JPH11234277A - Management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a management system which enables communications and transmission/reception of management information through mutual connection even when a communication protocol between a first management device and its agent managed by the first management device is different from that between a second management device and it agent managed by the second management device. SOLUTION: A first management device 1 is provided with a communication protocol determining means 10 and a communication protocol converting means 14. The communication protocol determining means 10 has a method for transmitting a test case corresponding to the communication protocol and a method for transmitting/receiving the list of mutually available protocol classes. Further, this system is provided with a means for enabling communications by transmitting a communication program from the first management device 1 to a second management device 2. The system is also provided with a communication pattern setting means for enabling a communication protocol conversion by performing wire tapping of communication information of the agent managed by the second management device 2 through the first management device 1 and a means for preventing erroneous communications.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a management system comprising a plurality of management devices and agents such as home appliances and computers managed by the management devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, a communication technology has been developed, and a network comprising a management device and an agent managed by the management device is mutually connected, and the network is being enlarged. In such a situation, one management device exchanges and shares management information between management devices because of the need to manage agents under the control of other management devices and the need to transmit important information throughout the network. Or that is being done. A method and system for exchanging and sharing management information between a plurality of management devices using the same communication protocol is described in "Method and System for Sharing Information Between Network Managers" described in JP-A-9-190394.
There is.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a conventional management system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-190394.
The management system includes a transmitting station 2001 that is a client side of a management device that manages an agent connected to a network, a receiving station 2002 that is a server side of a management device that manages an agent connected to a network, 2001
And agents 2003a and 2003b managed by the receiving station 2002, respectively.

[0004] A transmitting station 2001 is a manager 200 that manages a connected agent 2003a.
4a, a sender process 200 coupled to a manager 2004a and transmitting management information to a receiving station 2002
5. The permission list 2006 which is combined with the sender process 2005 and includes information indicating whether the transmitting station 2001 is permitted to transmit the management information to the receiving station 2002, and which information of the management information is received by combining with the sender process 2005 A filter file 2007 including information on whether to transmit to the station 2002 is provided.

[0005] The receiving station 2002 is a manager 2004 for managing the connected agent 2003b.
b, receiver process 20 coupled to manager 2004b to receive management information from transmitting station 2001
08, a registration list 2009 in which the identification names of the management devices to be connected to the receiver process 2008 and to which the management information is to be transmitted are stored. 2010 is a transmission line connecting the transmitting station 2001 and the receiving station 2002.

Next, an operation sequence for transmitting management information from the transmitting station 2001 to the receiving station 2002 will be described with reference to FIG. The management information transmitted and received by the transmitting station 2001 and the receiving station 2002 includes an agent log, definition data, and the like.

First, the manager 2004a of the transmitting station 2001 sends the management information of the agent 2003a to the sender process 2005 to the receiving station 2
002 is sent to the sender process (step S2101). The sender process 2005 determines whether transmission of management information to the receiving station 2002 is permitted with reference to the permission list 2006 (step S2102). If allowed, the sender process 2005 will send the filter file 2007
, The management information is filtered to extract management information to be transmitted to the receiving station 2002 (step S2103), and transmitted to the receiving station 2002 (step S2104). The receiver process 2008 of the receiving station 2002 receives the management information (step S2105), determines whether the transmitting station 2001 to which the management information is to be transmitted is previously registered in the registration list 2009, and If so, the management information is transmitted to the manager 2004b (step S
2106). In this way, management information can be exchanged and shared between management devices.

[0008]

However, in the conventional management system, if the communication protocol between the transmitting station 2001 and the agent 2003a is different from the communication protocol between the receiving station 2002 and the agent 2003b, the transmission is performed. Station 20
01 and the receiving station 2002, there is a problem that the management information cannot be transmitted and received, and the management information cannot be exchanged and shared.

In order to communicate between management apparatuses having different communication protocols in this configuration without knowing the communication protocol of the other party, a communication program corresponding to all communication protocols is loaded into the manager. And the load on the manager becomes enormous. In this case, since the management device must have a communication protocol of another management device in advance, each time a management device having a new communication protocol transmits / receives management information, a communication program corresponding to the new communication protocol is transmitted. Has to be implemented manually.

In the conventional management system, the transmitting station 2001 transmits the collected management information to the receiving station 2002 in the same format as the transmitting station 2001.
If the format of the management information managed by the management station 04a is different from the format of the management information managed by the manager 2004b of the receiving station 2002, the manager 2004b cannot process the received management information and cannot share the management information. was there.

Also, in the conventional management system, there is a problem that the management device cannot communicate directly with an agent under the control of another management device because communication can be performed only by the management device.

Further, in the conventional management system, the transmitting station 2001 and the receiving station 2002 verify the security of the transmission and reception of the management information by collating a list of management devices registered in advance. There is a problem that there is a risk that an incorrect communication operation may occur because there is no regulation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. A first object of the present invention is to make it possible for a manager to communicate between management apparatuses and between a management apparatus and an agent having different communication protocols. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a management system capable of transmitting and receiving management information by minimizing the above.

A second object is to obtain a management system capable of communicating with another management device and an agent under its management even if the communication protocol of the other management device is not registered.

A third object is to obtain a management system that enables management information to be shared between management devices having different management data formats and between management devices and agents.

A fourth object is to obtain a management system in which a management device can directly communicate with an agent under the control of another management device and can transmit and receive management information.

[0017] A fifth object is to prevent communication operations from other management apparatuses from being erroneously performed by restricting the operations.

[0018]

In a management system according to the present invention, a first management device transmits a test command to a second management device according to a test case corresponding to a usable communication protocol, and transmits the test command to the second management device. Communication protocol determining means for determining a communication protocol to be used for communication with the second management apparatus by a response from the corresponding second management apparatus, and communication protocol conversion means for performing communication protocol conversion according to the communication protocol determining means. It was made to have.

The first management device transmits a test command to an agent managed by the second management device according to a test case corresponding to a usable communication protocol, and sends the test command to the second management device corresponding to the test command. Communication protocol determining means for determining a communication protocol to be used for communication with the agent managed by the second management device based on a response from the managed agent, and communication protocol conversion for performing communication protocol conversion according to the communication protocol determining means Means.

Further, the test case includes a test command corresponding to the communication protocol, a response transmitted from the second management device or an agent managed by the second management device when the test command is normally operated. , And a wait time for waiting for this response.

