JP2005293110A - Monitoring device and management method thereof, network monitoring system and management method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network monitoring system capable of saving the labor required to add a new device for increased operational efficiency by preventing a time delay and human errors. <P>SOLUTION: The network monitoring system includes a base monitoring server 1 connected to a base LAN 9, a base server in communication with the Internet 8 via a protocol 10, and devices 3, 4, 5 to be monitored. When a new device is additionally installed, a center management server 7 instructs the base monitoring server 1 to start searching for the device in accordance with information on a contract with a reported customer, and in response to an answer from the base monitoring server 1 reports to an operator who has installed the device. The base monitoring server 1 then searches for the IP address of the MAC address of the device in accordance with a search start command received from the center management server 7, and starts monitoring the device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a monitoring apparatus, a management method thereof, a network monitoring system, a management method thereof, and a program, and more particularly to a mechanism for setting information related to a device to be newly monitored.

  The conventional network monitoring system includes a base side monitoring server (base side monitoring apparatus) 1 and a center side management server (center side management apparatus) 7 on the system shown in FIG. The devices (devices) 3 to 5 to be monitored on the network installed on the (base side) are monitored.

  The base side server 2 and the center side server 6 are connected by a specific protocol 10 via the Internet 8. For example, when SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used as the protocol 10, the base server 2 and the center server 6 are respectively mail servers. Further, the center side management server 7 and the site side monitoring server 1 can communicate with each other via the site side server 2 and the center side server 6.

  Although only one base is shown in FIG. 1, there are actually a plurality of bases, and the base-side monitoring server 1 is arranged at each base. The base-side monitoring server 1 can communicate with the center-side server 6 via the base-side server 2 at each base. Therefore, a database 11 is installed in the center side server 6 so that a large amount of data can be managed. The database 11 may be provided in the center management server 7.

  In FIG. 1, 3, 4, and 5 indicate devices (devices) to be monitored by the site-side monitoring server 1. Examples of the device include a printer (including an electrophotographic system and an inkjet system) as an image forming apparatus, a scanner, a facsimile, a digital multi-function peripheral integrated with a printer and a facsimile function, a personal computer, and a print server. . The site-side monitoring server 1 collects information such as the status of the devices 3 to 5, the component counter indicating the degree of component consumption, the remaining amount of toner, and the number of printings.

  In such a network monitoring system, the center side management server 7 needs to manage the following information of the devices 3 to 5 that are the monitoring target devices by the database 11 or the like. That is, the information to be managed is information on the IP address, unique ID (for example, MAC address) of the device, and whether or not the device is to be monitored (for example, whether or not monitoring is performed on a contract basis). Yes (see FIG. 3).

  Here, when newly installing the site-side monitoring server 1 on the site side, a salesperson or a serviceman collects the above information in advance and creates a network environment survey form (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 4, the network environment survey form includes a customer mail address 401 of the base side monitoring server 1 installed at the customer. As the network environment survey, for example, information depending on the customer's network environment such as the mail server address, the IP address used by the base side monitoring server 1, DNS server information, and the IP address of the monitoring target device is collected. Used as data for database registration on the management server 7 side.

  On the center side management server 7 side, the database information on the center side management server 7 side shown in FIG. 5 has been updated by manual input or the like based on the network environment survey form.

  FIG. 12 shows an outline of work when a device to be monitored is added to the conventional base side.

  In FIG. 12, first, a salesperson or a service person checks in advance what the IP address of the device added to the base side will be and adds it to the network environment survey form. Next, this network environment survey form is sent to the center side management server 7 (the administrator).

  The administrator of the center side management server 7 creates a record that links the IP address, unique number, and contract information of the device to be added from the notified network environment survey form, and additionally registers it in the base side database record. To do. When the installation person (serviceman) finishes installing the device, he / she contacts the administrator of the center side management server 7 for confirmation.

  The administrator of the center side management server 7 issues a command for starting monitoring of the newly added device to the base side monitoring server 1. The person in charge of installation (service man) checks the base side monitoring server and confirms that monitoring of the newly added device is started.

As described above, conventionally, initialization data related to a device is registered in advance in the center-side management server 7 through the above-described work (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-331397

  However, in the above conventional network monitoring system, before a new device is newly installed, the customer visits the customer once, listens to the customer setting information schedule for the device, updates the network environment questionnaire, and updates the center. The administrator of the side management server 7 must be notified.

  The manager of the center side management server 7 must add and update records in the database after receiving the updated network environment survey form. If each base is a separate organization (a separate company), Installation work by an outsider is required, and work that is not failed with minimal man-hours in time, money, and reliability is required.

