JP2018136876A - Monitoring device, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in which: a monitoring system targeted on a large number of network apparatuses is unified to a computer and has few functions; on the other hand, a monitoring module installed on each apparatus may not go through a firewall even if it has sufficient functions.SOLUTION: A monitoring device is equipped with a proxy function, enables a monitoring module if a network apparatus includes it, and uses the proxy function of the monitoring device to have monitoring information sent to a management server.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a monitoring apparatus, method, and program using network communication.

  Conventionally, a remote management system for maintenance of network equipment (hereinafter referred to as a device) including a copying machine collects monitoring information (errors, alarms, jams) from the device, and operates an operator or a service person of a sales company. , Provided to consumables personnel. This remote management system comprises a monitoring module for monitoring devices and a remote management service on the Internet. The monitoring module transmits monitoring information of a device to be monitored to the remote management service. This monitoring module includes a form provided as an embedded program of each device and a form provided by being installed in a PC (personal computer). When the monitoring module is installed in the PC, the monitoring module sets a plurality of devices as monitoring targets, collects monitoring information from these monitoring targets, and transmits the collected information to the remote management service. In the form provided as an embedded program in the device, monitoring is started by setting through the LUI (local UI) of the device. This is effective in a case where a small number of devices are installed, such as a case where one device is installed for one customer. On the other hand, in an environment in which several thousand devices are installed for one customer, it takes a lot of labor if a service person goes around each device to set a monitoring module. In such a case, a monitoring module installed and provided on a PC is used to centrally manage a large number of devices from the PC screen and perform monitoring settings. Conventionally, there has been a technology for controlling communication such as collecting information from sensor devices on a network and issuing processing to the devices (see, for example, Reference 1).

JP 2007-334612 A

  It is rare that one customer who is the target of the remote management service is a large-scale system having thousands of devices. Therefore, there are not many cases in which a monitoring module is installed on a PC to monitor a plurality of devices. . In many cases, a monitoring module is incorporated into a monitoring target device to monitor the devices. In addition, by incorporating the monitoring module into the monitored device, the power status of the monitored device is guaranteed while the monitoring module is operating, so the possibility of guaranteeing the application of remote instructions from the remote management service to the device is compared. High. From such a background, in a remote management system, by incorporating a monitoring module into a monitoring target device, new functions for monitoring the devices can be easily adopted, and the number of functions is relatively enriched. Will do.

  On the other hand, depending on the customer's device installation environment, even if it is not a large-scale system, there are cases in which a monitoring module is installed on a PC to monitor multiple devices for security reasons, for example. . Here, the reason for security is a case where a direct connection to the remote management service is not allowed individually by the monitoring module in which each monitoring target device is incorporated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional example, and uses a monitoring module incorporated in a monitoring target device even when connected to a remote management service via a PC in which the monitoring module is installed. The purpose is to provide a mechanism that can adopt functions realized by a remote management system.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration. That is, according to the first aspect, the monitoring device collects monitoring information from network devices connected via a network and transmits the monitoring information to a device management system on an external network,
A collection means for collecting functional information of the network device to be monitored;
Based on the function information, when it is determined that the network device has a self-monitoring function of collecting monitoring information of the network device and transmitting the monitoring information to an external network, the network device Setting connection information to the proxy server function of the monitoring device for communicating with the network, and enabling means for enabling the self-monitoring function of the network device,
The network device in which the self-monitoring function is validated transmits monitoring information to the device management system via a proxy server function of the monitoring device.

According to the second aspect,
A monitoring device capable of communicating with a device management system on an external network,
A management unit that manages a plurality of network devices including a network device that transmits monitoring information to the device management system via a proxy server function of the monitoring device;
Transmitting means for transmitting an inquiry of an instruction command to the device management system;
Execution means for receiving an instruction command for the inquiry and executing the instruction command when a target of the instruction command is a monitoring device;
When the instruction command for the inquiry is received and the target of the instruction command is a network device included in the monitoring target, a transfer unit that transfers the instruction command to the network device is provided.

According to the present invention, even if it is connected to a remote management service via a PC on which a monitoring module is installed, the function realized by the remote management system using the monitoring module incorporated in the monitoring target device is adopted. A possible mechanism can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of a network system. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the hardware control part of a network apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a software function structure of a network apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the hardware control part of a monitoring apparatus. It is a figure which shows the software function block diagram of the monitoring apparatus. It is a figure which shows the software function block diagram of a remote management service server. It is a flowchart showing the operation example of the application of a monitoring apparatus. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence at the time of initial installation. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence at the time of the inquiry of an instruction command. It is a sequence diagram at the time of issuing an instruction command. It is a figure which shows the example of the management record which a status management part produces. It is a figure which shows the example of the management record which a status management part produces.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Configuration example of network device management system of this embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network connection relationship between a base network such as a plurality of customer networks in which a plurality of network devices are installed and a remote management service server for the network devices.

  In FIG. 1, reference numerals 100 to 102 denote network devices such as copying machines. Reference numerals 110 to 112 denote customer LANs (local area networks). Each network of LANs 110 to 112 is divided at each site. The bases are connected to each other by a network such as a WAN (wide area network), Internet VPN, wide area Ethernet (registered trademark), or the like. In FIG. 1, LAN 110 is shown as the main internal network of a customer company. LAN 111 represents a sales office network located at a base different from the head office, and LAN 112 represents a factory network that is a base different from the head office and the sales office. Network devices 100 to 102 are printers such as MFPs (Multi-Function Printers) and single-function devices (SFPs) that are connected to the customer's in-house LANs (Local Area Networks) 110 to 112, respectively. Alternatively, an image forming apparatus is shown.

  In the present embodiment, a copying machine having functions such as printing and scanning is exemplified as the network devices 100 to 102 having a function capable of transmitting various device information and operation information via a network. The present embodiment can be applied to any device having such a transmission function in addition to a copying machine. For example, the present embodiment can also be applied to a printer, a scanner, a network camera, a digital medical device, and the like.

  In addition to network devices, the company LAN is connected to multiple PCs, business servers, and other devices. The main office network 110 in FIG. 1 further includes three networks 120, 121, and 122. The network 120 indicates that a terminal 125 or a network device 100 used by a general employee is connected. A network 121 is a network provided with a connection point between the customer's in-house LAN and the Internet 140, and indicates that a firewall 132 and a proxy server 133 are connected. A network 122 indicates a network of a customer data center, and a monitoring device 130 for monitoring the business server 131 and the network devices 100 to 102 is connected thereto. Here, the firewall 132 has a function of restricting communication between an external network such as the Internet and an internal network.

  The in-office network 111 includes a network 123, which is a base LAN, to which a terminal 126 and a network device 101 used by a user such as a sales representative are connected. The in-factory network 112 includes a network 124 which is a base LAN, and is connected to a terminal 127 and a network device 102 used by users working in the factory. On the Internet 140, there is a device management system including a remote management service server 150 and other information providing service 151, and provides services such as device operation status reports and remote maintenance.

  The customer network depicted in Figure 1 is an example, and the myriad corporate LANs are connected to the Internet. In the corporate networks 110 to 112, access control is set for routers and firewalls for security. For example, access from the network terminal of the factory network 112 is permitted to the data center network 122 in the head office network 110. With this setting, the terminal 127 in the factory is accessed to the business server 131 to manage daily business. However, when it is not necessary to access the service on the Internet from the terminal 127 in the factory, the access setting to the main company network 121 is not performed. By performing such settings, the terminal 127 connected to the network 124 in the factory cannot access the Internet.

  On the other hand, at the head office or sales office, it is necessary to access the Internet 140 for business and use a service provided from the outside. Terminals 125 and 126 connected to the networks 120 and 123 at such bases are allowed to access the network 121. Also, the terminals 125 and 126 connected to the networks 120 and 123 are allowed to access the business server 131 connected to the data center network.