The first management device and the second management device transmit and receive a protocol type list including information on usable communication protocols to and from each other, thereby determining communication protocol to be used for communication. And a communication protocol conversion means for converting the communication protocol in accordance with the communication protocol determination means.

The agents managed by the first management device and the second management device determine a communication protocol to be used for communication by mutually transmitting and receiving a protocol type list including information on available communication protocols. It has communication protocol determination means, and the first management device further has communication protocol conversion means for performing communication protocol conversion in accordance with the communication protocol determination means.

Also, the first management device has program transmission means for transmitting a communication program corresponding to a usable communication protocol to the second management device, and the second management device stores the received communication program therein. It has a means for porting a program.

Also, the first management device intercepts and stores communication information between the second management device and the agent managed by the second management device, extracts a communication pattern from the communication information, and converts the communication pattern into a communication pattern. Communication protocol estimation means for estimating the communication protocol based on, and transmits a test command to the second management device according to a test case corresponding to the communication protocol estimated by the communication protocol estimation means,
A communication protocol determining means for determining a communication protocol to be used based on the response, and a communication protocol converting means for converting the communication protocol in accordance with the communication protocol determining means.

Further, the first management device outputs the intercepted communication information and inputs / outputs an instruction from the administrator, and tests the intercepted communication information in accordance with the instruction from the administrator. And communication protocol setting means for storing the communication pattern in the communication protocol estimation means in accordance with the instruction from the communication protocol conversion means and storing the communication protocol conversion format in the communication protocol conversion means.

Furthermore, the agent managed by the second management device, if the communication operation request transmitted from the first management device is incorrect, sends an alarm to the second management device to prevent erroneous communication. Means.

Further, the agent managed by the second management device transmits an alarm and a correct communication pattern to the first management device when the communication operation request transmitted from the first management device is incorrect. The first management device has an unauthorized access prevention unit that notifies the communication protocol setting unit of the communication pattern.

Further, the first management device and the second management device have format conversion means for converting management information from a local format to a common general-purpose format for transmission and reception, and converting the general-purpose format to a local format.

[0029]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, a management system includes a transmission station 1 which is a first management apparatus serving as a client side requesting transmission / reception of management information, and a second server serving as a server side transmitting / receiving management information in accordance with a request from the transmission station 1. , A receiving station 2 which is a managing device of the above, agents 3a and 3b respectively managed by the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2, an agent 3a and the transmitting station 1, a transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2, a receiving station 2 and an agent 3
b, and transmission lines 4a, 4b, and 4c for connecting b. The transmission paths 4a, 4b and 4c are paths for transmitting and receiving information, and need not be wired, but may be wireless. The relationship between the management device and the agent is, for example, a network device such as a blueter or the like, in which the management device manages the LAN at the management workstation and the agent is connected to the LAN; And the like.

Reference numeral 5a denotes a manager of the transmitting station 1, in which a management program for managing an agent actually operates to manage the agent 3a. Reference numeral 6a denotes a management information storage unit of the transmitting station 1, which stores management information and the like transmitted from the agent 3a to the manager 5a. 7b and 7c are transmission / reception processes of the transmission station 1, which are connected to the transmission lines 4a and 4b, respectively, to transmit / receive information.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a test case storage unit of the transmitting station 1, which stores a test command for each communication protocol that can be used by the transmitting station 1, a response from the other party when it operates normally, and a waiting time for waiting for a response. It has a test case for each communication protocol consisting of information. Reference numeral 9 denotes a protocol testing unit of the transmitting station 1;
a, is coupled to the test case storage unit 8 and the transmission / reception process 7c, transmits a test command to the reception station 2 via the transmission / reception process 7c in accordance with the test case registered in the test case storage unit 8, and receives a response from the reception station 2 Determine the communication protocol with The test case storage unit 8 and the protocol test unit 9 constitute a communication protocol determination unit 10.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a timer of the transmitting station 1, which is connected to the transmitting / receiving process 7c.
Measures the time from sending a test command to returning a response. Reference numeral 12 denotes a protocol conversion format storage unit of the transmitting station 1, which includes a manager 5a and an agent 3
A conversion format for converting a command, a transmission format, and the like between a communication protocol used between a and another communication protocol that the transmitting station 1 has and can use is stored. Reference numeral 13 denotes a protocol conversion unit of the transmitting station 1, which converts a communication protocol according to a conversion format of the protocol conversion format storage unit 12. The protocol conversion unit 13 includes a manager 5a, a transmission / reception process 7,
c, a protocol test unit 9 and a protocol conversion format storage unit 12. Note that the protocol conversion format storage unit 12 and the protocol conversion unit 13 constitute a communication protocol conversion unit 14. Reference numerals 5b and 6b denote manager and management information storage units of the receiving station 2. Also,
7a and 7f are transmission / reception processes of the agents 3a and 3b.

Next, the operation when the transmitting station 1 collects the management information stored in the management information storage section 6b of the receiving station 2 will be described with reference to the operation flow of FIG. It is assumed that the format of the management information stored in the management information storage unit 6a of the transmitting station 1 is the same as the format of the management information stored in the management information storage unit 6b of the receiving station 2.

First, the manager 5a instructs the protocol test unit 9 to determine a communication protocol with the receiving station 2 (step S101). The protocol test unit 9 reads one of the plurality of test cases stored in the test case storage unit 8, and transmits a test command to the receiving station 2 via the transmission / reception process 7c (Step S102).

When the communication protocol corresponding to the test command matches the communication protocol between the receiving station 2 and the agent 3b, the receiving station 2 makes a normal response corresponding to the test command. Gives no response or abnormal response. The protocol test unit 9 determines whether a normal response is received from the receiving station 2 within the waiting time (Step S103).

If a normal response is received within the time, the communication protocol is determined to be used, the manager 5a is notified of the success of the test, and the determined communication protocol name is sent to the protocol conversion unit 13. Notify (step S104). If there is no normal response within the time, it is determined whether there is an unexecuted test case in the test case storage unit 8 (step S105). Step 103 is repeated.

If there is no unexecuted test case in the test case storage unit 8, the manager 5a is notified that the test has failed, and the manager 5a gives up sending and receiving the management information (step S106). When receiving the notification that the test is successful, the manager 5a issues a management information collection request to the receiving station 2. This collection request is transmitted to the protocol conversion unit 13 in step S10.
After being converted into the format of the communication protocol determined by step 4, it is transmitted to the receiving station 2 via the transmission / reception process 7c (step S107).