  Further, if the IP address investigated before the additional device installation work has been changed at the time of installation, a database change operation on the center management server 7 side is required again. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm that the update of the database, the installation work, and the monitoring by the base side monitoring server have been started normally by telephone communication between the person in charge of the installation and the manager on the center side management server 7 side. Don't be.

  Therefore, if the installation person standing by on the center side management server 7 has the authority to update the database of the center side management server 7, it is possible to immediately update the database and continue the device installation work. If the user does not have the authority to update the database, he / she has to ask the database administrator who has the authority to update the data, making it difficult to continue the device installation work on that day. In order to prevent such a situation, it may be possible to give the authority for updating the database to all persons in charge on the center side, but this is not preferable in terms of security.

  Furthermore, in the conventional method described above, first, a preliminary survey such as an IP address that can be freely set by the customer at the site where the device is additionally installed is necessary. Second, the result of the preliminary survey and the monitoring target It is necessary to update the database of the center management server 7 by associating the device information. Third, it is necessary that a person is waiting on the center management server side for the correction process when the preliminary survey and the actual are different. In addition, human error is likely to occur because there are many opportunities for human intervention.

  As described above, there is a problem in that an efficient installation operation cannot be performed because a manual operation is required when a new device is additionally installed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and can save labor by preventing time delay and human error for newly added devices, thereby improving work efficiency. It is an object of the present invention to provide a monitoring apparatus and management method thereof, a network monitoring system and management method thereof, and a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, a monitoring apparatus according to the present invention is a monitoring apparatus that monitors the operating status of a device, and includes detection means for detecting variable device identification information based on fixed device identification information, and detection by the detection means. And notification means for notifying the management device that manages the device of the variable device identification information that has been made.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce work that has been necessary in the past (for example, pre-survey work, work to update a survey result to a database, installation confirmation work, etc.) in newly adding a device. Therefore, it is possible to save labor due to time delay, human error, arrangement of persons in charge, etc., and work efficiency can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a network monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a base-side monitoring device (base-side monitoring server) that monitors a device (device or the like) connected to the base-side LAN 9, and 2 denotes a base that communicates with the Internet 8 using the protocol 10. It is a side server. In the present embodiment, the protocol 10 is SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), and the base server 2 is a mail server.

  Reference numerals 3, 4, and 5 are monitoring target devices (devices), which are connected to each other via the LAN 9. Devices 3, 4, and 5 are printers (including electrophotographic systems and inkjet systems) as image forming apparatuses, scanners, facsimiles, printers, digital multi-function peripherals with integrated facsimile functions, personal computers, and print servers. Etc. The site-side monitoring server 1 collects information such as a component counter indicating the state of each device of the devices 3 to 5 and the degree of consumption of the component, the remaining amount of toner, and the number of printings.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a center server, which is connected to the database 11. The center side server 6 communicates with the Internet 8 using the protocol 10. Reference numeral 7 denotes a center-side management server that manages the center-side server 6 and the like.

  In FIG. 1, only one base is shown, but actually, there are a plurality of bases, and the base-side monitoring server 1 arranged in each base passes through the base-side server 2 of each base. Thus, communication with the center server 6 is possible. Therefore, a database 11 is installed in the center side server 6 so that a large amount of data can be managed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the site side monitoring server 1 in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the site side monitoring server 1 includes a CPU 21 a, a RAM 21 b, a ROM 21 c, and a LAN adapter 21 d connected to the network 22. The site-side monitoring server 1 is connected to the network 9 via the LAN adapter 21d, and can communicate with network devices such as a gateway server, a mail server, and a network printer that are also connected to the network 22. .

  The CPU 21a executes processing described later by executing the program code read from the ROM 21c or the like. The site-side monitoring server 1 may have the same configuration as a normal personal computer.

  Next, operations and processing executed when a device to be monitored is added to the base side will be described with reference to FIGS. The device addition here includes a case where a device to be monitored is newly added from zero.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a contract information database managed by a CRM (customer management) server. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of work executed when a device to be monitored is added to the base side, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of installation work executed by a new device installation worker. 8 is a flowchart showing an additional installation process for a new device executed by the center side management server, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an additional installation process for a new device executed by the site side monitoring server. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a database updated when a new device is added, (a) shows a database state when a new device is added, and (b) shows a database state after the database is updated.

