 15 printer driver, 30 personal computer, 40 network environment setting screen, 41 network investigation module, 42 download module, 43 network environment setting module

Claims (13)

It is downloaded through a network and operates a computer of a terminal device connected to the network,
Detecting the devices connected to the network, and a network investigation module to obtain information identifying each device, and referring to a list of data files required for the operation of the device, download the data file, A network environment setting program, comprising: a setting module for setting up a terminal device. The network environment setting program according to claim 1,
The setting module obtains information indicating a URL of a data file to be downloaded from a predetermined website. The network environment setting program according to claim 1,
A network environment setting program comprising means for specifying a device to be investigated on a network by a network investigation module. The network environment setting program according to claim 1,
A network environment setting program wherein the device to be investigated is a network printer. The network environment setting program according to claim 1,
A network environment setting program characterized in that a survey range is designated by inputting a range of an IP address. The network environment setting program according to claim 1,
The network environment setting is characterized in that the investigation range is specified by inputting the number of hops counted from the network to which the terminal device using the device is connected and increasing by one each time the device crosses the inter-network connection device. program. The network environment setting program according to claim 1,
A network environment setting program characterized in that when the network investigation module detects a plurality of devices, the setting module executes data file download only for the selected devices. The network environment setting program according to claim 1,
When the network survey module detects a plurality of devices, the setting module automatically downloads a data file necessary for the operation of the devices for all the detected devices. program. It is downloaded through a network and operates a computer of a terminal device connected to the network,
Detecting the devices connected to the network, and a network investigation module to obtain information identifying each device, and referring to a list of data files required for the operation of the device, download the data file, A network environment setting program comprising a setting module for setting up the terminal device;
A web server, which is maintained so that it can be browsed through a network. It consists of a terminal device and a server connected to the network,
The server holds a network environment setting program downloaded to the terminal device via a network and operating a computer of the terminal device,
The network environment setting program detects a device connected to the network, and obtains information for identifying each device, a network investigation module, and referring to a list of data files required for the operation of the device, A network environment setting system, comprising: a setting module that downloads a data file and sets up the terminal device. It is downloaded through a network and operates a computer of a terminal device connected to the network,
A network environment setting module for detecting a device connected to the network and acquiring information for identifying each device; and a setting module for downloading firmware of the device to the device through the network. program. It is downloaded through a network and operates a computer of a terminal device connected to the network,
A network environment setting module for detecting a device connected to the network and acquiring information for identifying each device; and a setting module for downloading firmware of the device to the device through the network. To
A web server, which is held so as to be viewable through the network. It consists of a terminal device and a server connected to the network,
The server holds a network environment setting program downloaded to the terminal device via a network and operating a computer of the terminal device,
The network environment setting program detects a device connected to the network and obtains information for identifying each device, a network investigation module, and a setting module for downloading firmware of the device to the device through the network. A network environment setting system, comprising:

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