The manager 5b of the receiving station 2 receives the collection request via the transmitting / receiving process 7d, transmits the management information stored in the management information storage unit 6b to the transmitting station 1, and the transmitting station 1 receives the management information. (Step S108) After being converted by the protocol conversion unit 13 into a communication protocol format managed by the manager 5a, it is sent to the manager 5a, and is sent to the manager 5a.
Stores the management information in the management information storage unit 6a (step S109).

As described above, since the management information is transmitted and received between the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2 after determining the communication protocol that can be used between the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2, the manager 5a and the agent 3a of the transmitting station 1 Communication protocol of the receiving station 2 is the manager 5b and the agent 3
b), and even if the transmitting station 1 does not know the communication protocol between the manager 5b of the receiving station 2 and the agent 3b, it is possible to transmit and receive management information and transmit without increasing the load on the manager 5a. The station 1 and the receiving station 2 can exchange and share management information.

If the communication protocol determined by the communication protocol determining means 10 is stored in the transmitting station 1, thereafter, the receiving station 2 can be determined without the communication protocol determining means 10 determining the communication protocol.
It becomes possible to communicate with.

In the first embodiment, the communication protocol determining means 10 and the communication protocol converting means 14 are formed inside the receiving station 1. However, the transmission path 4b between the receiving station 1 and the transmitting station 2 is an independent device. It may be installed on top.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the management system according to the first embodiment, the transmitting station 1 uses the agent 3b managed by the receiving station 2 and the communication protocol determining means 10. In this case, a communication protocol is determined to enable communication. In the figure, 4d is the transmitting station 1 and the agent 3
b.

In such a configuration, the transmitting station 1 determines the communication protocol with the agent 3b using the test cases in the test case storage unit 8 and can directly communicate with the agent 3b. Can send a collection request for
And the receiving station 2 can share the management information of the agent 3b.

Embodiment 3 FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a management system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
In the management system according to the first embodiment, instead of determining a communication protocol by performing a communication protocol test using a test case, the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2 mutually transmit and receive a protocol type list using a negotiation protocol. The communication between the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2 is enabled by determining the communication protocol.

In the figure, reference numeral 201a denotes a protocol information storage unit of the transmitting station 1, which stores a protocol type list of communication protocols that can be used by the transmitting station 1. A protocol negotiation unit 202a of the transmitting station 1 determines a communication protocol by comparing the protocol type list stored in the protocol information storage unit 201a with the protocol type list received by the negotiation protocol. Further, the protocol negotiation unit 202a is the manager 5
a, protocol conversion unit 13, protocol information storage unit 20
1a and the transmitting / receiving process 7c. The protocol information storage unit 201a and the protocol negotiation unit 20
2a constitutes the communication protocol determining means 203a. Reference numerals 201b and 202b denote a protocol information storage unit and a protocol negotiating unit of the receiving station 2, and constitute a communication protocol determining unit 203b. 12b, 13
b is a protocol conversion format storage unit and a protocol conversion unit of the receiving station 2, respectively, and constitutes a communication protocol conversion unit 14b. The negotiation protocol is a simple communication protocol having only a function of transmitting and receiving a list of protocol types.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the format of the protocol type list stored in the protocol information storage unit 201a of the transmitting station 1. The protocol type list includes a correspondence table of labels 221a indicating types of communication protocols that can be used by the transmitting station 1 and test cases 222a corresponding to various types. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a format of the protocol type list stored in the protocol information storage unit 201b of the receiving station 2, and a label 221 indicating the type of the communication protocol owned by the receiving station 1.
b and a correspondence table of test cases 222b corresponding to each type.

Next, a flow of determining a communication protocol used when transmitting and receiving management information between the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2 will be described with reference to the operation sequence of FIG.

First, the manager 5a of the transmitting station 1 instructs the protocol negotiating unit 202a to negotiate a communication protocol for communicating with the receiving station 2 (step S301). Protocol negotiation unit 202a
Transmits a communication connection setting request of the negotiation protocol to the receiving station 2 via the transmission / reception process 7c (step S302). The protocol negotiation unit 202b of the receiving station 2 receives the communication connection setting request of the negotiation protocol via the transmission / reception process 7d, and if a communication connection can be set, a connection acceptance response of the communication connection. Is returned to the transmitting station 1 via the transmission / reception process 7d (step S303).

Protocol negotiation unit 2 of transmitting station 1
02a notifies the manager 5a that the session cannot be connected when the connection rejection response is received. If a connection acceptance response has been received, a protocol negotiation request with a protocol type list read from the protocol information storage unit 201a is transmitted to the receiving station 2 via the transmission / reception process 7c (step S304). The protocol negotiation unit 202b of the receiving station 2 receives the protocol negotiation request, compares the protocol type list read from the protocol information storage unit 201b with the transmitted protocol type list of the transmitting station 1, and determines an overlapping communication protocol. The information is transmitted to the transmitting station 1 as a negotiation response in the format of the protocol type list (step S3).
05).

Protocol negotiation unit 2 of transmitting station 1
02a receives a list of protocol types, determines a communication protocol to be used for communication with the receiving station 2 from the list, notifies the manager 5a that the negotiation is successful, and sends the communication protocol to the protocol conversion unit 13. Notice. Also, the protocol negotiation unit 202a adds the determined communication protocol name to the communication connection release request, and transmits the request to the receiving station 2 via the transmission / reception process 7c (step S306).

Protocol negotiation unit 2 of receiving station 2
02b receives the release request, responds by releasing the communication connection, and notifies the protocol conversion unit 13b of the determined communication protocol name (step S307). After that, the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2 mutually exchange communication protocols to transmit and receive management information (step S308).

As described above, since the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2 each have the communication protocol converting means, even if the transmitting station 1 does not have the communication protocol between the manager 5b and the agent 3b,
If the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2 have a common communication protocol, the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2 can communicate with each other and can transmit and receive management information. Further, since the communication protocol to be used is determined by transmitting and receiving the protocol type list to and from each other, the communication protocol can be quickly determined.

Note that the protocol type list only needs to have information that indicates the types of usable communication protocols.
It may be a simple list of communication protocol names or a list of communication protocol identifiers.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a management system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the management system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the communication protocol determining means is provided to the agent 3b managed by the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2. In addition, the transmitting station 1 and the agent 3b communicate directly with each other to enable transmission and reception of management information.