  First, when a contract for newly installing a device with a customer is concluded, contract information shown in FIG. 5 is registered in a database in the CRM server in a CRM (customer management) server. The registered contract information of FIG. 5 is input to the center side management server 7. Here, the contract information includes various information such as the customer ID (such as the MAC address of the site-side monitoring server), the contract device ID (such as the MAC address of the contract target device), and the scheduled installation date shown in FIG.

  The center side management server 7 receives the contract information including the installation information with the customer (step S201 in FIG. 8). For example, contract information indicating that a device monitoring contract has been signed with a customer is notified from the CRM server that manages the contract to the center management server 7.

  Subsequently, the center management server 7 extracts the fixed device identification information of the contract target device from the received contract information (step S202). Here, the fixed device identification information refers to an identifier that is impossible / difficult to change such as a MAC address and a device machine number (serial number). On the other hand, device identification information that can be changed such as an IP address and a device name is referred to as variable device identification information. Hereinafter, the MAC address is used as the fixed device identification information, and the IP address is used as the variable device identification information. However, the combination of the fixed device identification information and the variable device identification information is not limited to this.

  The center-side management server 7 creates a database (DB) record based on the processing in steps S201 and S202 (step S203). The created database (DB) record is a record in which data is buried in fields other than the Device IP Address, for example, as indicated by 1001 in FIG.

  Next, the center side management server 7 extracts information on the installation date and time when the new device is additionally installed from the received contract information (step S204). In the center management server 7, the fixed device identification information of the device and the IP address (variable device identification information) of the device described above with respect to the site monitoring server 1 immediately before the device installation date / time according to the received installation date / time information. A search start command is sent to detect (step S205). In practice, it is assumed that a search instruction can be made by designating a plurality of MAC addresses (fixed device identification information) at once from the center side management server 7 to the site side monitoring server 1.

  As a notification method of the search start command in step S205, (1) an e-mail (e-mail addressed to a customer e-mail address) including a message indicating a search start command addressed to the site side monitoring server 1, (2) a site side For example, a reply of a command request (HTTP / SOAP protocol) to the center side management server 7 or the center side server 6 that is periodically issued by the monitoring server 1 can be cited. This process corresponds to steps S301 and S302 in FIG. The center side management server 7 waits for a response from the site side monitoring server 1 (step S206).

  On the other hand, the site side monitoring server 1 receives the fixed device identification information and the search start command of the device to be newly added from the center side management server 7 (steps S301 and S302 in FIG. 10), and starts searching for the device (steps). S303). Here, for example, the information given in step S301 as fixed device information indicating a device is a MAC address. In this case, the site side monitoring server 1 periodically uses RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol) and requests an IP address corresponding to the MAC address of the newly added device.

  In step S304, the search is continued until a reply to the MAC address associated with RARP is detected. The search is repeated every certain time (for example, 5 minutes). If a search instruction specifying a plurality of MAC addresses (fixed device identification information) is given from the center side management server 7, the process of step S303 is performed until a plurality of specified fixed device identification information is detected. If all the fixed device identification information is detected (YES in step S304), the process proceeds to step S304.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the new device installation worker performs the installation work of a newly added device (monitoring target apparatus) at the customer site at a timing asynchronous with the processing of FIG. 8 (step S101). Here, the installation work refers to installation, network connection, confirmation of initial operation, and the like.

  When the device installation is completed and the device joins the network, the MAC address and IP address of the device may be a RARP server (not shown) (for example, a dedicated server or a RARP service running on a client computer). Is automatically registered). The site side monitoring server 1 can detect the IP address from the MAC address of the newly installed device using RARP (YES in step S304 in FIG. 9).

  The site side monitoring server 1 notifies the center side management server 7 of the detected IP address together with the MAC address (step S305). The center side management server 7 can newly register an IP address in the database using the MAC address included in the notification as a key.

  When there is a response from the base side monitoring server 1 (YES in step S206 in FIG. 8), the waiting center side management server 7 uses the IP address and MAC address received from the base side monitoring server 1. The database is updated (step S207). The state of the database at this time is shown in FIG. Here, the same information as the information shown in FIG. 3 is added to the database, and necessary and sufficient information for managing the device is prepared. Note that reference numeral 301 in FIG. 3 denotes an e-mail address of the site side monitoring server 1 installed at the customer.

  When the database registration is completed, the center side management server 7 instructs the base side monitoring server 1 to suspend the periodic search work (step S208 in FIG. 8). This interruption instruction can be realized by the same method as (1) and (2) described in step S205. Further, the periodic monitoring may be automatically interrupted when the site-side monitoring server 1 notifies the center-side management server 7 of the IP address. In any case, avoid unnecessary traffic. Further, the center side management server 7 notifies the installation operator's mobile phone of a database update completion mail (step S209).

