TWI586123B - Network switch, device management system, and device management method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Network switch, device management system and device management method thereof

The present invention relates to a network management method, and in particular to a network switch, a device management system, and a device management method thereof.

With the rapid development of technology, a wide variety of electronic devices are becoming more and more popular. In order to achieve the purpose of resource sharing, the network becomes a necessary equipment for information exchange, which has led to the rapid growth of commercial and home networking devices (for example, smart phones, smart cameras, wireless sharing devices, smart TVs, etc.). Among them, due to the characteristics of fast exchange of information, network switches become the key equipment for network information exchange.

On the other hand, with the rapid growth of commercial and home networking devices, it is difficult for network administrators to centrally manage various devices, and it is impossible to know the problem of the device in real time. In addition, in conventional network switches, network configuration settings can be provided to control the coupled networked devices. However, the conventional network switch can only provide a Command-Line Interface (CLI) and a Webpage User Interface (Web UI), so that professionals who need to know not only network related technologies are required. To set up, it is necessary to set up all the connected devices in the environment through complicated operations. In addition to the network configuration settings, the conventional command line interface and Web UI will cause problems for the general public and even the network administrators in terms of performance control or troubleshooting for each networked device.

The present invention provides a network switch, a device management system, and a device management method thereof, by embedding a networked network management system (NMS) and a device management system (Device Management System; DMS), so that network administrators and even the general public can easily control networked devices.

The invention provides a network switch, which comprises a communication module, a storage unit and a processing unit. The communication module is used to transmit and receive signals. The storage unit is used to store the module. The processing unit is coupled to the communication module and the storage unit, and accesses and executes the module recorded by the storage unit. These modules include a device management module and a management interface module. The device management module performs device function operations through the communication module. The management interface module provides a graphical management interface. In response to the control operations on the graphical management interface, the device management module performs device function operations corresponding to the control operations.

In an embodiment of the invention, the device management module generates a control signal corresponding to the control operation based on the network protocol, and transmits the control signal through a corresponding port in the communication module to perform device function operation. This control operation corresponds to a networked device or another network switch.

In an embodiment of the invention, the device function operation includes one or a combination of an information collection operation and a configuration setting operation. The device management module performs an information collection operation or a configuration setting operation on the networked device through the communication module to obtain related information of the networked device or set a networked device corresponding to the control operation. In addition, the management interface module presents relevant information of the networked device through the graphical management interface.

In an embodiment of the invention, the graphical management interface provides one or a combination of a topology mode, a floor mode, and a map mode. In response to the control operation, one of the management interface module transmission modes presents related information of the networked device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the related information packet network address information of the networked device. The device management module executes a script program based on the network address, and performs an information collection operation or a configuration setting operation through the script program.

In an embodiment of the invention, the device function operation described above includes a node search operation. The device management module performs a node search operation based on the networked device corresponding to the control operation, and generates a control signal including an alert control command. The alert control command is used to control the networked device to perform the alert action.

In an embodiment of the invention, the device function operation described above includes a system login operation. The device management module performs a system login operation to log in to the networked device through the communication module and to proxy the management system of the networked device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the module further includes a file access module. The file access module is configured to provide the networked device to access the file in the storage unit via the communication module.

The present invention also provides a device management method suitable for a network switch having a communication module. The network switch is directly or indirectly coupled to the networked device. The device management method includes the following steps. Provide a graphical management interface. In response to the control operation on the graphical management interface, the device functions corresponding to the control operation are performed through the communication module. And this control operation corresponds to a networked device or another network switch.

In an embodiment of the invention, the performing the function operation of the device corresponding to the control operation by the communication module includes the following steps. A control signal corresponding to the control operation is generated based on the network protocol, and the control signal is transmitted through the corresponding port in the communication module to perform device function operation.

In an embodiment of the invention, the device function operation includes one or a combination of an information collection operation and a configuration setting operation, and performing a device function operation corresponding to the control operation through the communication module includes the following steps. The information collection operation or the configuration setting operation is performed on the networked device corresponding to the control operation through the communication module to obtain related information of the networked device or a networked device corresponding to the control operation. Presenting information about networked devices through a graphical management interface.