In the figure, 201c and 202c are a protocol information storage unit and a protocol negotiating unit of the agent 3b, respectively, and constitute a communication protocol determining unit 203c. 4d is transmitting station 1 and agent 3
b. The agent 3b
Cannot use a plurality of communication protocols. Therefore, only the information of the communication protocols used by the manager 5b and the agent 3b exists in the protocol type list owned by the protocol information storage unit 201c.

In such a configuration, the transmitting station 1 can transmit and receive management information by directly communicating with the agent 3b, so that the transmitting station 1 can share the management information with the receiving station 2. In this embodiment, since the communication protocol between the agent 3b and the transmitting station 1 is the same as the communication protocol between the agent 3b and the receiving station 2, the agent 3b has no communication protocol conversion means.
When a plurality of communication protocols can be used, it is necessary to provide a communication protocol conversion means also on the agent 3b side.

Embodiment 5 FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a management system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the management system according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4, means for transmitting a communication program to the transmission station 1 is provided. Means for transplanting the communication program transmitted from the communication device.

In the figure, reference numeral 401 denotes a program storage unit of the transmitting station 1, which stores a communication program for processing a communication protocol in communication between the manager 5a and the agent 3a. A program transmission unit 402 of the transmission station 1 is coupled to the program storage unit 401, the protocol negotiation unit 202a, the manager 5a, and the transmission / reception process 7c, reads a communication program stored in the program storage unit 401, and uses a negotiation protocol. To transmit the communication program to the receiving station 2. The program storage unit 401 and the program transmission unit 402 constitute a program transmission unit 403. 4
Reference numeral 04 denotes a program processing unit of the receiving station 2, which is coupled to the transmitting / receiving process 7d, the manager 5b, and the program porting unit 405, receives the communication program transmitted from the transmitting station 1, and converts the received communication program into the program porting unit 405. And load the communication program into the manager 5b.
The program processing unit 404 and the program porting unit 4
At 05, the program porting means 406 is configured.
The negotiation protocol is a simple communication protocol having only a function of transmitting and receiving a protocol type list and a function of transmitting and receiving a communication program.

Next, in this configuration, the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operation in the case where there is no common communication protocol in the list of protocol types will be described with reference to the operation sequence of FIG.

First, in steps S301 to S305 of the third embodiment, the transmitting station 1 sends a protocol type list. The protocol negotiating unit 202b of the receiving station 2 compares the protocol type list sent from the transmitting station 1 with the protocol type list of the protocol information storage unit 201b of the receiving station 2, and if there is no match, a blank protocol type list Is transmitted (step S501). When receiving the blank protocol type list from the receiving station 2, the protocol negotiation unit 202a of the transmitting station 1 determines that there is no usable communication protocol, and processes the communication protocol being used between the manager 5a and the agent 3a. Receiving station 2 for communication program
Is transmitted to the program transmission unit 402 (step S502).

The program transmission section 402 reads out the communication program from the program storage section 401 and transmits it to the receiving station 2 via the transmission / reception process 7c (step S503). In the receiving station 2, the program processing unit 404 receives the communication program via the transmission / reception process 7d, and transfers the communication program to the program porting unit 405 (step S504).

After the completion of the transplantation, the program processing unit 404 loads the communication program into the manager 5b and makes it usable, and transmits a porting completion report to the transmitting station 1 via the transmitting / receiving process 7d (step S505). . The program transmitting unit 402 of the transmitting station 1 receives the porting completion report from the receiving station 2 and notifies the protocol negotiating unit 202a (step S506). The protocol negotiation unit 202a notifies the manager 5a that the negotiation is successful,
The communication connection release request of the negotiation protocol is transmitted to the receiving station 2 via the transmission / reception process 7c (step S507).

Protocol negotiation unit 2 of receiving station 2
03b receives the release request and transmits a communication connection release response of the negotiation connection to the transmitting station 1 (step S508). The transmitting station 2 receives the communication connection release response, and thereafter, the manager 5a
And the agent 3a communicate with the receiving station 2 using the communication protocol in use, transmit and receive management information, and share and exchange management information (step S50).
9). In this case, since the manager 5a of the transmitting station 1 and the manager 5b of the receiving station 2 can communicate with each other using the same communication protocol, the protocol converters 13 and 13b do not convert the communication protocol.

As described above, even if the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2 do not have a common communication protocol, the communication program for processing the communication protocol in use between the manager 5a and the agent 3a of the transmitting station 1 is received. By transplanting to Station 2,
The transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2 can communicate with each other, and can exchange and share management information.

The program storage unit 401 stores not only the communication program but also the manager 5 of the transmitting station 1.
If all the programs used in a are stored, the manager 5b of the receiving station 2 is sent to the manager 5b by the program transmitting means 403 and the program porting means 406.
Can be provided with all functions, the manager can be duplicated to enhance security, and the agent can be managed without interruption by using a plurality of managers alternately.

Embodiment 6 FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a management system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
In the management system according to the first embodiment, the transmitting station 1 is connected to the receiving station 2 and the agent 3b.
A communication protocol estimating means for intercepting and analyzing communication information with the receiving station 2 and estimating a communication protocol with the receiving station 2 is provided.

In the figure, reference numeral 601 denotes a communication pattern monitoring unit of the transmitting station 1, which is connected to the protocol test unit 9. The communication pattern monitoring unit 601 is connected to the receiving station 2
The communication information is intercepted from the transmission path 4c between the agent and the agent 3b via the transmission path 4e, and the information is stored in the interception information storage unit 60.
2, and the communication protocol is estimated by comparing the intercepted information with the communication pattern stored in the communication pattern storage unit 603. Note that the intercept information storage unit 60
2 and the communication pattern storage unit 603 are both located in the transmission station 1 and are coupled to the communication pattern monitoring unit 601. Further, the communication pattern storage unit 603 stores several types of communication patterns corresponding to communication protocols that can be used by the transmitting station 1. Note that the communication pattern monitoring unit 601, the intercept information storage unit 602, and the communication pattern storage unit 603 constitute a communication protocol estimation unit 604.

Here, the communication pattern is a series of exchanges between the management device and the agent from the start of a process to the end thereof. For example, when the manager 5b of the receiving station 2 collects an operation log from the agent 3b, (1) the manager 5b transmits a session connection command to the agent 3b via the transmission / reception process 7e, and (2) the agent 3b Make an establishment response, (3) issue an operation log transmission command from the manager 5b via the transmission / reception process 7e, (4) return an operation log from the agent 3b, (5) send the operation log from the manager 5b to the agent 3b via the transmission / reception process 7e. A session disconnection command is issued. (6) The agent 3b responds to the session disconnection. The information flowing on the transmission path from (1) to (6) is regarded as one communication pattern. When the receiving station 2 stops the agent 3b, (1) the manager 5b transmits a stop command to the agent 3b via the transmission / reception process 7e, and (2) the agent 3b receives the stop command and transmits a stop acceptance response. (The agent 3b stops thereafter). From (1) to (2) above
The information that has flowed on the transmission path up to this time is defined as one communication pattern.

