JP2022142503A - Network management device, initial setting method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a management device for simultaneously initializing a plurality of agent devices connected to a network.SOLUTION: When a management device (management software) receives an agent device search instruction from an operator, the management device sends an agent device response instruction to an agent device targeted for network setting from among a plurality of agent devices, and when the management device receives an agent device response from the agent device, the management device sends network information presented by the operator to the agent device, and when the management device receives a network setting completion response from the agent device, the management device receives a network setting completion response from the agent device, the management device sends a discovery function stop instruction to the agent device, and confirms the network setting connection of the agent device after a predetermined time has elapsed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a network management device, an initial setting method, and a program for a network to which a plurality of information processing devices (agent devices) are connected.

2. Description of the Related Art It is necessary to perform initial settings in order to operate a plurality of information processing apparatuses (eg, servers, clients, terminals, etc.) connected to a network under a predetermined environment. Patent Literature 1 discloses an initial setting system for setting network information from a client device to a consoleless server device using UDP (User Datagram Protocol) communication. Address and MAC (Media Access Control) address are stored, and the client device UDP-broadcasts an automatic discovery request, and if the machine address of the response is the same as the MAC address, the machine name of the server device is set as unset. Show server list. After that, the user selects a server device whose machine name has not been set and resets the machine name and IP address. Patent Literature 2 discloses an incident management system that shortens incident resolution time by automatically setting criteria for determining similar failures and registering failure cases. The incident management system registers the failure information in the incident information table when the failure information of the monitoring target device matches the parent incident failure case information, or when the failure information matches the child incident failure case information. Patent Literature 3 discloses a network connection program for automatically setting a fixed IP address to an information processing apparatus connected to an MFP (Multifunctional Peripheral) such as a digital multi-function peripheral via a LAN (Local Area Network). When the information processing apparatus is first connected to the LAN, it acquires a link local address, performs broadcast communication, detects the MFP, acquires a private address that can be used on the LAN from the network setting information of the MFP, and then sets the address of the own apparatus. Set as an IP address.

JP-A-2004-206223 JP 2014-119982 A JP 2014-216691 A

In Patent Document 1, UDP broadcast is used to perform initial settings between a client device and a server device. Duplication causes packet loss. In this case, it is conceivable to prevent the occurrence of packet loss by providing a waiting time to suppress interference between agent devices, but initial setting for a plurality of agent devices takes time. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200003 does not configure to perform initial settings for a plurality of agent devices at the same time. Patent Document 2 classifies and manages failure information (database deadlock, access failure, virus check, etc.) of monitored equipment into parent incident failure cases and child incident failure cases. It does not perform initial settings for both at the same time. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200003 assumes a digital color multifunction peripheral in which a link local address and a private address are set. It acquires the setting value of the address and sets the usable private address as the IP address of its own device. Since the information processing device automatically sets the IP address for itself, there is no problem if the number of information devices connected to a network such as a home network is small, but there are many information devices such as ICT (Information and Communication Technology) systems. In this case, since IP addresses are also managed as part of system operation management, IP addresses cannot be appropriately set by automatic setting as described above, and network management cannot be performed properly. Also, initial settings are not performed simultaneously for a plurality of devices connected to a network.

Also, in order to perform initial settings for various devices connected to the network, the terminals are connected one-to-one to the target devices, and the initial settings are performed. For this reason, when performing initial settings for multiple devices at the same time, it is necessary to perform the initial settings one by one. Initial settings take time, and mistakes in initial settings can lead to poor connection of devices to the network. must be prevented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a network management device, an initial setting method, and a program that solve the above problems.

A first aspect of the present invention is a management device connected to a plurality of agent devices via a network. When receiving an agent device search instruction from the operator, the management device sends an agent device response instruction to the agent device for network setting among a plurality of agent devices, and receives an agent device response from the agent device. The presented network information is sent to the agent device, and when a network setting completion response is received from the agent device, an instruction to stop the discovery function is sent to the agent device, and after a predetermined time has passed, the network setting connection of the agent device is confirmed.

A second aspect of the present invention is an initial setting method for initializing a plurality of agent devices connected to a network. In the initial setting method, when an agent device search instruction is received from an operator, an agent device response instruction is sent to the agent device targeted for network setting among a plurality of agent devices, and when an agent device response is received from the agent device, the operator to the agent device, and when receiving a network setting completion response from the agent device, an instruction to stop the discovery function is sent to the agent device, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the network setting connection of the agent device is confirmed.