  The site side monitoring server 1 receives the search cancellation command from the center side management server 7 and stops the search by RARP (step S306 in FIG. 9), and starts a normal device monitoring operation (step S307). The installation worker receives the e-mail with the mobile phone and confirms the completion of the installation (step S102 in FIG. 7).

  According to the first embodiment, the center side management server 7 creates a DB record based on the contract information with the customer input from the outside, and the base side monitoring server 1 has the variable device identification information of the new device. A search start (for example, IP address) can be instructed.

  Further, the base side monitoring server 1 searches the variable device identification information (for example, IP address) for the fixed device identification information (for example, MAC address) of the new device in accordance with the search start command received from the center side management server 7. Since the detected variable device identification information is notified to the center side management server 7 and the monitoring operation of the device is started, it is possible to prevent a time delay or a human error with respect to a newly added device, Labor saving can be achieved by arranging the person in charge, and the work efficiency can be improved.

[Second Embodiment]
The basic configuration of the second embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 5) is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

  In the second embodiment, the site side monitoring server 1 starts searching for a device to be newly monitored (step S303 in FIG. 9), and detects variable device identification information of the device (step S304). Is used. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, variable device identification information is described as an IP address, and fixed device identification information is described as a MAC address.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation process of the site-side monitoring server 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 11, the site side monitoring server 1 issues a Ping to each node in the subnet, and sets the first IP address of the subnet to the Ping issue destination address (TargetIP) (TargetIP = 1) (step S401). . Subsequently, Ping is issued to the target IP address (Ping TargetIP) (step S402).

  Next, the response to Ping is confirmed (Reply) (step S403). If there is a response (YES in step S403), the ARP cache is updated (Arp cache check) in the base side monitoring server 1. Then, the MAC address information of the ARP cache is acquired (step S404) and compared to confirm whether it is a new monitoring target device (Same MAC address?) (Step S405). If they are the same, the detection is complete.

  On the other hand, if the response cannot be confirmed in step S403 (NO in step S403), the node does not exist at the IP address described above, so the target IP address is incremented (TargetIP = TargetIP + 1) (step S406). ), It is confirmed whether it is the end of the subnet (step S407). If the end of the subnet has not been reached, the process proceeds to step S402, where a PING is issued to the target IP.

  On the other hand, when the end of the subnet has been reached, it means that the target device to be newly monitored has not yet joined the network in the series of PING searches this time, and shifts to a standby state for a certain time (step S408). . When the fixed time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S401, and the search is repeated from the first node in the subnet. In practice, it is assumed that the center side management server 7 can instruct the base side monitoring server 1 to execute the process of FIG. 11 in which a plurality of MAC addresses are specified at once.

  According to the second embodiment, since Ping is used in the process in which the base-side monitoring server 1 detects a device to be newly monitored, as in the first embodiment, a new device is newly installed. On the other hand, it is possible to prevent time delays and human error, save labor by assigning persons in charge, and improve work efficiency.

  Further, as compared with the first embodiment, even when the RARP service does not exist on the base side network, the base side monitoring server 1 reliably detects the variable device identification information (IP address), and the detection result is sent to the center side. The management server 7 can be notified.

[Third Embodiment]
The basic configuration of the third embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 5) is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

  In the third embodiment, the base side monitoring server 1 starts searching for variable device identification information of a device to be newly monitored (step S303 in FIG. 9), and detects the variable device identification information of the device ( Step S304) SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is used in the process. In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the variable device identification information is described as an IP address, and the fixed device identification information is described as a MAC address.

  The PingSWEEP process (FIG. 11) in the second embodiment issues a Ping to all nodes in the subnet, and does not wait until a timeout occurs even for a node that does not respond. It takes a long time to search. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the number of nodes to check whether the device is a monitoring target device. As the method, SNMP broadcast is used.

  Since SNMP is used as the monitoring means, the device to be monitored supports SNMP. The Community name of the SNMP request is normally “Public”, but any character string can be used, and a unique character string that can be received only by the device is used. Even if SNMP is supported, a node whose Community name does not match does not return a response.

  For each IP address of the node that has responded, an SNMP request is issued to directly acquire the MAC address, or the MAC from the ARP cache of the site side monitoring server 1 is obtained as in the second embodiment. Get the address and compare it to see if it is a new monitored device.

  In addition, by using a vendor-specific MIB, it is possible to limit the nodes that can respond normally. A node that supports SNMP but does not support vendor-specific MIB returns an error, and therefore can be limited to only nodes that have returned a normal response.