  In such an environment, the monitoring device 130 is connected to the data center network 122 that can access any network device in the customer network. The monitoring device 130 is allowed to access the network 121 in order to transmit network device monitoring information to the remote management service server 150 on the Internet. If access to the Internet 140 is permitted, the firewall 132 is also permitted to access the Internet beyond the firewall 132 in the setting of the firewall 132.

<Configuration example of control unit of network device of this embodiment>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a hardware control unit of a network device to be monitored by the monitoring device 130 such as the network devices 100 to 102 in FIG. The control unit of the network device 100 mainly performs processing of programs such as copy, print, browser application, and a monitoring module that monitors the network device itself. The control unit includes a part that performs system management and a part that performs image processing management.

  Each component that performs system management includes an operation unit 301, a network I / F unit 202, a line I / F unit 203, a ROM 204, a RAM 205, a storage device 206, and a CPU 207. Each component that performs image processing management includes an IO control unit 208, an image processing unit 209, an image rotation unit 210, a digital I / F unit 211, a compression / decompression unit 212, and a pixel density conversion unit 213. These components are connected to a system bus 216 and an image bus 217. The ROM 204 stores control programs such as copy, print, and network device monitoring programs.

  The storage device 206 stores a general program such as a web browser or an application installed by a user. The program includes a monitoring program (or a monitoring module) that performs monitoring, such as monitoring the operating state and settings of the device itself in response to a request (request) from the monitoring device 130 and transmitting the monitoring status to the monitoring device 130. These programs stored in the ROM 204 and the storage device 206 are executed by the CPU 207. A RAM 205 is a work memory area for executing a program. It is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data and network content necessary for application programs to control network devices. Since the storage device 206 is a non-volatile storage device, it stores application license information and setting values that need to be retained after the network device 100 is restarted. A network I / F 202 is an interface unit for connecting to a LAN, and communicates with various computers on the network via the LAN.

  In addition, activation, termination, and other processing of applications stored in the network device can be instructed via a network from a program outside the network device. For example, the monitoring module that monitors the network device itself can be activated in response to an instruction from the monitoring device 130 or can start monitoring. The same applies to each setting value of the network device, and it can be set via the network. For example, the address setting of the Proxy server 133 used when the network device itself accesses the Internet can be set in response to an instruction from the monitoring device 130.

  The line I / F unit 203 is connected to the public telephone network, is controlled by a communication control program in the ROM 204, and transmits / receives data to / from a remote terminal via a device such as a modem. The line I / F unit 203 is also used for facsimile transmission / reception. The operation unit 201 incorporates display means and key input means, and these are controlled by the CPU 207. The operator gives various setting instructions and operation / stop instructions regarding scanner reading and print output through the key input means. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 216.

  The IO control unit 208 is a bus bridge for connecting the system bus 216 and an image bus 217 that transfers image data at high speed. The image bus 217 is configured by, for example, a PCI bus or IEEE1394.

  The following devices are arranged on the image bus 217. The digital I / F unit 211 connects the reader unit 215 or the printer unit 214 of the device with the control unit, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. Further, information detected by the above-described various sensors arranged at various locations in the reader unit 215 and the printer unit 214 flows to the system bus 216 via the digital I / F unit 211 and the IO control unit 208.

  An image processing unit 209 performs correction / processing / editing on input and output image data. The image rotation unit 210 rotates image data. The image compression / decompression unit 212 performs JPEG compression for multi-value image data and JBIG / MMR / MR / MH for binary image data. The image density conversion unit 213 performs resolution conversion and the like on the output image data.

  With the above configuration, the network devices 101 to 103 can provide functions such as a copying machine, a printer, and a scanner, and can communicate with the monitoring device 130 provided in the data center network 122 via the network. A monitoring module can also be executed.

<Network module software module configuration>
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of software modules of the network devices 100 to 103 to be monitored by the monitoring device 130 in FIG. 1, particularly the configuration related to the monitoring module. 301 to 307 and 309 to 311 in the figure correspond to software modules of the network device 100. Reference numeral 301 denotes a self-monitoring module in the network device, and among these, 302 which performs central processing represents an overall manager. In the figure, 308 represents a network outside the network device, and corresponds to the LANs 120, 123, and 124 in FIG. There is a setting management IF 305 as an IF that receives external instructions and provides management information of network devices. The setting management IF 305 executes processing in the network device in response to an external request, returns the requested data, and provides an IF for changing the setting information in the network device. For example, a protocol for managing network devices such as SNMP can be used as a protocol, but here it is not limited to SNMP, and other standard protocols, original protocols, other management protocols, etc. May be used.

  303 represents a timer. The overall manager 302 of the monitoring module 301 constantly monitors the status of network devices. When an event such as a jam or an error occurs in the network device, event information related to the event is collected via the device interface 309, and the collected event information is transmitted to the remote management service server 150.

  In addition, information such as counters and logs is transmitted in the timer 303, and is received from the timer 303 when it is time to transmit to the remote management service server 150. Then, predetermined data is transmitted to the remote management service server 150 at predetermined time intervals.

  Reference numeral 304 denotes a setting management manager in the self-monitoring module. Here, only systems that are set via the network are described, but setting information may be managed collectively for instructions from another IF such as LUI (local UI). For example, settings such as URL settings of the remote management service server 150, proxy server settings, and start / stop of self-monitoring are received from the outside and controlled in cooperation with the overall manager 302. These settings can be changed from the local UI.

  Reference numeral 306 denotes a communication management manager. The overall manager 302 transmits network device monitoring information to the remote management service server 150 in response to the occurrence of an event or the expiration of the timer 303. At this time, essential data to be transmitted by the communication management manager 306 is collected by this module, and it is confirmed whether or not the data to be transmitted is sufficient. Further, the communication management manager 306 performs transmission control in an appropriate order and at an appropriate timing by controlling information priorities and whether or not to retransmit.

  Reference numeral 307 denotes an HTTP / SOAP IF. This IF is an HTTP client and is an IF for transmitting data to the external network 308. Here, the client is a client for transmitting self-monitoring information of the network device to the remote management service server 150. Here, SOAP (Single Object Access Protocol) is an XML-based protocol, and is used for the provision and use of Web services, for example. In other words, in this example, messages are transmitted to and received from the monitoring server 150 using SOAP. In addition, HTTP / SOAP and protocols are described in the figure, but even with lightweight protocols using REST / JSON, protocols that are expected to be used for IOT using MQTT and Web Socket are used. Also good. This is a module that performs processing for transmitting network device monitoring information to the remote management service server 150, and does not limit the protocol.

  Reference numeral 310 denotes a DB access management unit that manages DB access to the device setting information storage unit. Reference numeral 311 denotes a device setting information storage unit representing a DB for storing device setting information. The device setting information storage unit 311 mainly stores network system setting information such as an IP address and a Proxy server, URL information of the remote management service server 150, and the like. In addition to this, the device setting information storage unit 311 may store information collected each time an event occurs, for example. For example, in FIG. 1, when the monitoring device 130 instructs the network device to set the proxy server and perform a communication test to the remote management service server 150, the network device, particularly the setting management manager 304, sets the setting management IF 305. An instruction to change the setting is accepted. Here, the proxy server setting is a setting for the network device for the network device to communicate via the proxy server. Upon receiving the proxy server setting instruction, the setting management manager 304 stores the proxy server setting in the DB, that is, the device setting information storage unit 311 via the DB access management unit 301. Along with this processing, a communication test issue instruction is issued to the overall manager 302.

  In response to this communication test issuance instruction, the overall manager 302 acquires information necessary for the communication test via the DB access management unit 310. This necessary information is the URL of the remote management service server 150 and the address of the set proxy server 133. The overall manager 302 that has acquired this information issues a communication test instruction together with the acquired information to the communication management manager 306 in order to execute the communication test. The communication manager 306 collects the network device identifier and other information necessary for executing the communication test in addition to the URL of the communication test partner and the proxy server 133, and sends a communication test instruction to the HTTP / SOAP IF307. give. Then, the HTTP / SOAP IF 307 performs a communication test on the remote management service server 150, receives a response indicating that the test is successful, and the general manager 302 starts self-monitoring of the network device.