A third aspect of the present invention is a program implemented in a computer of a management device connected to a plurality of agent devices via a network. When the computer of the management device receives an agent device search instruction from the operator, the program sends an agent device response instruction to the agent device targeted for network setting among a plurality of agent devices; a processing step of sending network information presented by an operator to the agent device when an agent device response is received; and a processing step of sending a discovery function stop instruction to the agent device when a network setting completion response is received from the agent device. , after a predetermined period of time has passed, a process of checking the network setting connection of the agent device;

According to the present invention, when installing a network device, initial settings can be performed simultaneously for a plurality of devices, thereby shortening the initial setting time, reducing initial setting costs, and reducing initial setting errors. can.

1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of a network according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a network setting method according to one embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing a processing flow of a management server implemented in a network according to one embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing a processing flow of an agent device connected to a network according to one embodiment of the present invention; 4 shows a UDP layer data format of data communicated between a management server and an agent device in a network according to an embodiment of the present invention; 4 shows a data format of a discovery layer of data communicated between a management server and agent devices in a network according to one embodiment of the present invention; 4 shows a data format of a search UDP frame of data communicated between a management server and agent devices in a network according to one embodiment of the present invention; 4 shows a data format of a response UDP frame of data communicated between the management server and the agent device in the network according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a network setting method according to a modification of one embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration and functions of a network according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a network management device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure of a network management device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

A network management system and a network initialization method according to the present invention will be described in detail along with embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of a network according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system configuration shown in FIG. 1 includes a management server 10 installed with management software for network operation management, and a client 11 (for example, a personal computer or a terminal) connected to the management server 10 and operated by an operation manager or an operator. equipment, etc.).

Management server 10 is connected to network 20 . A plurality of information processing devices (for example, servers 30 and 31, storage devices (storages) 32 and 33, terminals 34, etc.) to be network-managed by the management server 10 are connected to the network 20 . Information processing devices (for example, servers 30 and 31, storages 32 and 33, terminals 34, etc.) managed by the management server 10 are collectively referred to as "agent devices."

A network setting according to an embodiment of the present invention is performed by a management server 10 in which management software is installed and a client 11 in which an operator performs network management operations. performed for The client 11 has a user interface (graphical user interface or command line interface) that allows operation of management software and reference to network management information.

As shown in FIG. 1, after the physical network connection between the management server 10 and the agent device is completed, network initial setting is started. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a network initialization method according to one embodiment of the present invention. The network initial setting method is implemented among the operator of the client 11, the management software installed in the management server 10, and the agent device. The sequence diagram of FIG. 2 shows a communication procedure related to network initial setting executed between the operation by the operator's client 11, the management software, and the agent device.

Next, the network setting method will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8. FIG. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the processing flow of management software. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the processing flow of the agent device. 5 to 8 show various data formats of data communicated between the management server 10 and the agent device when network settings are executed. Specifically, FIG. 5 shows the data format of the UDP (User Datagram Protocol) layer, FIG. 6 shows the data format of the discovery layer, FIG. 7 shows the data format of the Search UDP Frame, and FIG. 8 indicates the data format of a response UDP frame.

Specifically, the UDP layer in FIG. 5 is configured in units of 32 bits (4 bytes). (Destination Port), UDP packet transfer length (UDP Packet Length), UDP checksum value (UDP Check Sum), and data (Data). The discovery layer in FIG. 6 is configured in units of 32 bits (4 bytes), and two fields are set. The header field consists of the source MAC address and the destination MAC address. If the destination MAC address is unknown, all 32 bits are set to "1". (that is, four "F"s with all four bits set to "1" are set). Also, the header field includes frame type (Frame Type), reserved (Reserved), and data length (Data Length). As frame types, a search UDP frame sent from the management software to the agent device, a response UDP frame sent from the agent device to the management software, and a response UDP frame sent from the management software to the agent device. A configuration UDP frame and a data frame start UDP frame sent from the management software to the agent device are set. The data length (Date Length) indicates the length of the data area.

The search UDP frame in FIG. 7 has three fields. That is, the manager describes a character string for identifying the management software, for example, "NEC NETWORK MANAGER:". The version (VER) describes the revision information of the management software, for example, "REV.XXX..." is described. Parameter describes the maximum waiting time of the search UDP frame on the agent device side. By introducing this queuing, it becomes possible to respond to responses from a plurality of agent devices.