  According to the third embodiment, SNMP is used in the process in which the site-side monitoring server 1 detects a device to be newly monitored, so that the search time for a new monitoring target device can be shortened. In addition, it is possible to prevent time delays and human error for newly installed devices, and to save labor by assigning persons in charge, thereby improving work efficiency.

[Fourth Embodiment]
The basic configuration of the fourth embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 5) is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

  In the fourth embodiment, the base side monitoring server 1 starts searching for a device to be newly monitored (step S303 in FIG. 9), and uses the broadcast of the unique protocol in the process of detecting the device (step S304). Is. In the fourth embodiment, the variable device identification information is assumed to be an IP address, and the fixed device identification information is assumed to be a MAC address.

  Some devices to be monitored by a specific vendor can exchange data using a special protocol. Therefore, in order to confirm a device to be monitored by a specific vendor, the responding node can be limited by using this protocol. Request the MAC address information (fixed device identification information) from the responding node, compare the obtained values, and confirm whether the device is a new monitoring target device.

  According to the fourth embodiment, since the site side monitoring server 1 uses the broadcast of the unique protocol in the process of detecting the device to be newly monitored, the device is the same as in the first to third embodiments. Therefore, it is possible to prevent time delays and human error and to save labor by assigning persons in charge, thereby improving work efficiency.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the processing in one base-side monitoring server 1 has been described, but the processing described above in the plurality of base-side monitoring servers 1 installed in each base is performed. Needless to say, the center side management server 7 and the center side management server 7 also give various instructions to the plurality of base side monitoring servers 1 in practice.

  An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a predetermined system or apparatus, and store the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus. It is also achieved by reading and executing the program code stored on the medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, and a DVD. -RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, etc. can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. A case where part or all of actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in 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. This includes the case where the 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 are realized by the processing.

1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a network monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the base side monitoring server 1 in FIG. It is a figure which shows the database managed by the center side management server 7 in FIG. It is a figure which shows a network environment investigation form. It is a figure which shows the database of the contract information managed by a CRM server. It is a figure which shows the flow of the work performed when adding the device used as the monitoring object to the base side. It is a flowchart of the installation work performed by the installation worker of a new device. It is a flowchart which shows the additional installation process of the new device performed by the center side management server. It is a flowchart which shows the additional installation process of the new device performed by the base side monitoring server. It is a figure which shows the database updated when a new device is added, (a) is a database state at the time of a new device addition, (b) is a database state after updating a database. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement process of the base side monitoring server 1 in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of the work performed at the time of the conventional new device addition installation.

Explanation of symbols

1 Site-side monitoring server 2 Site-side server 3, 4, 5 Device to be monitored (device)
6 Center side server 7 Center side management server 8 Internet 9 LAN
10 Protocol 11 Database

Claims (12)

A monitoring device that monitors the operating status of a device,
Detecting means for detecting variable device identification information based on the fixed device identification information;
A monitoring apparatus comprising: notification means for notifying the management apparatus that manages the device of variable device identification information detected by the detection means.   2. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection means performs detection using at least one of RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol), Ping, and SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol).   The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit performs detection using broadcast of a unique protocol. A network monitoring system comprising the monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and a management device that manages devices,
The management apparatus newly inputs contract information including fixed device identification information of a device, and
A network monitoring system comprising: instruction means for instructing search by the monitoring device for variable device identification information based on fixed device identification information input via the input means.   5. The network monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein the instructing unit instructs the monitoring device including a plurality of fixed device identification information to search for the variable device identification information. A monitoring device management method for monitoring the operating status of a device,
A detection step of detecting variable device identification information based on fixed device identification information;
And a notification step of notifying the management device that manages the device of the variable device identification information detected by the detection means.   The management method according to claim 6, wherein the detection step performs detection using at least one of RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol), Ping, and SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol).   The management method according to claim 6, wherein the detection step performs detection using broadcast of a unique protocol. A management method for a network monitoring system comprising the monitoring device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, and a management device for managing a device,
The management apparatus newly inputs contract information including fixed device identification information of a device, and
And an instruction step for instructing search by the monitoring device for variable device identification information based on the fixed device identification information input in the input step.   The management method according to claim 9, wherein the instructing step instructs the monitoring device including a plurality of fixed device identification information to search for the variable device identification information.   A program executed by a computer for realizing the management method according to any one of claims 6 to 8.   A program executed by a computer for realizing the management method according to claim 9 or 10.

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