<Example of Controller Configuration of Monitoring Device 130 of the Present Embodiment>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus such as a server PC for realizing the monitoring apparatus 130 and the remote management service server 150 in FIG. The monitoring device 130 executes an application for collecting device management information from the network devices 100 to 102 via the network. The monitoring device 130 has a general information processing device configuration. That is, in addition to the bus 401, the CPU 402, the ROM 403, and the RAM 404, a network I / F 405 for connecting to a network such as a LAN, a display control unit 406 that controls the display device 409, and an input control unit that controls the input devices 410 and 411 407 and a storage device 408 are provided.

  The bus 401 is a common signal path for transferring data between the components constituting the monitoring device 130 of FIG. The RAM 404 is a rewritable storage means and serves as a work memory area for executing network device management software. Network device management software includes a program for obtaining monitoring information from a network device via a network, a program for issuing a setting change instruction, a program for instructing start and stop of processing, and the like. The monitoring information acquired from the network device is expanded in the RAM 404 and converted into a predetermined form.

  The storage device 408 is a nonvolatile storage device. The storage device 408 stores an OS that performs hardware control of the monitoring device 130. In addition, a list of a plurality of network devices to be managed, and programs constituting management software and plug-in software are stored. In addition to these programs, the storage device 408 also stores setting information for use in program processing, such as authentication information for issuing requests to network devices and SNMP community names. The

  The network I / F 405 is an interface for the monitoring device 130 to connect to a network, and the monitoring device 130 communicates with network devices via the network.

  The CPU 402 controls each component 403 to 411 individually or in an integrated manner, and collects and controls monitoring information of network devices via the network I / F 405 based on the program stored in the storage device 408. Or

<Software module configuration of monitoring device 130>
The monitoring device 130 monitors a plurality of network devices installed in the customer network and connected to the customer network. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the function of a program that performs an instruction issuing process to the network device in the monitoring device software executed on the monitoring device 130. For a network device having a simple function such as an SFP (single function printer), the monitoring device 130 requests status information via the network. Then, it is determined whether or not the monitoring information is transmitted to the remote management service server 150 from the obtained monitoring information. On the other hand, a network module having a plurality of functions such as scanning, printing, and faxing such as an MFP (multifunction printer) may be provided with a monitoring module that is a program for monitoring itself, and may be installed. The monitoring device 130 instructs the network device in which such a monitoring module is installed to set the Proxy server 133 and start the monitoring program in the network device over the network. Since a device that does not have a monitoring module returns status information in response to a request from the monitoring device 130, general items are often monitored. On the other hand, since the monitoring module is developed for the device on which it is installed, the device with the monitoring module collects more detailed information, such as information relating to unique functions, for example. 130 can be provided.

  In FIG. 5, an example of input / output processing of each software module constituting the software of the monitoring device 130 will be described. The person in charge who provides the maintenance service of the network equipment to the customer is represented as user A. The monitoring device software has a UI for accepting registration of a network device to be managed from user A.

  The user IF (UI) control unit 501 provides a device registration screen in the remote monitoring device software. User A prepares by searching a network device list to be monitored from the network or creating a list of network devices sold to a customer. Then, the network device list is registered in the monitoring information storage unit 504 from the UI control unit 501. This network device list includes network address information such as the serial number and IP address of the network device. As a result, the monitoring device 130 can access the network device in the customer network. Further, the user IF input / output control unit can display a registered network device list and control whether or not the network device is to be monitored in accordance with an instruction from user A.

  For example, a button for executing a communication test is displayed for a plurality of network devices to be monitored, and an instruction to start monitoring is received. In addition, the user A receives an instruction to remove a specific network device from the monitoring target. Reference numeral 502 denotes an overall management manager that performs central processing of the monitoring device software. The overall management manager 502 issues a processing instruction to each module in the monitoring device software and transmits the instruction to perform management so that a series of processing is executed correctly.

  Reference numeral 503 denotes an input / output unit for the information storage unit of the monitoring device software. Reference numeral 504 denotes a monitoring information storage unit of the monitoring device software. The monitoring information storage unit 504 stores, in the storage device 408, the monitoring target candidates registered from the user A or by other registration methods and the network device list to be monitored. The monitoring information storage unit 504 stores and manages monitoring information such as network addresses, product names, and identifiers of all network devices in the storage device 408. In addition, the monitoring information storage unit 504 stores and manages the performance and function of each network device of the network device to be monitored, and also the monitoring information collection method and all information necessary for monitoring, in the storage device 408.

  Reference numeral 505 denotes a proxy process control unit. When the monitoring device 130 determines that the monitoring device 130 itself is necessary, or when instructed by the user A, the monitoring device software can validate the function as the Proxy server. That is, the monitoring device 130 can function as a proxy server. Reference numeral 506 denotes a status management unit of an instruction command issued from the remote management server 150. The monitoring device 130 acquires an instruction command from the remote management service server 150 via the network. The acquisition of this instruction command may be acquired by the monitoring apparatus 130 transmitting an instruction command inquiry method to the remote management service server 150 and performing polling. This is because the firewall 132 blocks a voluntary request from the outside, and even if the remote management service server 150 voluntarily transmits an instruction command, the firewall 132 may not be exceeded. In addition, an instruction command may be received from the remote management service server 150 in real time while maintaining a TCP level session on a protocol such as HTTP / HTTPS such as MQTT or Web Socket. When the monitoring device 130 receives the instruction command from the remote management service server 150, the monitoring device 130 executes the instruction command and manages the status in each processing phase to determine the result of the processing.

  The status management unit 506 manages the processing result for the instruction command finally received, and performs management until the result is transmitted to the remote management service server 150.

  The monitoring device 130 receives an instruction command from the remote management service server 150. The received instruction command is usually an instruction command addressed to the monitoring device 130, but may receive an instruction command addressed to a specific network device. In such a case, the monitoring device 130 once receives an instruction command addressed to a specific network device and issues an instruction to the target network device again via the network.

  Reference numeral 507 denotes a device communication management unit. The device communication management unit 507 communicates with the network device based on the network address of the network device list stored in the monitoring information storage unit 504 of the monitoring device 130. In this communication, network device existence confirmation, network device identification, network device type determination, capability confirmation (firmware version confirmation, specific module response), and the like are performed. Also, network device monitoring information such as network device failure information and printer usage status is acquired using SNMP and proprietary protocols. In addition, network devices with a built-in monitoring module are monitored in a polling format and are not efficient. Although this monitoring module is described as a built-in module, it may be a program whose processing runs on a network device and is not limited in form. Specifically, it may be a program to be installed or a program that runs on a network device to which an optional device is attached.

  In such a case, the overall management manager 502 issues an instruction to validate the monitoring module incorporated in the network device itself. Even if the monitoring module is enabled as it is, communication with the remote management service server 150 is not always possible. For example, there is a case where communication by a network device is set so as not to access the Internet 140 through the firewall 132. Therefore, it is conceivable that the monitoring device 130 instructs the proxy server 133 to set the address of the proxy server 133 so that the network device can access the internet 140, and accesses the internet 140 via the proxy server 133.

  However, it is not possible to connect directly to the Internet simply by setting the proxy server 133 address from the network where the network device is installed. Therefore, when the monitoring device 130 activates the monitoring module of the network device, a Proxy process is activated in the monitoring device 130, and the monitoring device 130 has a Proxy server function. The overall management manager 502 determines whether or not the Proxy process of the monitoring apparatus 130 has already been activated. If the Proxy process has not been activated, it issues an instruction for the Proxy function to the Proxy process control unit 505. When the proxy process starts up in the monitoring device 130 itself, the network address of the monitoring device 130 is registered in the network device as the proxy server address at the timing of instructing the network device to enable the self-monitoring program, that is, the monitoring module.