Four types of fields are set in the response UDP frame in FIG. That is, the inquiry describes the individual device information of the agent device, such as vendor information, device serial number, and individual device setting information. The number of ports (Port Count) describes the number of network ports installed in the agent device, and describes values from 1 to n (n is an integer equal to or greater than 2). The port number describes the network port number to which the agent device is responding. Further, network setting information is described in network ports (Network#1 to Network#n), and network information for network ports #1 to #n is described individually. Based on the information on the number of ports (Port Count), port number (Port Number), and network port (Network #n) above, the management software can determine the setting status of each port, the responding port number, and whether or not to respond to the agent device. Regardless of this, it is possible to grasp whether or not the network information has been set.

2 (steps S1 to S11), FIG. 3 (steps A1 to A7), and FIG. ) for a detailed description. First, an operator uses the client 11 to operate the management software of the management server 10, and instructs to search for agent devices connected to the network 20 (for example, servers 30, 31, storages 32, 33, terminals 34, etc.). (Fig. 2, S1 "agent device search instruction"). That is, the management software issues the search UDP frame of FIG. 7 (FIG. 3, A1). At that time, a MAC address is added to the agent device search instruction for identification of the management server 10 (management software). This MAC address is added to the response from the agent device to identify the agent device.

The management software transmits a response instruction to the agent device connected to the network 20 by a UDP/IP broadcast packet (Fig. 2, S2 "agent device response instruction"). A series of processing functions related to network settings after this is called a discovery function. Since there is no delivery guarantee for UDP/IP broadcast packets, transmission is performed a specified number of times.

The agent device receives an agent device response indication from the management software. That is, the agent device receives the search UDP frame (FIG. 4, B1, YES). Here, if the discovery function is in operation, wait for the parameter specified time (FIG. 4, B2). For example, the parameter specified time corresponds to the time corresponding to the remainder of dividing the MAC address by 16. After the parameter specified time has elapsed, the agent device responds to the management software with its own MAC address and identification information (FIG. 2, S3). That is, the agent device issues the response UDP frame of FIG. 8 (FIG. 4, B3). The management software receives the response UDP frame (FIG. 3, S2, YES). The identification information indicates vendor information of the agent device, device serial number, setting information for each device, and the like.

When the management software receives the response UDP frame from the agent device, the agent device connected to the network 20 is displayed on the screen (Fig. 2, S4, "agent device screen display"). The operator operates the client 11, selects the agent device displayed on the screen, and inputs network information to be set in the agent device (FIG. 2, S5, "network information input"). That is, the management software receives network information (FIG. 3, A3).

When the management software receives the network information, it attaches the MAC address of the agent device to the data portion of the UDP/IP broadcast packet and transmits a network information setting frame to the agent device (Fig. 2, S6, "network information + identification information ”). That is, the management software issues a configuration UDP frame (FIG. 3, A4). Since there is no delivery guarantee for UDP/IP broadcast packets, transmission is performed a specified number of times.

The agent device receives the network information setting frame. That is, the agent device receives the configuration UDP frame (FIG. 4, B4, YES). When the MAC address stored in the network information setting frame matches that of the agent device, network setting is performed using the network information input by the operator (FIG. 4, B5). After that, the agent device sends a network setting completion response (Fig. 2, S7, "setting completion response + identification information"). That is, the agent device issues a response UDP frame (FIG. 4, B6).

When the management software receives the network setting completion response, it sends an instruction to stop the discovery function to the agent device (FIG. 2, S8). That is, when the management software receives the response UDP frame (FIG. 3, S5, YES), it issues a start UDP frame (FIG. 3, A6). Upon receiving the instruction to stop the discovery function, the agent device stops the discovery function and activates the TCP/IP connection function with the network information set by the operator (Fig. 2, S9, "discovery function stop", "TCP / Start IP connection function"). That is, when the agent device receives the start UDP frame (FIG. 4, B7, YES), it ends the discovery function (FIG. 4, B8).

The management software confirms the TCP/IP connection based on the network information set by the operator (Fig. 2, S10, "Confirmation of connection with network settings"). In other words, the management software checks the connection using the network setting values (FIG. 3, A7). Since it takes time to stop the discovery function and activate the TCP/IP connection function in the agent device, the management software executes step S9 after a specified time has elapsed from the execution of step S8. Also, if the TCP/IP connection cannot be confirmed, retry is performed a specified number of times.