Next, an operation in which the transmitting station 1 intercepts transmission and reception between the receiving station 2 and the agent 3b and determines a communication protocol for communication between the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2 will be described with reference to an operation sequence shown in FIG. .

First, the manager 5b and the agent 3
When the communication is performed by b, the contents of the communication (hereinafter referred to as “interception information”) are intercepted by the communication pattern monitoring unit 601 of the transmitting station 1 via the transmission line 4 e and stored in the interception information storage unit 602. You. Note that the intercept function stops when a certain amount of intercept information is accumulated in the intercept information storage unit 602 (step S701). When the protocol test unit 9 receives a command from the manager 5a to determine a communication protocol for communicating with the receiving station 2, the protocol test unit 9 commands the communication pattern monitoring unit 601 to analyze the intercept information ( Step S702).

The communication pattern monitoring unit 601 reads out a series of interception information from the interception information storage unit 602, sequentially reads out communication patterns for each communication protocol from the communication pattern storage unit 603, and compares them (step S703).
It is determined whether they match (step S704). If the communication patterns match, the communication pattern monitoring unit 60
1 notifies the protocol test unit 9 of the communication protocol name,
The protocol test unit 9 reads a test case corresponding to the communication protocol name from the test case storage unit 8 and performs a test (step S705), and determines whether or not the test case succeeds (step S706). If you succeed in this test,
The management information is transmitted / received to / from the receiving station 2 using this communication protocol (step S707).

If the communication patterns do not match, a communication pattern that has not yet been compared is stored in the communication pattern storage unit 60.
3 is determined (step S708), and if so, steps S703 to S704 are performed. If no matching communication pattern is found in comparison with all the communication patterns in the communication pattern storage unit 603, the information is notified to the protocol test unit 9 and step S102 to step S102 in FIG. The process is executed based on the procedure of S109 (step S709).

As described above, the communication pattern monitoring unit 601 of the transmitting station 1 intercepts the communication information between the manager 5b and the agent 3b, and stores the communication pattern storage unit 603.
Since the communication protocol is estimated by comparing with the communication pattern of each communication protocol, it is not necessary to sequentially execute the test cases stored in the test case storage unit 13, and the communication protocol can be determined immediately. Further, since the communication protocol to be used can be determined by intercepting the communication information between the manager 5b and the agent 3b and comparing it with the communication pattern of the communication protocol stored in advance, the operation is backed up without changing the existing operation controller. be able to.

Embodiment 7 FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a management system according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
In the management system according to the sixth embodiment, communication information between the manager 5b and the agent 3b is intercepted, and a protocol conversion format can be set from the interception information.

In the figure, reference numeral 801 denotes a communication pattern analysis unit of the transmission station 1, which is connected to the communication pattern storage unit 603, the intercept information storage unit 602, and the protocol test unit 9. A communication pattern analysis unit 801 is an input / output device 80 serving as input / output means for interfacing with an administrator.
2, display of intercept information on the input / output device 802, processing of input information such as a protocol conversion format table and a communication pattern identifier input from the input / output device 802, and input / output device 8
In accordance with the instruction from 02, transmission / reception is performed via the transmission / reception process 7c of the intercept information. Reference numeral 803 denotes a temporary storage unit that stores input information from the input / output device 802. The communication protocol setting unit 804 includes the communication pattern analysis unit 801 and the temporary storage unit 803.

Next, in the sixth embodiment, when the communication protocol between the manager 5b and the agent 3b is not owned by the transmitting station 1, the protocol conversion format is set by analyzing the communication pattern and the protocol conversion format is set. The operation of storing the protocol conversion format in the storage unit 12 will be described based on the operation sequence of FIG.

First, steps S701 to S7 in FIG.
09, it is found that there is no communication pattern corresponding to the intercept information in the communication pattern storage unit 603, and that the transmitting station 1 does not have a communication protocol used for communication between the manager 5b and the agent 3b. . In this case, the communication pattern analysis unit 801 reads out the intercept information stored in the intercept information storage unit 602, adds the order in which the intercept information has passed through the transmission path 4e, and displays the information on the input / output device 802 (step S901).

According to the display of the input / output device 802, the administrator sequentially transmits the intercept information to the receiving station 2 or the agent 3b through the transmission / reception process 7c. Investigate the response returned via 4d and the operation of agent 3b. By repeating this operation, a protocol conversion format table can be created in which the communication protocol between the agent 3a and the manager 5a is associated with each piece of intercept information flowing through the transmission path 4e. Input from the input / output device 802. For example, if the receiving station 2 is the agent 3b
If communication patterns (1) to (6) for collecting operation logs are intercepted, send (1) from transmitting station 1 to agent 3b, confirm (2), and confirm (3) Check (4), check (6) by checking (5), determine that it is a communication pattern to collect operation logs, and create a protocol conversion format table for each operation to collect operation logs (Step S902).

The communication pattern analysis unit 801 stores the communication pattern to which the protocol conversion format table and the identifier added from the input / output device 802 are added in the temporary storage 803 and sends the communication pattern to the protocol test unit 9. The protocol test unit 9 sets the protocol conversion format in the protocol conversion format table in the protocol conversion unit 13 (step S903),
Thereafter, the manager 5a is instructed to operate the communication protocol between the manager 5a and the agent 3a corresponding to the intercepted communication pattern (step S9).
04).

The manager 5a operates the receiving station 2 according to the instruction. For example, a session connection request is transmitted or a management log transmission request is issued. In this case, when the communication protocol is normally converted by the protocol conversion unit 13, the manager 5a can obtain a response similar to the operation performed on the agent 3a from the protocol conversion unit 13 (Step S).
905).

When a similar response can be obtained, the manager 5a notifies the protocol test unit 9 that the response is normal.
Is instructed to store the protocol conversion format in the protocol conversion format storage unit 12 and stored (step S
906). Further, the communication pattern analysis unit 801 receives the notification from the protocol test unit 9 that the protocol conversion format is normal, stores the communication pattern with the identifier added to the communication pattern storage unit 603, and temporarily stores the communication pattern.
Then, the protocol conversion format table and the communication pattern are deleted (step S907). The protocol conversion format can be enhanced by repeating this flow.