<Software module configuration of remote management service server 150>
The remote management service server 150 is one of various services existing on the Internet. This service collects monitoring information of network devices installed in the customer environment, and provides support information for maintenance to service personnel and maintenance contract companies.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the function of a program for performing an instruction command issuance process to the network device in the remote management service server software executed on the remote management service server 150. In FIG. 6, an example of input / output processing of each software module constituting the software of the remote management service server 150 will be described. A person in charge who uses the network device monitoring information collected by using the remote management service server 150 is represented as user B. In addition, the remote management service server 150 can receive an instruction command from the user B, transmit it to a specific network device, and cause the remote network device to execute processing.

  Here, processing when user B issues an instruction command will be described. When the monitoring device 130 is installed in the customer network as a network device management mode, an instruction command is issued to a specific network device via the monitoring device 130. When the user B wants to process a processing command for an arbitrary network device via the remote management service server 150, the user B issues an instruction command to the monitoring device 130 to the target network device.

  Further, when the monitoring device 130 is not on the customer network and the monitoring module is operating on the network device, each network device issues an inquiry command inquiry communication. For this reason, when the user B issues an instruction command to the target network device, the target network device issues an instruction command in response to the instruction command inquiry communication.

  Reference numeral 601 denotes a Web Service interface published on the Internet. The monitoring information from the network device is received via this interface, and an instruction is issued in response to an instruction command inquiry.

  Reference numeral 602 denotes an interpretation unit that interprets the type of data and what kind of data is received after the WebService 601 has received the monitoring information transmitted from the network device. For example, if SOAP is used, the interpretation unit 602 interprets the SOAP message.

  Reference numeral 603 denotes a response creation unit, which issues an instruction when responding to an OK response indicating that data reception has been accepted or an instruction command inquiry, for example, for monitoring information received from a network device.

  Reference numeral 604 denotes an overall management manager, which is a management program that issues and instructs a series of processes regarding input from a user and reception of monitoring information from a network device to each module.

  Reference numeral 605 denotes a management information input / output unit that identifies a network device that matches a condition in response to a request from the user, and writes or reads the status of an instruction command issued by the user to the specific network device in the DB.

  A management information storage unit 606 stores all network device information managed by the remote management service server 150, management information, and the like. In addition, the status of instruction commands issued by the user, processing results, and the like are stored.

  Further, the remote management service server software has a UI for receiving an instruction command issued from the user B to the specific network device. A screen for receiving an instruction command in the remote management service server software is a user IF (UI) control unit 607. For example, when issuing an instruction to a specific network device, the remote management service server 150 executes the following processing. User B searches the network device list to be issued from the list of network devices to be managed. At this time, the query for searching for the network device received by the UI control unit 607 is transmitted to the management information input / output unit 605 via the overall management manager 604. The management information input / output unit 605 that has received the query for specifying the target network device specifies the network device that matches the condition from the management information storage unit 606 and returns it as a response. Network device information that is a query result is presented (for example, displayed) to the user B via the UI control unit 607. When the network device is the target network device, the user B selects an instruction list that can be issued from the screen UI, and sets issuance of the instruction. The overall management manager 604 that has received this instruction via the UI control unit 607 acquires the monitoring configuration of the network device via the management information input / output unit 605. The monitoring configuration is, for example, information indicating whether a network device is a monitoring target by a monitoring device, whether a monitoring module is installed, a function provided by the installed monitoring module, or the like. Good. By referring to the monitoring configuration, for example, it is possible to know that the network device has a monitoring module and is a monitoring target by the monitoring device 130.

  When the monitoring configuration of the target network device specified by user B is one of the monitoring network devices by the monitoring device 130, the overall management manager 604 creates an instruction command for the target monitoring device 130 and stores the management information Stored in the unit 606. When the remote management service server 150 receives an instruction command inquiry communication from the target monitoring device 130, the remote management service server 150 issues an instruction command in response thereto.

<Operation example of monitoring device software of this embodiment>
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Based on the above configuration, an example of the operation of the monitoring device software of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 7 shows a process from when the user of the monitoring device 130 executes an operation for putting the network device under monitoring in the UI control unit 501, until the remote management service server 150 normally monitors the network device. It is a flowchart showing. A program for realizing the processing of this flowchart is stored in one of the storage units of the ROM 403 and the storage device 408 shown in FIG. 4, expanded in the RAM 404 as necessary, and executed by the CPU 402. The process of the flowchart shown here shows the process of the monitoring device software shown in FIG.

In FIG. 7, when the program is called by the user A instructing the network device monitoring start operation from the UI control unit 501 of the monitoring device 130, the processing shown in the flowchart is started. The monitoring device program confirms whether or not the monitoring device 130 can communicate with the remote management service server 150 in step S701. In this process, when the UI control unit 501 that has received an instruction to start monitoring from the user A transmits an input instruction to the overall management manager 502, the overall management manager 502 sends the remote management service server 150 to the remote management service server 150 via the device communication management unit 507. Determine whether communication is possible.
If the monitoring device 130 is not in a state where it can communicate with the remote management service server 150 in step S701, the process proceeds to step S702.

  In step S702, the UI control unit 501 displays a message for the user A so that the network setting is correctly set so that the user A can communicate with the remote management service server 150. After displaying the message in step S702, the process proceeds to step S703.

  In step S703, the monitoring device 130 executes a series of processes for receiving correct information such as a network address and proxy settings from the user. The accepted settings are stored where they should be stored. Detailed description is omitted here. When the network setting information update is received from the user in step S703, the process proceeds to step S701.

  If the monitoring apparatus 130 confirms that communication with the remote management service server 150 is possible in step 701, the process proceeds to step S704. In step S704, the overall management manager 502 acquires a list of network devices to be monitored from the monitoring information storage unit 504. Then, the presence / absence of a monitoring target network device for which monitoring setting has not been completed is determined. If it is determined in step S704 that there is a monitoring target network device for which monitoring setting has not yet been completed, the monitoring apparatus 130 advances the processing to step S705.

  In step S705, the overall management manager 502 collects function information from the target network device via the device setting instruction management unit 507. The function information here includes product name, firmware version information, monitoring module software version information, and the like. The acquired information is correlated with the network device identification information and the network address information stored in the monitoring information storage unit 504 by the overall management manager 502, and is then associated with the monitoring information storage unit. Stored in. If the device information of the monitoring target network device is acquired in step S705, the process proceeds to step S706.

  In step S706, the overall management manager 502 determines whether or not it has a self-monitoring function and can be activated via the network from the acquired function information of the network device. . For example, if the monitoring module is already installed, it can be determined that the self-monitoring function is provided. If the monitoring module has been installed, it can be determined whether the monitoring module can be remotely activated based on, for example, identification information (for example, product ID and version) of the monitoring module. If the overall management manager 502 determines in step S706 that the target network device does not have the self-monitoring function or cannot be activated via the network, the process proceeds to step S707.

  In step S707, the overall management manager 502 determines that the monitoring method of the target network device is to be performed by polling, and creates a setting for periodically acquiring monitoring information for the network device according to a predetermined schedule. . This setting includes, for example, the address of a network device to be polled, time information such as a polling time interval, and content information such as an item of monitoring information to be requested by polling. In addition, the monitoring network device is registered with respect to the target network device via the device setting instruction management unit 507. Specifically, this is a process of registering in advance in the target network device so that event occurrence information is transmitted to a specific address when a service call error occurs in the network device, such as an SNMP trap. As a result, when a problem occurs in the network device to be monitored, the event is received by the monitoring device 130, and the failure occurrence information can be notified to the user almost in real time. Here, SNMP traps have been described as an example, but automatic notification of events may be performed using functions unique to each company. In step S707, when preparation for polling the monitoring method of the network device to be monitored is completed, the process proceeds to step S704.

  On the other hand, if the overall management manager 502 finds in step S706 that the target network device has a self-monitoring function and can activate the self-monitoring function via the network, the process proceeds to step S708.