When the management software confirms that the TCP/IP connection has been established normally, it displays that the connection to the client 11 has been established normally (FIG. 2, S11, "network connection normal display"). The series of network setting methods described above allow the operator to easily set the network. In this embodiment, the case where only one agent device is connected to the network 20 is described as an example. Settings can be made.

Next, a modified example of this embodiment will be described. This modification relates to initialization of network settings. Although the above-described embodiment relates to the initial setting for an agent device in which network information has not been set, if there is an error in the network setting, it is necessary to initialize the network setting. This modification can be realized by changing steps S5 to S7 and S11 in the sequence diagram of FIG. 2 as shown in FIG. That is, in step S5, the operator gives an instruction to initialize the agent device, and in step S6, the management software sends initialization information to the agent device instead of network information. As a result, the agent device executes the initialization processing according to the operator's initialization instruction, and then, in step S7, the agent device sends an initialization completion response to the management software instead of the network setting completion response. The management software then informs the client 11 of the unconfigured network. This notifies that the agent device has been initialized.

Next, an overview of the system configuration and functions according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the system 100 shown in FIG. 10, a management device (management software) 110 is connected via a network 120 to a plurality of agent devices 130 (130A-130C). Here, processing on the management software side (steps C1 to C4) and processing on the agent device side (steps D1 to D3) are executed.

First, the management software receives an agent device search instruction from the operator and sends an agent device response instruction (Search UDP Frame) to the agent device (C1). The agent device sends an agent device response (Response UDP Frame) together with its own identification information to the management software (D1). Thereafter, communication is performed between the management software and the agent device using the identification information. When the operator inputs network information in response to the agent device response, the management software sends network information (Configuration UDP Frame) to the agent device (C2). When the agent device completes the network setting according to the network information, it sends a network setting completion response (Response UDP Frame) to the management software (D2). The management software sends a discovery function stop instruction (Start UDP Frame) to the agent device (C3). The agent device stops the discovery function and activates the TCP/IP connection function (D3). After a specified time corresponding to the processing time on the agent device side has elapsed, the management software checks the network setting connection (C4).

Next, the configuration and processing procedure of the management device 110 shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a management device (management software) 110. An agent device response instruction unit 111 for sending a response instruction (Search UDP Frame) to a desired agent device among a plurality of agent devices, network information (Configuration UDP Frame ) to the desired agent device, a discovery function stop instructing unit 113 to send a discovery function stop instruction (Start UDP Frame) to the desired agent device, and after a predetermined period of time has passed, the desired agent device is set to the network. A network setting connection confirmation unit 114 for confirming connection is provided.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart (steps C11 to C14) of the management device (management software) 110. When an agent device search instruction is received from the operator, a desired agent device out of a plurality of agent devices is sent an agent device response instruction (steps C11 to C14). Search UDP Frame) is sent (C11), and when an agent device response (Response UDP Frame) is received from the desired agent device, the network information (Configuration UDP Frame) presented by the operator is sent to the desired agent device ( C12), when a network setting completion response (Response UDP Frame) is received from the desired agent device, a discovery function stop instruction (Start UDP Frame) is sent to the desired agent device (C13), and after a predetermined time elapses, the desired agent Check the network setting connection of the device (C14).

An embodiment of the present invention provides a procedure for simultaneously initializing a plurality of agent devices connected to a network, which can be summarized as follows.
(1) An operator operates management software installed in the management server 10 and issues an instruction to search for various agent devices connected to the network 20 . At that time, a MAC address is added to identify the management server 10 . Each type of agent device is identified by adding a MAC address to the response from the agent device.
(2) The management software instructs the agent device to respond to the network 20 using a UDP/IP broadcast packet. A series of subsequent processes related to network settings with agent devices is called a discovery function.
(3) If the discovery function is in operation, the agent device responds to the management software with its own MAC address and identification information after a specified time (for example, the time indicated by the remainder of dividing the MAC address by 16) has elapsed.
(4) The management software displays the information of the agent devices connected to the network 20 on the client 11 according to the responses from the agent devices. An operator selects a desired agent device from the screen display of the client 11 and sets network information about the agent device. After that, the management software adds the MAC address of the agent device to the data portion of the UDP/IP broadcast packet and sends the network information to the agent device.
(5) When the MAC address of the data portion of the UDP/IP broadcast packet received from the management software matches its own MAC address, the agent device performs its own network settings according to the network information. After that, the agent device sends a network setting completion response to the management software.
(6) When the management software receives a network setting completion response from the agent device, it sends an instruction to stop the discovery function to the agent device. When the agent device receives the discovery function stop instruction, it stops the discovery function. The agent device then establishes a TCP/IP connection via network 20 according to the network information set by the operator.
(7) The management software verifies TCP/IP connectivity with the agent device. Since it takes time to stop the discovery function and start up the TCP/IP connection function, the management software checks the connection with the agent device after a specified time has passed after sending the "discovery function stop instruction + identification information".
(8) After confirming the TCP/IP connection with the agent device, the management software displays on the screen of the client 11 that the network connection has been successfully established.

Next, the effects of implementing the present invention will be summarized below.
(1) When introducing network-connected devices, it is possible to perform initial settings for multiple agent devices at the same time, shortening the initial setting time, initial setting costs, and reducing initial setting errors realizable.
(2) In an information processing system or a network system composed of a plurality of information processing apparatuses, network settings can be easily performed.
(3) Applying the network management and network settings according to the present invention to any information processing system or information processing apparatus as long as there is an environment or device in which the above-described network setting program (eg, management software) can operate. can.
(4) Even if an error occurs in the network settings, the network settings can be easily initialized or the network information can be invalidated, so that only the information processing device to be initialized or invalidated can be separated from the network segment. .

The management servers 10 and 110 described above are information processing apparatuses that manage a plurality of agent devices via networks 20 and 120, and have computer systems. The above-described processing procedures (FIGS. 2 to 4, 9, and 10) are stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program. processing takes place. Here, the computer-readable recording medium includes a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, and the like. Alternatively, the computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer receiving the distribution may execute the program. Also, the program may be for realizing part of the functions described above. Furthermore, it may be a so-called difference file (or difference program) that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

Finally, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the functions of the management servers (management software) 10 and 110 are not limited to the processing procedures shown in FIGS. do not have. Also, the data formats shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 are examples and are not limiting. The present invention also includes various modifications, alterations, and design changes within the technical scope defined in the appended claims.

The present invention can be applied to network settings for a plurality of agent devices connected to a network, and can be applied to network settings for various information processing systems and information processing apparatuses.

10 management server (management software)
11 Client (Operator)
20 networks 30, 31 servers 32, 33 storage 34 terminal 100 network management system 110 management server (management software)
120 network 130 agent device

Claims (6)

A management device connected to a plurality of agent devices via a network,
Upon receiving an agent device search instruction from an operator, sending an agent device response instruction to an agent device targeted for network setting among the plurality of agent devices;
upon receiving an agent device response from the agent device, sending network information presented by the operator to the agent device;
upon receiving a network setting completion response from the agent device, sending a discovery function stop instruction to the agent device;
confirming the network setting connection of the agent device after a predetermined time has elapsed;
management device. When the agent device receives the agent device response instruction, the agent device transmits the agent device response together with its own identification information;
Upon receiving the network information, the agent device transmits a network setting completion response indicating completion of network setting according to the network information together with its own identification information;
When the agent device receives the discovery function stop instruction, the agent device stops its own discovery function and activates the network connection function.
The management device according to claim 1. 3. The management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined time is determined in advance as a time for stopping said discovery function and activating said network connection function by said agent device. The network connection function of the agent device is a TCP/IP connection function, the agent device response instruction is performed using a search UDP frame, and the agent device response and the network setting completion response are responses. A UDP frame (Response UDP Frame) is used, the network information is performed using a Configuration UDP Frame, and the discovery function stop instruction is performed using a Start UDP Frame. 2. The management device of claim 1, wherein An initial setting method for initializing a plurality of agent devices connected to a network, comprising:
Upon receiving an agent device search instruction from an operator, sending an agent device response instruction to an agent device targeted for network setting among the plurality of agent devices;
upon receiving an agent device response from the agent device, sending network information presented by the operator to the agent device;
upon receiving a network setting completion response from the agent device, sending a discovery function stop instruction to the agent device;
confirming the network setting connection of the agent device after a predetermined time has elapsed;
Initial setting method. A program implemented in a computer of a management device connected to a plurality of agent devices via a network,
a processing step of, upon receiving an agent device search instruction from an operator, sending an agent device response instruction to an agent device targeted for network setting among the plurality of agent devices;
a processing step of sending network information presented by the operator to the agent device upon receiving an agent device response from the agent device;
a processing step of sending a discovery function stop instruction to the agent device upon receiving a network setting completion response from the agent device;
a process of confirming the network setting connection of the agent device after a predetermined time has elapsed;
program to run.

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