As described above, the transmission station 1 can set a new protocol conversion format by intercepting and analyzing the communication information between the manager 5b and the agent 3b. Without this, it can communicate with the receiving station 2 and the agent 3b, and can exchange and share management information.

Embodiment 8 FIG. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a management system according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. In the management system according to the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. This prevents the agent 3b from malfunctioning.

In the figure, reference numeral 1001 denotes an erroneous communication prevention unit of the agent 3b managed by the receiving station 2, which stores a communication pattern sent to the agent 3b and a normal communication pattern stored in the communication pattern storage unit 1002. To determine whether an erroneous communication pattern has been sent from the outside. The communication pattern storage unit 1002
Stores a plurality of communication patterns corresponding to the communication protocol and upper and lower limit values of communication parameters. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a communication history storage unit of the agent 3b, which stores a history of communication with the agent from outside. The erroneous communication prevention unit 1004 is configured by the erroneous communication prevention unit 1001, the communication pattern storage unit 1002, and the communication history storage unit 1003.

Next, the operation of the agent 3b when the communication operation of the wrong communication pattern is performed from the transmitting station 1 to the agent 3b will be described based on the operation sequence of FIG.

First, the transmitting station 1 transmits a request for performing a communication operation (hereinafter referred to as “communication operation X”) to the agent 3b (step S1101). Agent 3
The transmission / reception process 7f of b receives the execution request of the communication operation X (step S1102), executes the communication operation X, and performs the communication history storage unit 100 via the erroneous communication prevention unit 1001.
3 stores the execution history of the communication operation X (step S1).
103). Next, the transmitting station 1 is the agent 3
A request to execute the communication operation (referred to as “communication operation Y”) in step b is transmitted (step S1104). Agent 3b
The transmission / reception process 7f receives the execution request of the communication operation Y and notifies the communication error prevention unit 1001 (step S11).
05).

The erroneous communication prevention unit 1001 is a communication history storage unit 1
The previous communication operation history stored in 003 and the order of the current communication operation are compared with the communication order stored in the communication pattern storage unit 1002 (step S1106), and it is determined whether the request for the current communication operation is incorrect. I do. For example, in the communication pattern stored in the communication pattern storage unit 1002, if the communication operation X is followed by the communication operation Z, it is determined that the request for the communication operation Y transmitted this time is incorrect (step S1107). ). If the order of the communication patterns matches, the erroneous communication prevention unit 1001 notifies the transmission / reception process 7f that the communication is normal, and the transmission / reception process 7f executes the communication operation Y (step S1108).

If the communication orders do not match, the erroneous communication prevention unit 1001 notifies the transmission / reception process 7f of the abnormality, and the transmission / reception process 7f does not execute the communication operation Y.
An alert is transmitted to the manager 5b managing the agent 3b (step S1109). The manager 5b receives the alarm and transmits a communication stop request to the agent 3b (step S1110). Agent 3b
Then, in response to the stop request, all the series of operations are stopped, and the process returns to the initial state (step S1111).

As described above, since the agent 3b performs the communication operation while judging whether the order of the requested communication operation is correct or not, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation due to an erroneous communication operation request. It is possible to safely communicate by avoiding a malfunction of the agent. In this embodiment, the erroneous communication preventing means 1004 is provided in the agent 3b. However, even if it is provided in the receiving station 2, erroneous communication operation with the transmitting station 1 can be avoided.

Embodiment 9 FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a management system according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention.
In the management system according to the eighth embodiment, when a request for a communication operation transmitted from the transmitting station 1 to the agent 3b is incorrect, an alert with a correct communication pattern added to the transmitting station 1 is transmitted to the transmitting station 1, The stored protocol conversion format is modified.

In the figure, reference numeral 1201 denotes an unauthorized access preventing unit which is an unauthorized access preventing means of the transmitting station 1;
It is coupled to the transmission / reception process 7c and the communication pattern analysis unit 801. The unauthorized access prevention unit 1201 receives an alarm from the agent 3b to which a correct communication pattern has been added from the transmission / reception process 7c, and sends the correct communication pattern to the communication pattern analysis unit 801. Reference numeral 1202 denotes an erroneous communication prevention unit of the agent 4b. The erroneous communication prevention unit 1003 shown in the eighth embodiment has a function of transmitting a correct communication pattern to the transmission / reception process when an error occurs.

Next, in the operation of FIG. 16 in the eighth embodiment, the request for the communication operation Y transmitted from the transmitting station 1 to the agent 3b is transmitted in the communication pattern storage unit 1002 of the agent 3b with the correct communication pattern. The operation when the operation sequence does not match will be described based on the operation sequence in FIG.

Steps S1101 to S110 in FIG.
7, the request for the communication operation Y received from the transmitting station 1 is compared with the communication operation procedure of the communication pattern stored in the communication pattern storage unit 1002 of the agent 3b. Reference numeral 1202 reads a correct communication pattern from the communication pattern storage unit 1002, notifies an error and sends the correct communication pattern to the transmission / reception process 7f (step S130).
1). When the transmission / reception process 7f receives the notification of an error, the transmission / reception process 7f adds a correct communication pattern to the alarm and transmits the alarm to the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2 (step S1302).

The transmitting / receiving process 7c of the transmitting station 1
When an alarm is received, the unauthorized access prevention unit 1201
(Step S1)
303). The unauthorized access prevention unit 1201 extracts a communication pattern and sends it to the communication pattern analysis unit 801 (step S1304). In the communication pattern analysis unit 801, FIG.
By performing steps S1001 to S1007 of step 4, the correct protocol conversion format is reset and registered in the protocol conversion format registration unit 12 (step S1305).

As described above, in the case of the wrong communication pattern, the correct communication pattern is sent from the agent 3b, and the transmitting station 1 analyzes the correct communication pattern and resets the protocol conversion format to set the protocol conversion format storage unit. 12, it is possible to prevent the erroneous operation from being performed continuously due to the correction even if the wrong protocol conversion format is set once.

Embodiment 10 FIG. FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a management system according to Embodiment 10 of the present invention.
The management system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is provided with format conversion means for converting the format of management information transmitted / received to / from the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2.