  In step S708, the overall management manager 502 determines from the setting information acquired together with the function information acquired in step S706 whether the proxy server is set in the network device to be monitored. If it is determined in step S708 that a proxy server has been set for the network device to be monitored, the process proceeds to step S709.

  In step S709, the overall management manager 502 enables the self-monitoring function by giving priority to the setting of the proxy server already set in the network device. For this purpose, the overall management manager 502 issues an instruction via the network device setting instruction management unit 507. When the overall management manager 502 issues a validation instruction to the target network device, the process proceeds to step S710.

  In step S710, the overall management manager 502 confirms by directly inquiring whether the self-monitoring function of the target network device has been successfully activated. If it is confirmed in step S710 that the self-monitoring function of the network device has been successfully validated without any problem, the process proceeds to step S704 via A on the flowchart.

  If it is found in step S708 that the proxy server has not been set for the target network device, or if it is found in step S710 that the self-monitoring function of the network device has failed, the process proceeds to step S711. .

  In step S711, the overall management manager 502 determines in the proxy process control unit 505 whether the proxy process has already been started. If the overall management manager 502 determines in step S711 that the Proxy process is not running in the monitoring apparatus 130, the process proceeds to step S712.

  In step S712, the overall management manager 502 issues a proxy process start instruction to the proxy process control unit 505, and the monitoring apparatus 130 enables the proxy server function. When the Proxy process is started in step S712, the process proceeds to step S713.

  If it is determined in step S711 that the Proxy process has already started, the process proceeds to step S713. In step S713, the overall management manager 502 issues a network setting change instruction for causing the target network device to set the network address of the monitoring device 130 itself as the proxy server address. In addition to this instruction, an instruction for enabling the self-monitoring function of the target network device is issued. After issuing the proxy server address setting instruction and the self-monitoring function validation instruction, the process proceeds to step S714.

  In step S714, the overall management manager 502 determines whether or not the self-monitoring function of the target network device has been successfully validated by directly inquiring the target network device. If it is confirmed in step S714 that the self-monitoring function of the network device has been successfully validated without any problem, the process proceeds to step S704 via A on the flowchart. If it is found in step S714 that the network device self-monitoring function has failed to be activated, the process proceeds to step S715.

  In step S715, the overall management manager 502 determines that the monitoring method of the target network device is to be performed by polling, and creates a setting for periodically acquiring monitoring information for the network device according to a predetermined schedule. . In addition, the monitoring network device is registered with respect to the target network device via the device setting instruction management unit 507. These are the same as step S707 and may branch to step S707. In step S715, when the setting for monitoring the network device by the polling method is completed, the process proceeds to step S704 via A on the flowchart.

  On the other hand, if the overall management manager 502 confirms in step S704 that there are no monitoring target network devices for which monitoring setting has not been completed, the process advances to step S716. In step S716, the overall management manager 502 transmits a network device list to be monitored together with a communication test signal to the remote monitoring service 150. Here, when the monitoring device 130 transmits the network device list under monitoring to the remote management service server 150, the remote management service server 150 grasps the configuration of the network device to be monitored. That is, the remote management service server 150 knows the network device list under the management of the monitoring device 130.

  When the communication test process to the remote management service server 150 is completed in step S716, the setting process for registering the network device under monitoring is completed. The processing described in this flowchart may be implemented so that the UI control unit 501 can collectively instruct with a button such as “communication test” or “monitoring start”.

  According to the above procedure, the monitoring device 130 monitors the device by setting either monitoring using the monitoring module of the network device or monitoring by polling according to the presence or absence of the self-monitoring function of the network device. Can do. That is, the monitoring apparatus 130 can manage a plurality of network devices that employ different monitoring forms as monitoring targets.

  Further, when the network device monitoring module is used, the network device is set to use the proxy server for accessing the Internet. In this way, even when access from the network device to the Internet beyond the firewall is restricted, it is possible to access the Internet via the proxy server. In particular, when the proxy server is not operating, the proxy function of the monitoring apparatus itself can be used as a proxy server so that it can be used with or without the proxy server.

<Sequence diagram of network device registration and monitoring start of this embodiment>
FIG. 8 shows the period from when the user of the monitoring device 130 performs an operation for putting the network device under monitoring in the user IF input / output control unit until the remote management service server 150 properly monitors the network device. It is a sequence diagram showing the process of. In FIG. 8, since the network device A does not have a monitoring module or cannot activate the self-monitoring function, it is a monitoring target by polling from the monitoring device 130. On the other hand, the network device B is a network device having a monitoring module and enabling the self-monitoring function by the monitoring module.

  In FIG. 8, the process is started when the user A instructs the monitoring apparatus 130 to perform a communication test to a plurality of monitoring target network devices via the user IF input / output control unit 501. The monitoring device 130 receives a communication test instruction from the user A in step S801. By receiving this instruction, the processing process of the monitoring device software is started. When this process is started, the function information acquisition communication process S802 is performed for each network device in the network device list. This communication process corresponds to the process of S705 in the flowchart of FIG. If the network device for which the function information is to be acquired has the function of a monitoring module, the information including the content that the network device B has the function of the self-monitoring module through the communication of S803, which is the response of S802 Is provided.

  Upon receiving the response information of S802, the monitoring device 130 starts up a Proxy process in the monitoring device 130 if necessary. Next, the monitoring device 130 transmits an instruction to set the monitoring device 130 as a proxy server and an instruction to start the monitoring module to the network device B as S804.

  The proxy server setting instruction and the monitoring module activation instruction here do not have to be the same timing. Receiving the proxy server setting instruction and the monitoring module activation instruction, network device B uses the proxy server setting instructed in step S804 for the remote management service server 150 to perform a communication test S805 on the remote management service server 150. Send. Upon receiving the OK response S806 from the remote management service server 150, the network device B stores the setting value of the Proxy server instructed in S804 in a nonvolatile storage area. The network device B that has completed the communication test with the remote management service server 150 enables the monitoring function of the self-monitoring module and enters the monitoring state. Then, after entering the monitoring state, the network device B returns an OK response to the monitoring device 130 to S807 as a response of S804.

  The monitoring device 130 that has received the OK response in S807 transmits function information acquisition S808 to another network device that is not under the monitoring. The content transmitted here is the same as that acquired in S802. A function information response is returned from network device A as S809. Here, when it is found that the self-monitoring module is not set in the network device A, the monitoring device 130 decides to monitor the network device A by polling and performs setting for that purpose. Here, when it is found that all the network devices set to be monitored are under monitoring, the monitoring device 130 finally transmits a communication test S810 to the remote management service server 150. When transmitting the communication test, the monitoring device 130 transmits a list of network devices under the monitoring of the monitoring device 130 to the remote management service server 150. Here, the remote management service server 150 is notified that the transmission destination of the instruction command to the target network device is the monitoring device 130 by transmitting the network device list monitored by the monitoring device 130.

  The monitoring information such as device information and device status collected by polling is periodically transmitted from the monitoring device 130 to the remote management service server 150, for example. The network device to be monitored having a monitoring module periodically sends a command inquiry to the remote management service server 150 according to the setting, for example, and polls the command. If there is an instruction to be transmitted, the remote management service server 150 transmits it, and collects, for example, monitoring information responded from the network device accordingly.

  The sequence here shows the processing sequence when registering a new network device, but the same processing is performed when a new network device is newly added during monitoring. A new network device can be added through the sequence described above from the instruction of the communication test S801 from the user A.

  With the above configuration and procedure, the monitoring system of the present embodiment can realize device monitoring using a higher monitoring function according to the function of the network device to be monitored. Furthermore, by providing the proxy server function by the monitoring device, the higher monitoring function can be utilized even when the network connection is limited. In this example, the monitoring using the monitoring module is assumed to have a higher function than the monitoring by polling. For network devices that can use the monitoring module, the network device is set to perform monitoring using the monitoring module. Thereby, as described above, higher functions of the monitoring module can be utilized. On the other hand, even if there are network devices that cannot install the monitoring module, they can be monitored by polling.

[Second Embodiment]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In the first embodiment so far, the technology for providing a route for transferring the monitoring information from the network device to the remote management service server 150 has been described. In the first embodiment, the self-monitoring module in each network device is activated. Here, the self-monitoring module in the network device has not only a function of transmitting network device monitoring information to the remote management service server 150 but also a function of issuing an instruction command inquiry to the remote management service server 150. . By issuing an inquiry by the self-monitoring module, it is possible to instruct various setting changes from the remote management service server 150. In the second embodiment, a characteristic realization method of the inquiry of the instruction command in consideration of the communication load in the case of adopting the configuration in the first embodiment will be described.

<Network device software processing example>
Normally, in a network environment of a customer where the monitoring device 130 is not installed, the network device monitoring module is enabled from the LUI (local UI) of the network device. When the self-monitoring module is enabled from the LUI, normal network device monitoring information is transmitted to the remote management service server 150. Further, inquiry communication of an instruction command for confirming whether there is an instruction command from the remote management service server 150 is periodically or eventally polled.

  In the case of the second embodiment, the monitoring module of the network device is instructed and started from the monitoring device 130 via the network. In this case, since the instruction device inquiry is collectively performed by the monitoring device 130, the monitoring module of the network device does not perform polling for the instruction command inquiry.

  The timing at which the network device makes an instruction command inquiry is only when the monitoring device 130 issues an “instruction command inquiry call instruction” to the network device.

<Example of software processing of remote management service server 150>
In FIG. 6, the software module configuration and processing when user B issues an instruction command have been described. Here, a processing example of the remote management service server 150 according to the second embodiment will be described. When the monitoring device 130 is installed in the customer network as a network device management mode, the remote management service server 150 issues an instruction command to a specific network device via the monitoring device 130. However, if the monitoring device 130 relays each instruction issued to a specific network device to interpret the instruction command, manage the processing status, and manage the processing result, the processing of the monitoring device 130 becomes complicated. Therefore, when the remote management service server 150 issues an instruction command to a specific network device managed by the monitoring device 130, the remote management service server 150 issues an instruction command inquiry call instruction to the monitoring device 130. The instruction command from the remote management service server 150 is transmitted in response to a command inquiry from the network device to be monitored. An instruction command inquiry call instruction is an instruction for causing a network device to transmit a command inquiry. Upon receiving this instruction command inquiry call instruction, the monitoring device 130 instructs the target network device to issue an instruction command inquiry to the remote management service server 150. When the self-monitoring module is operating in the specific network device, when the inquiry of the instruction command is received, the instruction of the instruction command is issued to the remote management service server 150. Thus, for example, the polling of the instruction periodically performed on the remote management service server 150 is from the monitoring device 130. Polling from the network device is when there is an inquiry call to the device, and the load of communication addition and the remote management service server 150 is reduced.

  For example, when user B issues an instruction to a specific network device, the remote management service server 150 executes the following processing. User B searches the network device list to be issued from the list of network devices to be managed. At this time, the query for searching for the network device received by the user IF input control unit 607 is transmitted to the management information input / output unit 605 via the overall management manager 604. The management information input / output unit 605 that has received the query for specifying the target network device specifies the network device that matches the condition from the management information storage unit 606 and returns it as a response. The network device information that is the query result is presented to the user B via the user IF input / output unit 607. If the network device is a network device that is the target of issuing instructions, the user B selects and sets an instruction command to be issued from the screen UI that displays an instruction list that can be issued. The overall management manager 604 that has received this setting via the user IF input / output control unit 607 acquires the monitoring configuration of the network device via the management information input / output unit 605.

  When the monitoring configuration of the target network device instructed by the user B is a method in which an instruction command inquiry by the remote management device 130 is performed as a proxy, the remote management service overall management manager 604 creates two instructions and creates management information. Store in the storage unit 606. One is an instruction command for the monitoring device 130, and this instruction command is an instruction command inquiry call instruction for causing the target network device to issue an instruction command. The other is an instruction command issued by user B, which is issued as a response when the target network device executes an instruction command inquiry.

<Operation example of monitoring device software according to the second embodiment>
Based on the above configuration, an example of the operation of the monitoring device software according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the process from when the monitoring device 130 issues an instruction command inquiry to the remote management service server 150 until the instruction command inquiry is issued to the monitored network device to complete the process. is there. The processing in this flowchart is stored in either the storage unit of the ROM 403 or the storage device 408 shown in FIG. 4, expanded in the RAM 404 as necessary, and executed by the CPU 402. The process of the flowchart shown here shows the process of the monitoring device software shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 9, when an instruction command inquiry process is called by a timer or an event trigger, the process shown in the flowchart is started. In step S901, the monitoring apparatus program issues an instruction command inquiry to the remote management service server 150 via the device communication management unit 507. When the general management manager 502 executes the inquiry of the instruction command, the process proceeds to step S902.

  In step S902, the overall management manager determines whether or not an instruction command is included in the response from the remote management service server 150. If there is no instruction command from the remote management service server 150, the process proceeds to step S903.

  In step S903, the overall management manager 502 waits until the next instruction command inquiry issuance schedule or the instruction command inquiry processing issuance conditions are met. When the next instruction command inquiry issuance condition is met, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S901.

  If the overall management manager 502 confirms that the instruction command is included in the response from the remote management service server 150 in step S902, the process proceeds to step S904.

  In step S904, since the status management unit 506 has received a new instruction command, a database record for managing the status of the instruction command is created in the monitoring information storage unit 504 via the overall management manager 502. For example, the record created here is shown in FIG. The record includes a reception date / time, an instruction ID, a target ID, a status, a code, an update date / time, and the number of repetitions. In the created record, a reception date and time, an instruction ID, and an update date and time are set. The reception date and time is the date and time when the instruction command is received. The instruction ID is identification information of the instruction command, and may be a value assigned by the monitoring device 130, for example. The update date and time is updated every time the record is updated, but the initial value may be the same as the reception date and time. No fixed values are set in the other fields, and for example, appropriate initial values may be assigned.

  When the status management unit 506 issues a record for managing the instruction command in step S904, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S905. In step S905, the overall management manager 502 confirms the destination that is the execution target of the instruction command. If the destination of the instruction command is addressed to its own monitoring device 130, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S906.

  In step S906, the overall management manager 502 executes the instructed command. Then, the process proceeds to step S907. In step S907, the status management unit 506 updates the record created in step S904 in order to record that execution of the instruction command has started. An example of the record is shown in FIG. The identification information of the newly executed device is set in the target ID field, the executed command is set in the command field, the execution state of the command is set in the status field, and the update date / time is updated with the current date / time. In the example of FIG. 11B, the target ID is “monitoring apparatus A”, the command is “schedule change instruction”, and the status is “executing”.

  When the record is updated in step S907, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S908. In step S908, the overall management manager 502 confirms the execution result of the instruction command. If the result of the instruction command is successful and complete, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S909.

  In step S909, the status management unit 506 updates the record created in step S904 in order to record that the result of the instruction command has succeeded without any problem. The updated record is shown in FIG. In this example, the status is rewritten from “running” to “success”. When the record is updated in step S909, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S910.

  In step S910, the overall management manager 502 performs an instruction command result notification process via the device communication management unit 507 in order to notify the remote management service server 150 that the instruction command has been successfully completed. When the instruction command result notification process is completed, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S913.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S908 that the result of the instruction command has failed and ended for some reason, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S911.

  In step S911, the status management unit 506 updates the record created in step S904 in order to record that the result of the instruction command is failure and the result code at that time. FIG. 11D shows the record. Information indicating “failure” is recorded in the status, and a result code indicating the reason for failure is recorded in the code. When the record is updated in step S911, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S912.

  In step S912, the overall management manager 502 performs instruction command result notification processing via the device communication management unit 507 in order to notify the remote management service server 150 that the instruction command has failed and the result code. When the instruction command result notification process is completed, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S913.

  In step S913, the status management unit 506 notifies the remote management service server 150 of the result of the instruction command and completes all the processing, so the record created in step S904 is updated and the processing of the monitoring device 130 is completed. To do.

  If the destination of the instruction command is not addressed to the monitoring device 130 itself in step S905, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S914.

  In step S914, the overall management manager 150 determines whether or not the destination that is the execution destination of the instruction command exists in the network device list that is monitored by the management apparatus 130. Further, it is determined whether or not this instruction command is “instruction command inquiry call instruction”. As a result, when the destination of the instruction command is the network device monitored by the management apparatus 130 and the instruction command is “instruction command inquiry call instruction”, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S915. .

  In step S915, the status management unit 506 determines that the destination of the instruction command is the network device to be monitored and confirms the contents of the instruction command. Therefore, in order to update the status, the status management unit 506 updates the record created in step S904. FIG. 11E shows an example of the updated record. The destination ID “network device A” is written in the target ID, and “instruction command inquiry call instruction” is written in the command. The value of the command field may be identification information indicating a command, for example. When the record is updated in step S915, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S916.

  In step S916, the overall management manager 502 issues an “instruction command inquiry call instruction” to the target network device. The network device that has received this “instruction command inquiry call instruction” is the network device in which the self-monitoring module described in the first embodiment is operating. Upon receiving this instruction, the network device issues an instruction command inquiry to the remote management service server 150. In step S916, when the overall management manager 502 issues a “instruction command inquiry call instruction” to the target network device, the process proceeds to step S917.

  In step S917, the overall management manager 502 determines whether or not the “instruction command inquiry call instruction” issued in step S916 has succeeded. “Instruction command inquiry call instruction” fails because the target network device is temporarily turned off because the target network device is powered off, in power saving mode, or not connected to the network. Includes cases that do not reach it. On the other hand, when the command reaches the target network device and the command processing fails as a result of executing the command, it is determined in step S917 that the command has succeeded. If the “instruction command inquiry call instruction” is successful in step S917, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S918.

  In step S918, the status management unit 506 updates the record created in step S904 to record that the “instruction command inquiry call instruction” has succeeded. An example is shown in FIG. “Success” is written in the status field of the record in FIG. For example, when a reception confirmation of “instruction command inquiry call instruction” is received from the target network device, it can be determined that this has succeeded. When the record is updated in step S918, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S919.

  In step S919, the overall management manager 502 performs instruction command result notification processing via the device communication management unit 507 in order to notify the remote management service server 150 that the instruction command has been successfully transferred to the target network device. When the execution result of the instruction command from the target network device is received, the contents of the execution result may be included in the instruction command result notification notified to the remote management service server 150. When the instruction command result notification process is completed, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S913.

  In step S917, if the “instruction command inquiry call instruction” fails because the network device is powered off, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S920.

  In step S920, the status management unit 506 updates the record created in step S904 in order to record that the “instruction command inquiry call instruction” has failed. Here, it is also recorded in the record how many times the “instruction command inquiry call instruction” has failed. An example is shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 12B, the failure has not yet been confirmed, the status is “reprocessing”, and the number of attempts to call the instruction command is recorded as the number of repetitions. When the record is updated in step S918, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S921.

  In step S921, the status management unit 506 checks whether or not “instruction command inquiry call instruction” has failed a certain number of times (for example, 10 times). If the “instruction command inquiry call instruction” has failed for a certain number of times, the process proceeds to step S922. The number of repetitions may refer to the number of repetitions recorded in the record.

  In step S922, the status management unit 506 updates the record created in step S904 in order to record that the “instruction command inquiry call instruction” has failed a certain number of times. An example is shown in FIG. At this stage, no further retries are performed, the status becomes “failure” and the code is recorded in order to confirm the failure. When the record is updated in step S922, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S923.

  In step S923, the overall management manager 502 performs an instruction command result notification process via the device communication management unit 507 in order to notify the remote management service server 150 that the instruction command transfer to the target network device has failed. When the instruction command result notification process is completed, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S913.

  In step S921, if the failure of the “instruction command inquiry call instruction” has not reached the predetermined number of times, the process enters the retransmission process after a predetermined period. Then, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to Step S915.

  In step S914, if the target of the instruction command does not exist in the monitored network device list of the monitoring device 130, or if the instruction command is not “instruction command inquiry call instruction”, overall management is performed. The manager 502 advances the process to step S924.

  In step S924, the status management unit 506 updates the record created in step S904 in order to record that the network device that is the destination of the instruction command is not the network device to be monitored by the monitoring apparatus 130. An example is shown in FIG. The reason for the failure is recorded in the code column, for example. If the reason for the failure is that the instruction command is not “instruction command inquiry call instruction”, the identification information of the instructed command is recorded in the command field, and information indicating this is provided as a code. To be recorded. When the record is updated in step S924, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S925.

  In step S925, the overall management manager 502 performs an instruction command result notification process via the device communication management unit 507 in order to notify the remote management service server 150 that the instruction command has failed. When the instruction command result notification process is completed, the overall management manager 502 advances the process to step S913.

  With the above procedure, the monitoring device 130 makes an instruction command inquiry to the remote management service server 150, for example, periodically. In response, the remote management service server 150 can send an instruction command to be issued to the target device, if any. If the instruction command to be transmitted is an “instruction command inquiry call instruction” and the destination is a network device to be managed, the monitoring device 130 transfers the command to the destination network device, and sends “ An instruction command inquiry ”can be transmitted to the remote management service server 150. In this way, the monitoring device 130 acts as a proxy for the remote management service server 150 and issues a query from each of the monitored network devices as necessary, thereby reducing traffic and the remote management service server 150. Can reduce the load. Moreover, the instruction from the remote management service server 150 can be obtained in a timely manner according to the polling interval. Furthermore, various monitoring information can be obtained by utilizing the function of the monitoring module installed in the network device. Note that for network devices in which the monitoring module is not installed, monitoring information is obtained by polling the devices for the devices as in the first embodiment.

<Sequence diagram when issuing command command to network device of this embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing processing from when the user of the remote management service server 150 issues a “change communication schedule” instruction to a specific network device until the communication schedule of the specific network device is changed. It is. In FIG. 10, the monitoring device 130 monitors a plurality of network devices.

  The monitoring device 130 performs an instruction command inquiry communication S1001 to the remote management service server 150 on behalf of the plurality of network devices being monitored. The sequence diagram of FIG. 10 starts from communication S1001 for inquiring about an instruction command transmitted by the monitoring device 130. At the time of communication of an instruction command inquiry in S1001, a specific instruction has not yet been issued to the remote management service server 150 by the user. For this reason, a response of S1002 without an instruction command is returned in response to the inquiry command inquiry communication.

  Thereafter, the user B issues a communication schedule change instruction S1003 to the network device B under the control of the self-monitoring module via the user IF input / output control unit 607. Upon receiving the communication schedule change instruction, the remote management service server 150 acquires the monitoring device configuration of the network device B from the device management information storage unit 606 and confirms it.

  Since the network device B is a network device that has performed a direct communication test, the remote management service server 150 knows that the self-monitoring module is operating in the network device B. Actually, the remote management service server 150 grasps the monitoring configuration by receiving the communication test. Further, the identifier of the network device B is included in the network device list transmitted in the communication test from the monitoring device 130 thereafter. From this, the remote management service server 150 knows that the monitoring device 130 is carrying out the inquiry command inquiry communication while the target network device is running the self-monitoring module.

  From this device monitoring configuration, the remote management service server 150 prepares a “schedule change instruction” as an instruction command addressed to the network device B. Further, preparation is made to issue “instruction command inquiry call instruction to network device B” as an instruction command addressed to the monitoring device 130. When ready to issue these instruction commands, the remote management service server 150 returns a response S1004 indicating that the instruction is accepted to the user B.

  Next, the monitoring device 130 transmits an instruction command inquiry S1005 to the remote management service server 150 on behalf of the plurality of network devices. Since the remote management service server 150 is provided with an instruction command addressed to the target monitoring device 130, the remote management service server 150 sends a “call instruction for an inquiry of an instruction command of the network device B” in communication S1006. Issue. Upon receiving the response S1006 from the remote management service server 150, the monitoring device 130 issues an “instruction command inquiry call instruction” S1007 to the network device B connected to the customer network.

  When an OK response S1008 is returned from the network device B, the monitoring device 130 transmits a “completion” notification S1009 as a processing result to the remote management service server 150.

  When the remote management service server 150 receives the “completion” notification S1009, the remote management service server 150 recognizes that the “call instruction for the inquiry command of the network device B command” has been safely issued to the network device B, and monitors the OK response S1010 as a response. Return to device 130.

If the monitoring device 130 issues an instruction to the network device B, if there is a case where communication is not possible because the power of the network device B is OFF, retransmission for a certain period is attempted.
For example, the network device B is tried to “call instruction command inquiry” up to 10 times per hour. If communication is not possible, “instruction command inquiry call instruction to network device B” is notified as “failure” in the processing result notification of S1009.

  The device B that has received the “instruction command inquiry call instruction” in S1007 issues an instruction command inquiry S1011 to the remote management service server 150. The remote management service server 150 that has received the inquiry of the instruction command returns the “schedule change instruction for the network device B” which has been instructed from the user B, in addition to the response S1012 to S1011. Receiving the schedule change instruction in S1012, device B executes the schedule change process, and transmits the execution result to the remote management service server 150 as “process result notification” S1013. When receiving the processing result, the remote management service server 150 returns an OK response to the network device B as a response S1014. Thereafter, the user B confirms the result of the schedule change instruction instructed to the network device B in S1003 in S1015. The remote management service server 150 returns the instruction result received in S1013 to the user B as a processing result S1016.

  After a certain period of time, the monitoring device 130 transmits an instruction command inquiry S1017 to the remote management service server 150 as regular communication.

  At this time, since the instruction command is not set again, the remote management service server 150 returns no instruction S1018.

  As described above, also in this embodiment, a command inquiry can be issued from each network device to the remote management service server, and a command can be received accordingly. You can change the settings. The monitoring information may also be configured so as not to be directly transmitted from each network device to the remote management service server, but to be temporarily transmitted to the monitoring device 130 and stored, and then transmitted to the remote management service server. In addition, for example, a network device issues a command query, changes settings according to instructions from the remote management service server, or sends monitoring information. It may be impossible to transmit the monitored information in a timely manner. Therefore, instead of command inquiry, a command request may be transmitted from the network device to the remote management service server 150. In this case, the remote management service server 150 transmits a command inquiry call to the transmission source device. This allows the network device to take the initiative and send information to the remote management service server.

[Other Examples]
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

100 Image forming device, 120 terminal, 130 Monitoring device, 131 Business server, 132 Firewall, 133 Proxy server, 140 Internet, 150 Remote management service server, 151 Other information service

Claims (18)

A monitoring device that collects monitoring information from network devices connected via a network and transmits the monitoring information to a device management system on an external network,
A collection means for collecting functional information of the network device to be monitored;
Based on the function information, when it is determined that the network device has a self-monitoring function of collecting monitoring information of the network device and transmitting the monitoring information to an external network, the network device Setting connection information to the proxy server function of the monitoring device for communicating with the network, and enabling means for enabling the self-monitoring function of the network device,
The network device in which the self-monitoring function is validated transmits monitoring information to the device management system via a proxy server function of the monitoring device. The monitoring device according to claim 1,
When the network device is determined to have the self-monitoring function and the proxy device is not set in the network device, the enabling unit is configured to perform the proxy server function of the monitoring device. After setting connection information in the network device, the self-monitoring function of the network device is enabled,
When it is determined that the network device has the self-monitoring function and the setting related to the proxy server has already been performed on the network device, connection information to the proxy server function of the monitoring device is displayed. A monitoring apparatus that enables the self-monitoring function of a network device without setting the network device. The monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2,
When it is determined that the network device does not have the self-monitoring function based on the function information, connection information to the proxy server function of the monitoring device is not set in the network device, and the device management A monitoring apparatus, wherein the monitoring information to be transmitted to the system is acquired by requesting the network device from the monitoring apparatus. The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the validation of the self-monitoring function of the network device by the validation means fails, the monitoring information to be transmitted to the device management system is acquired by requesting the network device from the monitoring device. A monitoring device characterized by. The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Transmitting means for transmitting an inquiry of an instruction command to the device management system;
The monitoring apparatus further comprising: a transfer unit that receives an instruction command for the inquiry and, when the target of the instruction command is the network device, transfers the instruction command to the network device. The monitoring device according to claim 5,
When the transfer of the instruction command to the network device fails, the transfer unit transfers the instruction command to the network device until the transfer is successful or until the transfer fails a predetermined number of times. A monitoring device characterized by that. The monitoring device according to claim 5 or 6,
The monitoring apparatus further comprising a notification unit that notifies the device management system that the transfer of the instruction command to the network device is successful when the transfer by the transfer unit is successful . The monitoring device according to claim 7,
The monitoring device, wherein the notification means further includes a result of execution of the instruction command in the network device in the notification. The monitoring device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein
When the transfer by the transfer unit fails, the notification unit performs a notification indicating that the transfer of the instruction command to the network device has failed to the device management system. . A monitoring device according to any one of claims 5 to 9,
The monitoring apparatus further comprising an execution unit that receives an instruction command for the inquiry and executes the instruction command when a target of the instruction command is a monitoring apparatus. A monitoring device capable of communicating with a device management system on an external network,
A management unit that manages a plurality of network devices including a network device that transmits monitoring information to the device management system via a proxy server function of the monitoring device;
Transmitting means for transmitting an inquiry of an instruction command to the device management system;
Execution means for receiving an instruction command for the inquiry and executing the instruction command when a target of the instruction command is a monitoring device;
When the instruction command for the inquiry is received, and the target of the instruction command is a network device included in the monitoring target, it has transfer means for transferring the instruction command to the network device. Monitoring device. The monitoring device according to claim 11, comprising:
When the transfer of the instruction command to the network device fails, the transfer unit transfers the instruction command to the network device until the transfer is successful or until the transfer fails a predetermined number of times. A monitoring device characterized by that. The monitoring device according to claim 11 or 12,
The monitoring device characterized in that the transmission means periodically transmits the inquiry to the device management system. A monitoring device according to any one of claims 11 to 13,
Among the monitoring targets by the management means, for the network management device for a network device different from the network device for transmitting monitoring information to the device management system via the proxy server function of the monitoring device. And a requesting means for requesting monitoring information to be transmitted. A method in a monitoring apparatus that collects monitoring information from network devices connected via a network and transmits the monitoring information to a device management system on an external network,
A collection process for collecting functional information of monitored network devices;
Based on the function information, when it is determined that the network device has a self-monitoring function of collecting monitoring information of the network device and transmitting the monitoring information to an external network, the network device Setting connection information to the proxy server function of the monitoring device for communicating with the network, and enabling the self-monitoring function of the network device,
The network device in which the self-monitoring function is validated transmits monitoring information to the device management system via a proxy server function of the monitoring device. A method in a monitoring device capable of communicating with a device management system on an external network,
A management step of managing a plurality of network devices including a network device that transmits monitoring information to the device management system via a proxy server function of the monitoring device as a monitoring target;
A transmission step of transmitting an instruction command inquiry to the device management system;
When receiving an instruction command for the inquiry, and the target of the instruction command is a monitoring device, an execution step of executing the instruction command;
A transfer step of receiving an instruction command for the inquiry and transferring the instruction command to the network device when the target of the instruction command is a network device included in the monitoring target; Method.   The program for functioning a computer as a means as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 10.   The program for functioning a computer as a means as described in any one of Claims 11 thru | or 14.

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