In an embodiment of the invention, the graphical management interface provides one or a combination of a topology mode, a floor mode, and a map mode, and performing a device function operation corresponding to the control operation through the communication module includes the following steps. In response to the control operation, one of the transmission modes presents information about the networked device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the related information of the networked device includes network address information, and performing device function operations corresponding to the control operation through the communication module includes the following steps. Execute the script based on the network address. Perform information collection operations or configuration setting operations through a script program.

In an embodiment of the invention, the device function operation includes a node search operation, and performing a device function operation corresponding to the control operation through the communication module includes the following steps. A node search operation is performed based on the networked device corresponding to the control operation, and a control signal including an alert control command is generated. In response to receiving the alert control command, the networked device performs the alert action.

In an embodiment of the invention, the device function operation includes a system login operation, and performing a device function operation corresponding to the control operation through the communication module includes the following steps. Perform a system login operation to log in to the networked device through the communication module. The management system of the agent networked device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the network switch includes a storage unit, and the device management method further includes the following steps. Providing the networked device to access the file in the storage unit via the communication module.

The invention further provides a device management system comprising a networked device and a network switch. The network switch is directly or indirectly coupled to the networked device. Each network switch provides a graphical management interface. In response to control operations on the graphical management interface, each network switch performs device function operations corresponding to control operations. And this control operation corresponds to a networked device or another network switch.

Based on the above, the network switch, the device management system, and the device management method thereof are provided in the embodiment of the present invention, and the graphical management interface is embedded therein to facilitate the operation of the network administrator. In addition, the network switch detects configuration settings or control operations of the networked device on the graphical management interface, and performs a plurality of device functions on the selected networked device or another network switch.

The above described features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

1 is a schematic diagram of a device management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the device management system 100 includes one or more networked devices 110 and one or more network switches 150. It should be noted that the networked device 110 and the network switch 150 are not limited to the number shown in FIG. 1. The embodiment of the present invention can be changed according to requirements.

The networking device 110 can be an electronic device such as a computer, a wireless sharer, a server, a smart phone, a display device, a smart camera, a router, a network switch, etc., which can be based on at least one network protocol (eg, an internet protocol (eg, an internet protocol) Internet Protocol; IP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), etc., and another networked device 110 and network switch 150 for data transmission or connection to the Internet network.

2 is a block diagram of the network switch 150. The network switch 150 includes at least a communication module 151, a storage unit 153, and a processing unit 155. The communication module 151 supports at least the IEEE 802.3/ab/u/x/z Ethernet standard and includes one or several ports 151_1~151_N, where N is a positive integer. Each port 151_1~151_N may include RJ45 or fiber (eg, small pluggable) that supports 10, 100 megabits per second (Mbps) and/or 1, 10 terabits per second (Gbps) transmission rate (eg, small pluggable (Small Form-factor Pluggable; SFP)) and other interfaces. The networked devices 110 can be directly or indirectly connected to the network switch 150 via ports 151_1 ～ 151_N, respectively. It should be noted that the communication module 151 may also support the standards of the IEEE 802.1Q/p/X/D/w/AB, which may be changed according to different design requirements, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. The indirect connection indicates that devices such as the network switch 150 or the router may be connected in series between the network device 110 and the network switch 150.

The storage unit 153 can be any type of fixed or removable random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory or the like. Or a combination of the above elements. In this embodiment, the storage unit 153 is used to record software programs such as the device management module 153_1, the management interface module 153_3, and the file access module 153_5, to obtain related information of the unknown networked device 110, or to set an unknown networked device. A script program of 110, a web server program, information about the networked device 110, and various types of data files. A detailed description of each of the modules 153_1, 153_3, and 153_5, the script program, and the web server program will be described later.

The processing unit 155 is connected to the communication module 151 and the storage unit 153, and may be a central processing unit (CPU), or other programmable general purpose or special purpose microprocessor (Microprocessor), digital signal. A digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable controller, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or the like or a combination of the above. In the embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit 155 is configured to execute all the operations of the network switch 150, and can access and execute the modules recorded in the storage unit 153.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the operation flow of the embodiment of the present invention, the device management method of the device management system 100 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method for managing a device according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the method of this embodiment is applicable to the networked device 110 and the network switch 150 of FIG. Hereinafter, the methods described in the embodiments of the present invention will be described in terms of components and modules in the networked device 110 and the network switch 150. The various processes of the method can be adjusted accordingly according to the implementation situation, and are not limited thereto.

In step S310, the management interface module 153_3 of the network switch 150 provides a graphical management interface. Specifically, the management interface module 153_3 is, for example, a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server (or a web server) (for example, an Apache server or an Internet Information Server (Internet Information Server); IIS), etc.) to provide a web interface to a network switch via a connection interface such as 151_1~151_N, RS-232 serial port or Universal Serial Bus (USB) or via internet connection Other electronic devices of 150 (eg, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, etc.) or a networked device 110. And the networked device 110 or the electronic device can execute a web browser (or other related programs based on HTTP protocol, Telnet or Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) protocol) and input specific Network URL (for example, IP address, nickname, etc.) to load this graphical management interface.

The graphical management interface may also be adjusted according to the specifications or size supported by the display unit on the connecting device (for example, the management interface module 153_3 detects the user's adjustment to the size of the graphical management interface), and the dynamic Change its size or layout configuration. For example, the graphical management interface may have a mobile phone interface, a tablet interface, and a computer interface.

It should be noted that the management interface module 153_3 may also launch any other graphical user interface (UI) program for the network device 110 or other electronic device to execute a specific program to load the graphical management interface. In addition, the management interface module 153_3 of the embodiment of the present invention is embedded in the network switch 150. In other words, the network switch 150 can provide a graphical management interface directly without additional programming. In this way, for the general public, the cumbersome program installation steps are omitted. On the other hand, the management interface module 153_3 also provides a command line interface and a textual interface, thereby making the setting mode of the operator more flexible.

In an embodiment, the device function operation provided by the management module 153_1 includes an information collection operation. The device management module 153_1 can perform an information collecting operation on the networked device 110 through the communication module 151 to obtain related information of the networked device 110. The management interface module 153_3 presents related information of the networked device 110 through the graphical management interface.

Specifically, the device management module 153_1 is based on a communication protocol corresponding to the networked device 110 (for example, Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), UPnP, Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP), Open Network Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF), Network Basic Input/Output System (NetBIOS), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), etc. The module 151 communicates with the networked device 110 or other network switch 150 via the corresponding ports 151_1~151_N, to the networked device 110 or other network switch 150 on all links associated with the network switch 150. Scan to obtain device information such as device name (eg device name, model number, code number, device type, Power over Ethernet (PoE) information, etc.), coupling information (eg, nickname, etc.) , network configuration (Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN), IP address or media Access control (Media Access Control; MAC) address, etc.) and other related information.

It should be noted that the device management module 153_1 may perform information collection operations periodically (for example, every minute, every hour, etc.) or according to a specific event (for example, an abnormality occurs in the networked device 110 on the link, etc.). In addition, according to different design requirements, the embodiment of the present invention may change the type of the communication protocol or the related information of the networked device 110.

In an embodiment, the graphical management interface provides one or a combination of a topology mode, a floor mode, and a map mode. In response to the control operations on the graphical management interface (eg, any user interface operations such as clicking, selecting, dragging, double clicking, information input, etc.), the management interface module 153_3 presents the networked device 110 through one of the modes. relevant information. The graphical management interface is, for example, a mode option that provides one or a combination of a topology mode, a floor mode, and a map mode. The management interface module 153_3 can detect the control operation corresponding to the mode option to present the selected mode on the graphical management interface.

For example, Figure 4A is an example of a topology mode. Referring to FIG. 4A, in response to the control operation being a topology selection mode, the management interface module 153_3 may establish a topology diagram of the network switch 150 based on the related information of the networked device 110 obtained by the information collection operation. And presented in topology map page 410. Network switch 150 can be presented via diagram 411, and networked device 110 can be presented via diagrams 413_1-413_8, respectively. The icon 411 and the illustrations 413_1 to 413_8 can determine the pattern according to the device information. The management interface module 153_3 can detect the control operations (eg, click operations) on the icon 411 and the illustrations 413_1 to 413_8 to further provide device function options corresponding to the selected icons. The related information 415 (eg, device name, model number, IP address, port, etc.) of the network switch 150 and the networked device 110 may also be presented on the topology map page 410. In addition, in response to the control operation of the information disclosure option 417 (eg, a check operation), the management interface module 153_3 can be presented in the network switch 150 and the related information 415 of the networked device 110 based on the selection on the information disclosure option 417. The information you need. Thereby, the coupling relationship and the deployment relationship of all the networked devices 110 and the network switch 150 can be clearly known through the topology, thereby facilitating the network administrator to further set or control the networking device 110 and the network switch 150.

Fig. 4B is an example of a floor mode. Referring to FIG. 4B, in response to the control operation being the selection of the floor mode, the management interface module 153_3 may establish the floor page 430 based on the related information of the networked device 110 obtained by the information collection operation. The management interface module 153_3 may first provide a floor plan 431 and receive control operations of the user on the floor page 430 (eg, set the location of the network switch 150 and the networked device 110 on the floor plan 431). Next, icons 433 and 435_1 to 435_8 corresponding to the network switch 150 and the networked device 110, respectively, may be presented in the floor page 430. In this way, the network administrator can immediately find out where and where the device is located.

In addition, FIG. 4C is an example of a map mode. Referring to FIG. 4C, in response to the control operation being the selection of the floor mode, the management interface module 153_3 may establish a map page 450 based on the related information of the networked device 110 obtained by the information collection operation. The related information may include location information of the networked device 110 and the network switch 150 (eg, Global Positioning System (GPS) location, latitude and longitude, etc.), which may also be input via the input operation of the receiving user. Information to get. Alternatively, the management interface module 153_3 can receive a location setting operation of the user on the map page 450 for the networked device 110 and the network switch 150. The management interface module 153_3 loads the electronic map 451 via an electronic map engine (for example, Google map, Bing map, Here map, etc.) so that the corresponding icons 453_1 ～ 453_4 of the networked device 110 and the network switch 150 are presented on the electronic map. 451. Thereby, the network administrator can immediately find the actual location of the networked device 110.

It can be seen that the management interface module 153_3 can provide the intuitive operation interface to the network administrator through different presentation modes, so as to facilitate a large number of management of various network devices 110. In addition, each of the topology map page 410, the floor page 430, and the map page 450 can be used for mapping (for example, stored as a picture file such as a JPG, SVG, etc.) to facilitate subsequent application by the network administrator. It should be noted that the graphics, characters, and positions on the topology page 410, the floor page 430, and the map page 450 are for illustrative purposes only, and may be changed by applying the embodiments of the present invention according to different design requirements.

In addition, the management interface module 153_3 also provides a search function through a graphical management interface. The management interface module 153_3 can receive input operations for specific characters such as device name, IP address, floor number, etc., to filter related information of the networked device 110, and present the filtered result on the graphical management interface.

For example, Figure 5 is an example of a filter program interface. Referring to FIG. 5, the management interface module 153_3 can receive the selection of the floor option 510 (for the floor page 430 of FIG. 4B) and the device option 530 in the filter interface 500, and present the selected filtering result in the device presentation area 550. . Information about the networked device 110 and the network switch 150 can be presented in the device presentation area 550. Then, the management interface module 153_3 can receive an input operation of the filter condition 540 in the filter program interface 500 to further present the filter result in the device presentation area 550. For example, if the filter condition 540 is input as "IP Camera", only the device information 551 and 553 corresponding to the Internet camera will be presented in the device presentation area 550.

In addition to the related information of the networked device 110, the device management module 153_1 can further perform flow control on each networked device 110. The device management module 153_1 records the uplink and downlink network speeds and flows of the ports 151_1 ～ 151_N and the networked device 110 in different monitoring time intervals of weeks, hours, minutes, and the like. The management interface module 153_3 can display the traffic of different networked devices 110 in a specific time interval (for example, one day, one week, etc.) by the bar graph, so that the network administrator can quickly understand the problem, thereby preventing problems such as violent downloading. In addition, the device management module 153_1 can also detect the connection status of the network switch 150 and each of the networked devices 110 or all the links associated with the networked device 110, and the management interface module 153_3 quickly reacts the connection status to Graphical management interface (for example, presenting anomalous links with specific icons, lines, text, or images) to allow network administrators to find problems as quickly as possible.

In the foregoing information collecting operation, since the device management module 153_1 knows the communication protocol or setting mode corresponding to the networked device 110, the related information required can be obtained. In other words, for the unknown networked device 110 or another unknown network switch, the device management module 153_1 may not know which communication protocol or setting method is used to obtain the related information of the unknown networked device 110. The information collection operation for the unknown networked device 110 will be further explained below.

In one embodiment, the network device 110 has associated packet network address information (eg, MAC address, IP address, etc.). The device management module 153_1 executes a script program based on the network address, and performs an information collecting operation through the script program. Specifically, the device management module 153_1 can send an ARP query through the communication module 151 to learn the MAC address of the unknown network device 110, and search for the corresponding script program based on the MAC address to the storage unit 153. For example, the device management module 153_1 can learn the device label based on the MAC address (for example, the first three codes of the MAC address represent the device label), and search for the script corresponding to the device label. The script can retrieve specific files, data or information from the unknown networked device 110, and the device management module 153_1 can further analyze the files, data or information to obtain related information of the unknown networked device 110. Accordingly, the unknown networked device 110 or another unknown network switch can be incorporated into the topology of the network switch 150.

Next, in step S330, in response to the control operation corresponding to the networked device 110 on the graphical management interface, the device management module 153_1 performs a device function operation corresponding to the control operation through the communication module 151. In other words, in actual operation, the user can directly perform control operations on the icon or text corresponding to the networked device 110 on the graphical management interface to perform device function operations. In this embodiment, the device management module 153_1 generates a control signal corresponding to the control operation based on the network protocol, and transmits the control signal through the corresponding ports 151_1~151_N in the communication module 151 to perform device function operations.

In particular, the device management module 153_1 can provide various device function operations for different networked devices 110. Since the device management module 153_1 performs the device function operation on the networked device 110 through the communication module 151, the device management module 153_1 needs to operate via the device function and the network protocol supported by the network device 110 (for example, IP, ONVIF, UPnP, etc.) Or a specific setting mode communicates with the networked device 110, and accordingly generates a corresponding control signal. The networked device 110 can react to the control signals and accept the device functions of the network switch 150.

In an embodiment, the device function operation includes a configuration setting operation. The device management module 153_1 performs a configuration setting operation on the networked device 110 through the communication module 151 to set the networked device 110 corresponding to the control operation. These configuration settings may be used for VLAN, IP, Secure Shell (SSH), Remote Authentication Dial In User Service (RADIUS), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). The DHCP configuration, the Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP), and the like, are not limited thereto. For the unknown networking device 110, the device management module 153_1 can also perform a configuration setting operation in a specific negotiation program through the foregoing script program.

The management interface module 153_3 detects the control operations of the networked device 110 and the network switch 150 on the graphical management interface. For example, a click operation on the graphs 411, 413_1 to 413_8 as shown in FIG. 4A is detected. The management interface module 153_3 can provide its corresponding device function options for the selected networked device 110 and network switch 150. In other words, different types of networked devices 110 may provide different device function options.

For example, Figure 6A is an example of device function options. Referring to FIG. 4A and FIG. 6A simultaneously, in response to the clicking operation of FIG. 4A in FIG. 4A, the management interface module 153_3 presents a device function page 610 corresponding to an IP camera. The device function page 610 can present related information 611 of the Internet camera such as device type, device name, model number, MAC address, IP address, http埠, PoE information, etc., and can also present such as login, diagnosis, streaming, restart Device options such as meters, meters, and notifications.

Figure 6B is another example of device function options. Referring to FIG. 4A and FIG. 6B simultaneously, in response to the click operation of the illustration 413_1 in FIG. 4A, the management interface module 153_3 presents a device function page 630 corresponding to another network switch 150. The device function page 630 can present related information 631 of another network switch 150 such as device type, device name, model number, MAC address, IP address, PoE information (eg, power supply or power consumption), or Device function options 633 such as login, lookup device, diagnostics, meter, and notification are presented. The following will be described in terms of various embodiments for the corresponding device function operations in device function options 613 and 633.

In an embodiment, the device function operation includes a node search operation. The device management module 153_1 generates a control signal including an alert control command based on the networked device 110 corresponding to the control operation. This alert control command is used to control the networking device 110 or another network switch 150 to perform an alerting action (eg, flashing lights, making a sound, etc.). For example, in response to the click operation of the "finding device" in the device function option 633 of FIG. 6B, the device management module 153_1 generates a light module for controlling the networked device 110 (for example, having at least one light emitting diode (Light) The alert control command of the Emitting Diode; LED)) is carried by the control signal and transmitted to the networked device 110. When the networked device 110 receives the alert control command, its light module can flash according to the alert control command. In addition, the device management module 153_1 may perform the same or similar node search operation on the other network switch 150 to cause the other network switch 150 to perform the alert behavior.

It should be noted that the networking device 110 or another network switch 150 may also include a display module (for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electro-luminescence display (OELD). Or one of or a combination of a vibration module (eg, a module including a vibration motor) or a speaker module (eg, a mono or stereo speaker), and corresponding warnings The behavior may be to display text, images, or images to indicate warnings, to generate vibrations such as fixed frequencies or varying frequencies, or to sound a beep. According to different design requirements, the embodiment of the present invention can design the warning module and the warning behavior of the networked device 110 by itself. Thereby, for an environment in which a large number of networked devices 110 and network switches 150 are deployed, the user can quickly find the networked device 110 by observing the alert behavior.

In another embodiment, the device function operation includes a system login operation. The device management module 153_1 performs a system login operation to log in to the networked device 110 through the communication module 151 and to proxy the management system of the networked device 110. For example, in response to the click operation of "login" in the device function option 633 of FIG. 6B, the device management module 153_1 generates login information (eg, account number, password, etc.) including the networked device 110 and other login related setting information. The control signal is transmitted and the control signal is transmitted to the networked device 110.

After logging in to the network device 110, if the network device 110 is another network switch 150, the management interface module 153_3 loads the graphical management interface of the other network switch 150 and establishes The other network switch 150 is the topology of the master, thereby achieving the proxy operation. In addition, the foregoing different presentation modes, node search operations, information collection operations, system login operations, and the like can also be controlled in the graphical management interface of another network switch 150, and the other network switch 150 is used as the network management device 150. The mode of the master terminal is carried out. If the networked device 110 is not another network switch 150, the management interface module 153_3 loads the management system of the networked device 110 itself. In other words, the user can operate the management system of the networked device 110 directly on the network switch 150 without connecting the connection line to another networked device 110.

In the application scenario, if the network switch 150 of the embedded management interface module 153_3 in the local area network fails, the system login operation can be performed on the normally operating network switch 150 to obtain a normal operation network. The router switch 150 corresponds to the topology map and performs management operations on the network switches 150 that have logged in.

In still another embodiment, the device function operations include problem debugging operations. For example, in response to the click operation of "diagnosis" in the device function option 613 of FIG. 6A, the device management module 153_1 monitors all links corresponding to the networked device 110 through the communication module 151 (directly or indirectly connected thereto) The communication path of the networked device 110 (for example, whether the connection is interrupted, the traffic is too large, etc.), and the management interface module 153_3 presents the link, all the networked devices 110 on the link, and the corresponding link states through the graphical management interface. . For example, the graphical management interface presents specific text, colors, or patterns to indicate an abnormal state.

In yet another embodiment, the device function operations include multimedia streaming operations. For example, in response to the "streaming" click operation in the device function option 613 of FIG. 6A, the device management module 153_1 transmits the multimedia corresponding to the networked device 110 (for example, an internet camera) through the communication module 151. Streaming control signals for related communication protocols. Then, the management interface module 153_3 can present the current captured image of the Internet camera on the graphical management interface. In other examples, the multimedia stream such as the individual sound or the image combined with the sound can be played through the multimedia streaming operation in the graphical management interface in the embodiment of the present invention.

In yet another embodiment, the device function operations include power management operations. For example, in response to the click operation of "restart" in the device function option 613 of FIG. 6A, the device management module 153_1 transmits a control signal corresponding to the PoE protocol of the networked device 110 via the communication module 151. Then, in response to the control signal, the networked device 110 will restart. In addition, power management such as shutdown, hibernation, wake-up, and the like may be implemented in the embodiments of the present invention. On the other hand, the device management module 153_1 can further obtain PoE related information (for example, power supply or power consumption, etc.) of the networked device 110 through the communication module 151.

It should be noted that the device function options of "Instrument" and "Notification" can provide performance (for example, speed, traffic, etc.) monitoring charts and specific events (for example, shutdown, excessive traffic, abnormal connection, abnormal power supply, network). Road attack, etc.) notification. Also. According to different design requirements, the implementer of the present invention can change the function of the device function and control the signal.

On the other hand, in an embodiment, the file access module 153_5 can provide the networked device 110 to access the file in the storage unit 153 via the communication module 151. Specifically, the file access module 153_5 can not only access the file access behavior of the existing file in the storage unit 153, but also store the file in the network switch 150. In the storage unit 153. For example, the map file of the topology map page 410 in FIG. 4A is stored in the storage unit 153. In other words, the network switch 150 as the master can share the files in the storage unit 153 to the networked device 110 or other network switches. When another network switch 150 changes from a slave end to a master (for example, logging in to its management system), the files in the storage unit 153 of the other network switch 150 can also be shared. The networked device 110 and the network switch 150 are provided.

In summary, the network switch, the device management system, and the device management method thereof are provided in the network switch, and the network management system (NMS) and device management with a graphical management interface are embedded in the network switch. The system (DMS) provides intuitive operation through the visual interface, which is convenient for network administrators to manage. The graphical management interface provides topology mode, floor mode and map mode, which reduces the difficulty of setting up and planning a large number of networked devices. In addition, corresponding device management options may be provided for different networked devices. In addition to the network configuration settings, many device management operations such as finding devices, logging systems, problem detection, etc. can be controlled on the graphical management interface for each networked device. On the other hand, the embodiments of the present invention may also share resources in the network switch. Accordingly, the functions of the fast detection, the simple operation, and the large amount of management generated by the embodiments of the present invention can bring conveniences to the network administrator.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some changes and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

100: Device management system 110: Networking device 150: Network switch 151: Communication module 151_1~151_N: Port 153: Storage unit 153_1: Device management module 153_3: Management interface module 153_5: File access module 155 Processing unit S310-S330: Step 410: Topology map pages 411, 413_1~413_8, 433, 435_1~435_8, 453_1~453_4: illustration

415‧‧‧Information on network switches and networked devices

417‧‧‧Information disclosure options

430‧‧‧Floor page

431‧‧‧Floor plan

450‧‧‧Map page

451‧‧‧Electronic map

500‧‧‧Filtering interface

510‧‧‧floor options

530‧‧‧ device options

540‧‧‧Filter conditions

550‧‧‧ device presentation area

551, 553‧‧‧ device information

610, 630‧‧‧ device function page

611‧‧‧Internet camera related information

613, 633‧‧‧ device function options

631‧‧‧Information about network switches

1 is a schematic diagram of a device management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the components of the network switch. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method for managing a device according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4A is an example of a topology mode. Fig. 4B is an example of a floor mode. 4C is an example of a map mode. Figure 5 is an example of a filter program interface. Figure 6A is an example of device function options. Figure 6B is another example of device function options.

100: Device Management System 110: Networked Device 150: Network Switch

Claims (15)

A network switch includes: a communication module for transmitting and receiving signals; a storage unit for storing a plurality of modules; and a processing unit coupled to the communication module and the storage unit, and accessing and executing the The modules recorded by the storage unit, the modules include: a device management module that performs at least one device function operation through the communication module; and a management interface module that provides a graphical management interface, wherein the modules The device management module performs the at least one device function operation corresponding to the control operation, wherein the control operation corresponds to at least one networked device or another network switch, wherein the control operation is performed on the graphical management interface, wherein the control operation corresponds to the at least one device or the other network switch The at least one device function operation includes one or a combination of an information collection operation and a configuration setting operation, and the device management module performs the information collection operation or the configuration on the at least one networked device through the communication module. Setting an operation to obtain related information of the at least one networked device or setting the at least one networked device corresponding to the control operation, and the management interface The group interface presents information about the at least one networked device through the graphical management. The network switch of claim 1, wherein the device management module generates a control signal corresponding to the control operation based on the at least one network protocol, and transmits a corresponding one of the communication modules. The control signal is transmitted to perform the at least one device function operation. The network switch of claim 2, wherein the graphical management interface provides one of a topology mode, a floor mode, and a map mode, or a combination thereof, in response to the control operation The management interface module presents the related information of the at least one networked device through one of the modes. The network switch of claim 2, wherein the related information of the at least one networked device includes a network address information, and the device management module executes a script based on the network address information ( Script) program, and the information collection operation or the configuration setting operation is performed by the script program. The network switch of claim 2, wherein the at least one device function operation comprises a node search operation, and the device management module performs the node search operation based on the at least one networked device corresponding to the control operation. And generating the control signal including an alert control command, wherein the alert control command is used to control the at least one networked device to perform an alert action. The network switch of claim 2, wherein the at least one device function operation comprises a system login operation, and the device management module performs the system login operation to log in the at least one through the communication module A networked device and a management system of the at least one networked device. The network switch of claim 2, wherein the modules further comprise: a file access module, wherein the at least one networked device accesses at least one of the storage units via the communication module file. A device management method is applicable to a network switch having a communication module, wherein the network switch directly or indirectly couples at least one networked device, and the device management method includes: providing a graphical management interface; and reacting Performing a control operation on the graphical management interface to perform at least one device function operation corresponding to the control operation through the communication module, wherein the control operation corresponds to the at least one networked device or another network switch, wherein The at least one device function operation includes one of an information collection operation and a configuration setting operation, and the step of performing, by the communication module, the function operation of the at least one device corresponding to the control operation comprises: transmitting the communication The module performs the information collection operation or the configuration setting operation on the at least one networked device to obtain related information of the at least one networked device or the at least one networked device corresponding to the control operation; and through the graphical management interface Presenting the related information of the at least one networked device. The device management method of claim 8, wherein the step of performing, by the communication module, the function operation of the at least one device corresponding to the control operation comprises: generating, corresponding to the control operation, based on the at least one network protocol And a control signal is transmitted through a corresponding one of the communication modules to perform the at least one device function operation. The device management method of claim 9, wherein the graphical management interface provides one of a topology mode, a floor mode, and a map mode, or a combination thereof, and is executed by the communication module. The step of controlling the at least one device function of the operation comprises: reacting to the controlling operation, and transmitting, by the one of the modes, the related information of the at least one networked device. The device management method of claim 9, wherein the related information of the at least one networked device includes a network address information, and the at least one device function operation corresponding to the control operation is performed through the communication module. The step of: executing a script program based on the network address information; and performing the information collection operation or the configuration setting operation through the script program. The device management method of claim 9, wherein the at least one device function operation comprises a node search operation, and the step of performing, by the communication module, the at least one device function operation corresponding to the control operation comprises: The at least one networked device corresponding to the control operation performs the node search operation to generate the control signal including an alert control command; and in response to receiving the alert control command, the at least one networked device performs an alert action. The device management method of claim 9, wherein the at least one device function operation comprises a system login operation, and the step of performing, by the communication module, the at least one device function operation corresponding to the control operation comprises: performing The system is logged in to log in to a networked device through the communication module; And a management system that delegates the networked device. The device management method of claim 9, wherein the network switch comprises a storage unit, and the device management method further comprises: providing the at least one networked device to access the storage unit via the communication module At least one file. A device management system, comprising: at least one networked device; and at least one network switch having a communication module directly or indirectly coupled to the at least one networked device, each of the at least one network switch providing a graphical management Interfacing, and in response to a control operation on the graphical management interface, each of the at least one network switch performing at least one device function operation corresponding to the control operation, wherein the control operation corresponds to the at least one networked device or another a network switch, wherein the at least one device function operation comprises one or a combination of an information collection operation and a configuration setting operation, and the information collection operation or the group is performed on the at least one networked device through the communication module The setting operation is performed to obtain information about the at least one networked device or to set the at least one networked device corresponding to the control operation, and the related information of the at least one networked device is presented through the graphical management interface.