In the figure, reference numeral 1401a denotes a format correspondence rule storage unit of the transmission station 1, which stores a correspondence rule between a format of local management information in the transmission station 1 and a general-purpose format commonly used for transmission and reception between management apparatuses. Have. Reference numeral 1402a denotes a format conversion unit of the transmission station 1, which is coupled to the manager 5a and the format correspondence rule storage unit 1401a, and performs conversion between the local format and the general-purpose format of the management information based on the correspondence rules of the format correspondence rule storage unit 1401a. ing. The format correspondence rule storage unit 1
A format conversion unit 1403a includes the format conversion unit 1403a including the format conversion unit 401a and the format conversion unit 1402a. Reference numeral 1401b denotes a format correspondence rule storage unit of the reception station 2, which has a correspondence rule between a format of local management information of the reception station 2 and a general-purpose format commonly used for transmission and reception between management apparatuses. 1402b is a format conversion unit of the receiving station 2. The format correspondence rule storage unit 1401b and the format conversion unit 1402b constitute a format conversion unit 1403b of the receiving station 2.

Next, the operation when the transmitting station 1 collects the management information stored in the management information storage section 6b of the receiving station 2 will be described with reference to the operation sequence of FIG. The format of the management information stored in the management information storage section 6a of the transmitting station 1 is different from the format of the management information stored in the management information storage section 6b of the receiving station 2.

First, the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2 execute steps S101 to S104 in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment to determine a communication protocol for transmission and reception. The manager 5a transmits a management information collection request for the agent 3b to the receiving station 2 via the protocol conversion unit 13 and the transmission / reception process 7c (step S1501). The manager 5b of the receiving station 2 receives the collection request, and
b, and reads the management information from the
2b (step S1502).

The format conversion section 1402b converts the management information into a general-purpose format according to the corresponding rules in the format correspondence rule storage section 1401b, and then returns it to the manager 5b (step S1503). Manager 5
b transmits the management information in the general format to the transmitting station 1 via the transmitting / receiving process 7d (step S1).
504). In the receiving station 1, the transmitting / receiving process 7
c and the manager 5a via the protocol converter 13.
Acquires management information in the general format (step S
1505). The manager 5a sends the received general-purpose format management information to the format conversion unit 1402a (step S1506).

The format conversion section 1402a converts the management information from a general-purpose format to a local format in the transmitting station 1 based on the correspondence rules stored in the format correspondence rule storage section 1401a (step S1507). The converted management information of the local format is stored in the management information storage unit 6a by the manager 5a.
(Step S1508).

As described above, the format of the management information is different between the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2, and the received management information can be made the same as the local management information without knowing the format of the management information on the other side of transmission / reception. And management information can be shared and exchanged. Note that the same effect can be obtained even when the format conversion means is provided in the transmitting station 1 and the receiving station 2 of the second to ninth embodiments.

[0103]

In the management system according to the present invention, the first management device transmits a test command to the second management device according to a test case corresponding to a usable communication protocol, and the second management device responds to the test command. Communication protocol determining means for determining a communication protocol to be used for communication with the second management apparatus based on a response from the management apparatus, and communication protocol converting means for performing communication protocol conversion according to the communication protocol determining means. .

The first management device transmits a test command to an agent managed by the second management device according to a test case corresponding to a usable communication protocol,
Communication protocol determining means for determining a communication protocol to be used for communication with the agent managed by the second management apparatus based on a response from the agent managed by the second management apparatus to the test command; and Communication protocol conversion means for converting the communication protocol.

Further, the test case includes a test command corresponding to the communication protocol, and a response transmitted from the second management device or an agent managed by the second management device when the test command operates normally. , And a wait time for a response.

As a result, the communication protocol between the first management device and the agent under the management thereof is different from the communication protocol between the second management device and the agent under the management thereof. Even if the first management device does not know the protocol, if the first management device has a conversion format of the communication protocol between the second management device and the agent under the management, the communication protocol is determined and the second management device is determined. Alternatively, it can communicate with an agent managed by the second management device, and can exchange and share management information.

The first management device and the second management device transmit and receive a protocol type list including information on usable communication protocols to and from each other, thereby determining communication protocol to be used for communication. And a communication protocol conversion means for converting the communication protocol in accordance with the communication protocol determination means.

As a result, the communication protocol between the first management device and the agent under the management thereof is different from the communication protocol between the second management device and the agent under the management thereof. Even if the first management device does not have a communication protocol between the second management device and the agent under its management without knowing the protocol, the first management device and the second management device share the same communication protocol. If the conversion format is used, communication can be performed, and management information can be exchanged and shared. Further, the communication protocol can be determined earlier than in the case of the test case.

The agents managed by the first management device and the second management device determine a communication protocol to be used for communication by mutually transmitting and receiving a protocol type list including information on usable communication protocols. It has communication protocol determination means, and the first management device further has communication protocol conversion means for performing communication protocol conversion in accordance with the communication protocol determination means.

As a result, the communication protocol between the first management device and the agent under the management thereof is different from the communication protocol between the second management device and the agent under the management thereof. Even if the protocol is not known, the first management device and the agent managed by the second management device can communicate with each other, and the communication protocol can be determined earlier than in the case of the test case.

Further, the first management device has program transmission means for transmitting a communication program corresponding to a usable communication protocol to the second management device, and the second management device stores the received communication program therein. It has a means for porting a program.

As a result, the communication protocol between the first management device and the agent under the management thereof is different from the communication protocol between the second management device and the agent under the management thereof. Even if the first management device and the second management device do not have a common communication protocol without knowing the protocol, they can communicate with each other, and can exchange and share management information.

Further, the first management device intercepts and stores communication information between the second management device and the agent managed by the second management device, extracts a communication pattern from the communication information, and converts the communication pattern into a communication pattern. Communication protocol estimation means for estimating the communication protocol based on, and transmits a test command to the second management device according to a test case corresponding to the communication protocol estimated by the communication protocol estimation means,
A communication protocol determining means for determining a communication protocol to be used based on the response, and a communication protocol converting means for converting the communication protocol in accordance with the communication protocol determining means.

Thus, since the communication protocol can be estimated in advance from the intercepted communication information, the first management device can quickly determine the communication protocol for communicating with the second management device.

Further, the first management device includes an input / output means for outputting the intercepted communication information and inputting an instruction from the administrator, and for testing the intercepted communication information in accordance with the instruction from the administrator. And communication protocol setting means for storing the communication pattern in the communication protocol estimation means in accordance with the instruction from the communication protocol conversion means and storing the communication protocol conversion format in the communication protocol conversion means.

Thus, even if the first management device and the second management device do not have a common communication protocol, the first management device can be added to the second management device by analyzing the intercept information. The conversion format of the communication protocol between the management device and the agent under the management can be set, communication between the management devices becomes possible, and management information can be exchanged and shared.

Further, the agent managed by the second management device transmits an alarm to the second management device when the communication operation request transmitted from the first management device is incorrect, thereby preventing erroneous communication. Means.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the agent under the management of the second management device from performing an erroneous operation due to an erroneous communication operation from the first management device.

Further, the agent managed by the second management device transmits an alarm and a correct communication pattern to the first management device when the communication operation request transmitted from the first management device is incorrect. The first management device has an unauthorized access prevention unit that notifies the communication protocol setting unit of the communication pattern.

As a result, the first management device can set the correct communication protocol conversion format according to the correct communication pattern, and can prevent erroneous communication operations from being performed continuously.

The first management device and the second management device have format conversion means for converting management information from a local format to a common general-purpose format for transmission and reception, and converting the general-purpose format to a local format.

Thus, even if the management information formats of the first management device and the second management device are different, the management information can be exchanged and shared between the management devices.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation flow of the management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a management system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a list of protocol types of transmitting stations.

FIG. 6 is a list of protocol types of receiving stations.

FIG. 7 is an operation sequence of the management system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a management system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a management system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an operation sequence of the management system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a management system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an operation sequence of the management system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a management system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an operation sequence of the management system according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a management system according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an operation sequence of the management system according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a management system according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an operation sequence of the management system according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a management system according to Embodiment 10 of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an operation sequence of the management system according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a conventional management system.

FIG. 22 is an operation sequence of a conventional management system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 transmitting station (first management device), 2 receiving station (second management device), 3 agent, 4 transmission line, 10 communication protocol determination means (using test case), 14 communication protocol conversion means, 203 ( Communication protocol determination means, 403 program transmission means, 406 program porting means, 604 communication protocol estimation means, 802 input / output device (input / output means) 804 communication protocol setting means, 1004 false communication prevention means, 1201 Unauthorized access prevention unit (unauthorized access prevention unit), 1403 format conversion unit

Claims (11)

[Claims] A first management device for requesting transmission and reception of management information; a second management device for transmitting and receiving management information in accordance with the request; and a first management device and the second management device. In a management system having a transmission path to be connected and an agent managed by the second management device, the first management device may execute a test command according to a test case corresponding to an available communication protocol in the second management device. Communication protocol determining means for transmitting to the device and determining a communication protocol to be used for communication with the second management device by a response from the second management device to the test command, and a communication protocol according to the communication protocol determining means And a communication protocol conversion means for performing the conversion of the communication protocol. 2. A first management device for requesting transmission and reception of management information, a second management device for transmitting and receiving management information in accordance with the request, and the first management device and the second management device. In a management system having a transmission path to be connected and an agent managed by the second management device, the first management device may execute a test command according to a test case corresponding to an available communication protocol in the second management device. A communication protocol to be transmitted to an agent managed by the device and used for communication with an agent managed by the second management device based on a response from the agent managed by the second management device to the test command. Communication protocol determining means for performing communication protocol conversion in accordance with the communication protocol determining means. A management system comprising a col conversion unit. 3. The test case includes a test command corresponding to a communication protocol, and a response transmitted from the second management device or an agent managed by the second management device when the test command operates normally. The management system according to claim 1, further comprising information of a waiting time for waiting for the response. 4. A first management device for requesting transmission and reception of management information, a second management device for transmitting and receiving management information in accordance with the request, and the first management device and the second management device. In a management system having a transmission line to be connected and an agent managed by the second management device, the first management device and the second management device each include a protocol type list including information on usable communication protocols. A communication system comprising: a communication protocol determining unit that determines a communication protocol to be used for communication by mutually transmitting and receiving a communication protocol; and a communication protocol converting unit that performs communication protocol conversion according to the communication protocol determining unit. 5. A first management device for requesting transmission and reception of management information, a second management device for transmitting and receiving management information in accordance with the request, and the first management device and the second management device. In a management system having a transmission line to be connected and an agent managed by the second management device, an agent managed by the first management device and the agent managed by the second management device is information on a usable communication protocol. Having a communication protocol determining means for determining a communication protocol to be used for communication by mutually transmitting and receiving a protocol type list consisting of: the first management device performs communication protocol conversion according to the communication protocol determining means. A management system comprising communication protocol conversion means. 6. A first management device for requesting transmission and reception of management information, a second management device for transmitting and receiving management information according to the request, and the first management device and the second management device. In a management system having a transmission path to be connected and an agent managed by the second management device, the first management device transmits a communication program corresponding to an available communication protocol to the second management device. A management system, wherein the second management device includes a program porting unit for porting the received communication program therein. 7. A first management device for requesting transmission and reception of management information, a second management device for transmitting and receiving management information according to the request, and the first management device and the second management device. In a management system having a transmission path to be connected and an agent managed by the second management device, the first management device is managed by the second management device and the second management device. A communication protocol estimating unit that intercepts and stores communication information with the agent, extracts a communication pattern from the communication information, and estimates a communication protocol based on the communication pattern, and corresponds to the communication protocol estimated by the communication protocol estimating unit. A test command is transmitted to the second management device according to the test case that has been set, and a response for determining a communication protocol to be used based on the response is transmitted. A management system comprising: a communication protocol determining unit; and a communication protocol converting unit configured to convert a communication protocol according to the communication protocol determining unit. 8. A first management device, comprising: input / output means for outputting intercepted communication information and inputting an instruction from a manager; testing the communication information in accordance with an instruction from the manager; 8. A communication protocol setting means for storing a communication pattern in a communication protocol estimation means in accordance with an instruction from a user and for storing a communication protocol conversion format in the communication protocol conversion means.
The management system described. 9. The agent managed by the second management device, if the communication operation request transmitted from the first management device is incorrect, sends an alarm to the second management device. 9. The management system according to claim 7, further comprising prevention means. 10. The agent managed by the second management device, if the communication operation request transmitted from the first management device is incorrect, sends an alarm and a correct communication pattern to the first management device. 9. The management system according to claim 8, further comprising transmission error preventing means, and wherein the first management device includes an unauthorized access preventing means for notifying the communication protocol setting means of the communication pattern. 11. The first management device and the second management device have format conversion means for converting management information from a local format to a common general-purpose format in transmission and reception, and converting the general-purpose format to the local format. The management system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: