JP2008027465A - Network management system, display method and network management program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in which it was difficult to know in which screen and where icons of desired network devices are placed. <P>SOLUTION: Link to the screens is associated with network devices and displayed. In addition, the icons, which indicate specified network devices, are highlighted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer network, and more particularly to a network device management system using network device management software for managing network devices connected to the computer network.

  This is a protocol for managing networks such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). Currently, it is not limited to a network based on TCP / IP, but is a network management protocol for networks based on protocols other than TCP / IP. Is also widely used.

  Usually, in network management based on SNMP, management is performed by accessing the MIB (Management Information Base) of the network device (agent) to be managed from the PC (manager) that manages the network device by using the SNMP protocol. Is done. The MIB has a tree-structured data structure, and an uniquely identifiable identifier called an object ID is assigned to all nodes. The structure of this MIB is called SMI (Structure for Management Information) and is defined in RFC1155 “Structure and Identification of Management Information TCP / IP-based Internets”.

  On the other hand, what is called a directory service is provided as a method for efficiently discovering and using various resources (printers, multifunction machines, servers, scanners, etc.) on a network. The directory service is a telephone directory related to the network, and is used for storing various information. Specific examples of the directory system include LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) defined by RFC1777 and NDS (Network Directory Service) of Novell. In an environment where the directory service cannot be used, it is also possible to search for a network device using SNMP broadcast.

  In a conventional network device management system, for example, a network device connected to a network is searched using SNMP / MIB or a directory service, and the status of the network device and various information set in the network device are displayed. Or change it.

  Recently, a user accesses a plurality of client PCs (client computers) via a web browser to network management information that is centrally managed on a server PC (server computer), and a list of network devices connected to the network. Web applications have been actively developed, such as browsing (lists) and browsing or changing the status of network devices and various information set in network devices. At this time, the Web server and the Web browser communicate with each other using HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol).

  As one function of such a Web application, there is a function of arranging and displaying an icon (device icon) indicating each network device on a virtual map so that the actual installation location of the network device to be managed can be understood. . In this specification, this function or a map created by this function is called a “device map”. This function is used when a network device error occurs (for example, a paper jam or out of paper) that requires a user or network administrator to go to the location of the managed network device and take countermeasures. It is effective in confirming the installation location.

  However, in the above conventional example, a list of network devices and one or a plurality of device maps created for each installation location are displayed irrelevantly. Therefore, when there are a plurality of device maps, a large number of device maps are displayed on the device map. When a device is arranged, it is difficult to check in which device map and in which position a desired network device is arranged.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an information acquisition means for acquiring information related to a network device and a list of information related to the network device in order to display information related to the network device (network device) connected to the network. A list display control means for controlling display and a screen (device map) representing a place where the network device is installed are displayed, and identification information (device icon) corresponding to the network device is arranged on the screen. Position display control means for controlling the display so as to display, the location display control means searches for a screen on which identification information of the designated network device is arranged, displays the corresponding screen, and applies It is controlled so that the identification information of the specified network device is highlighted on the screen. To.

  In the present invention, the location display control means displays the identification information of the designated network device by changing the color, blinking, expanding, or additionally adding information. It is characterized by controlling.

  In the present invention, the location display control means controls to display the network device identification information without emphasizing when the screen is displayed without designating a predetermined network device.

  The present invention also controls to display information related to network equipment and a list of information related to network equipment in order to display information related to network equipment (network devices) connected to the network. A list display control unit and a screen (device map) representing a place where the network device is installed are displayed, and control is performed so that identification information (device icon) indicating the network device is arranged and displayed on the screen. And a location display control unit, and when there is a screen on which the identification information of the network device is arranged, the list display control unit displays an association for displaying the corresponding screen in association with the network device. It is characterized by controlling as follows.

  In the present invention, the association information is a link to a corresponding screen.

  In the present invention, when the association is selected, the location display control means searches for a screen on which the identification information of the corresponding network device is arranged, and controls to display the corresponding screen. And

  Further, in the present invention, the list display control means generates data representing a list of information relating to network devices, transmits the generated data to an external device, and the location display control means includes the screen and the screen. And generating the data representing the identification information arranged in the network, and transmitting the generated data to an external device.

  In the present invention, there is provided search means for searching for a network device connected to a network, wherein the acquisition means acquires information about the network device from the network device found by the search means. .

  Further, according to the present invention, there is provided detailed display control means for controlling to display a detailed screen for displaying information relating to the designated network device when any network device is designated in the list of information relating to the network device. It is characterized by having.

  As described above, the present invention is characterized in that it is easy and easy for the user to display on which screen and in which position the identification information of the designated network device is arranged.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the identification information indicating the designated network device is displayed on which screen and at which position the identification information is displayed in a simple and easy-to-understand manner for the user.

  In addition, for each network device detected by the search, a link to a screen representing a map indicating the installation location of the network device is displayed in association with a list of network devices or a management page of the network device. It is possible to easily display a screen on which icons indicating network devices are arranged, and there is an effect that convenience for the user is improved.

  In addition, when the screen is displayed, the icon indicating the designated network device is highlighted, so that it is possible to identify where the network device is installed in the place represented by the screen. Thus, there is an effect that convenience for the user is improved.

  The operation of the network device management software according to the present invention and the network device management system based on the network device management software will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration in which a network device management system according to the present invention can operate. In FIG. 1, a network device to be managed, a server PC (server computer) for network management, and a client PC (client computer) for network management are all connected to the LAN 100.

  101a to 101c are color printers, 102a to 102d are monochrome printers, 103a to 103c are multifunction devices (devices having both a copy function, a fax function, and a printer function), and 104 is a scanner, each equipped with a network interface card or the like. Is connected to the LAN 100. The network device is not limited to these, and other devices that can be connected to the network may be used.

  These network devices are network devices that can be managed by a network device management system, can be searched by a method such as a directory service, and can acquire and set information by SNMP / MIB.

  105a to 105e are PCs (Personal Computers) connectable to the network. These PCs are PCs on which the network device management software according to the present invention can operate. In addition, when the network device management system according to the present invention is constructed by a Web server and a Web browser, the network device management software and the Web server run on any one server PC, and the other PC (client PC) ) Operates a Web browser. Then, when the Web browser accesses the network management software running on the server PC, the user can use the network device management system.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a PC capable of operating the network device management software according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes a PC on which the network device management software operates, and is equivalent to 105a to 105e in FIG. The PC 200 is stored in the ROM 202 or the HD (hard disk) 211, or is supplied from the FD (floppy (registered trademark) disk drive) 212, CD (CD-ROM drive) 213, or DVD (DVD-ROM drive) 214. CPU 201 for executing the network management software, and comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 204.

  Reference numeral 203 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. Reference numeral 205 denotes a KBC (keyboard controller) which controls an instruction input from a KB (keyboard) 209 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 206 denotes a CRTC (CRT controller) which controls display on a CRT (CRT display) 210. Reference numeral 207 denotes a DKC (disk controller) that controls access to the HD 211, FD 212, CD 213, and DVD 214 that store a boot program, various applications, editing files, user files, network management software, and the like.

  Reference numeral 208 denotes a NIC (network interface card) which exchanges data with other network devices via the LAN 100 in both directions.

  In all the descriptions below, unless otherwise noted, the execution subject is the CPU 201 on the hardware, and the software control subject is the network device management software installed in the HD (hard disk) 211.

  Hereinafter, examples of various screens displayed by the network device management system according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a device list (device list) displayed by the network device management system according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, in this example, among the network devices connected to the LAN 100 in FIG. 1, the color printer 101a, printers 102a and 102b, and multifunction peripherals 103a to 103c are displayed on the device list 300. Yes.

  In the device list, (1) network devices searched by the search procedure using MIB / SNMP by the network device management system, (2) some network devices selected from the searched network devices, (3) network device management Network devices registered manually in the system are displayed in a list format.

  In the figure, reference numeral 306 denotes a drop-down list box for switching the display format. Since “list” is currently selected, network devices are displayed in a list format. By selecting “map format” in the drop-down list box 306, a device map 500 or 600 described later can be displayed.

  Here, a device name 301, a product name 302, an installation location 303, and a network address 304 are displayed on the device list 300 as information of individual network devices.

  Further, a link 305 to the device map for displaying a device map in which an icon indicating the corresponding network device is arranged is displayed in the area of the installation location 303. In this example, a link 305 for displaying a device map of the arrangement destination is displayed on the color printer 101a, the multifunction machine 103c, and the printers 102a and 102b. This link is a button for displaying a device.

  In FIG. 3, specifically, information corresponding to 101a, 103a, 103b, 103c, 102a, and 102b in FIG. 1 is displayed in each row.

  When the user clicks the link 305, a device map corresponding to the link is displayed. For example, when a link 305 to a device map displayed in the area of the installation location 303 of the printer 102a is clicked in the device list 300, a device map 700 shown in FIG. 7 to be described later is displayed.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a display screen displayed when a specific network device is selected from the network devices displayed in the device list 300 of FIG. FIG. 4 is an example of a device management page displayed when the printer 102a is designated.

  In this example, the page mainly displays information for identifying the network device, but to display other information (error status, equipment information, network information, job information, etc.) It is also possible to switch to another page not shown.

  In FIG. 4, the device management page 400 displays a device name 401, an installation location 402, a toner cartridge model number 403, a product name 404, and the like as information relating to the printer 102a. Furthermore, in the area of the installation location 402, a link 405 to a device map in which an icon indicating the printer 102a is arranged is displayed. When the user clicks a link 405 to the device map, a device map 700 shown in FIG. 7 to be described later is displayed.

  However, this link is displayed only when the device map is arranged. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user from unnecessarily displaying the device map even if there is no corresponding device map.

  5 and 6 are examples of device maps displayed by the network device management system according to the present invention. In FIG. 5, among the network devices connected to the LAN 100 of FIG. 1, an icon indicating the printer 102, an icon indicating the multifunction peripheral 103c, and an icon for moving to another device map are arranged.

  In FIG. 6, among the network devices connected to the LAN 100 of FIG. 1, an icon indicating the color printer 101a, an icon indicating the printer 102b, and other icons for the device map are arranged. .

  In the figure, reference numerals 501 and 601 are drop-down list boxes for switching the display format for displaying network devices. By selecting “list format” in the drop-down list box 501 or 601, the device list 300 can be displayed.

  Reference numerals 502 and 602 denote drop-down list boxes for selecting a device map to be displayed. When “1st Floor” is selected, a device map corresponding to the first floor is displayed. Here, the device map 500 and the device map 600 can be switched in this drop-down list box.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a device map displayed by the network device management system according to the present invention. The difference from FIG. 5 is that the icon of the printer 102b is highlighted by being surrounded by a rectangle. That is, FIG. 7 is an example of a device map displayed when a link to a device map associated with an individual device is clicked.

  The device map 700 in FIG. 7 is the device map 300 shown in FIG. 3 when the link 305 to the device map displayed in the device information display area of the printer 102a is clicked, or the printer shown in FIG. This is displayed when the link 405 to the device map displayed on the device management page 400 of 102a is clicked.

  Here, highlighting is performed by enclosing it with a rectangle, but it may also be performed by changing a color, blinking, or enlarging an icon.

  Hereinafter, in the present invention, the processing for displaying the links 305 and 405 to the device map on the device list 300 shown in FIG. 3 and the device management page 400 shown in FIG. 4 and the device shown in FIG. A highlighting process of a device icon (an icon indicating a network device) in the map 700 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when a link 305 to a device map is displayed in the device list 300 illustrated in FIG.

  In the figure, in step S801, the value of a variable i for counting the number of devices displayed in the device list is initialized to 0, and the process proceeds to step S802. Note that the value of the variable i is an index value starting from 0 for referring to each network device in the processing described later.

  In step S802, the value of the variable i is compared with the number of devices displayed in the device list. If the value of the variable i is smaller than the number of devices, the process proceeds to step S803 (step S802: Yes), otherwise In this case, this process is terminated (step S802: No).

  In step S803, information regarding the network device (i-th network device) using the value of variable i as an index is displayed in the device information display area, and the process proceeds to step S804. The device information displayed here is information acquired from a network device when searching for a managed network device, such as a device name, a product name, an installation location, a network address, a MAC address, and the managed network device. Information held by the network device management system, such as printing speed and printing resolution. The displayed information may be changeable for each user.

  In step S804, a device map in which a network device having the value of the variable i as an index is arranged is searched according to the procedure shown in FIG. In step 894, when a device map in which an icon indicating a network device is arranged is searched, information (for example, device map ID) for identifying the arrangement destination device map is returned. To do.

  In step S805, it is determined whether or not a device map in which an icon indicating a network device is arranged is detected in step S804. If a device map is detected, the process proceeds to step S806 (step S805: Yes). In this case, the process proceeds to step S807 (step S805: No). Whether or not it has been detected can also be determined by whether or not information for identifying the device map has been returned.

  In step S806, based on the information for identifying the device map acquired in the processing of step S804, a link for displaying the device map indicated by the identification information is displayed in the device information display area.

  In step S807, the value of the variable i is incremented by 1, and the process proceeds to step S802.

  By doing so, information about the network device is displayed for each network device, and when an icon indicating the network device is arranged in any device map, a link to the device map is displayed. be able to.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when a device map link 405 is displayed on the device management page 400 illustrated in FIG. 4.

  In the figure, in step S901, information to be displayed on the device management page 400 is acquired from the network device that is the management target of the device management page, that is, the network device selected from the device list, using MIB / SNMP. In the example of FIG. 3, the device name 401, the installation location 402, the toner cartridge model number 403, the product name 404, and the like are acquired from the network device.

  In step S902, the information acquired from the device in step S901 is displayed. In step S903, a device map in which icons indicating network devices to be managed on the device management page are arranged is searched according to the procedure shown in FIG. In this process, when a device map in which a device icon is arranged is detected, information for identifying the detected device map (for example, an ID of the device map) is returned.

  In step S904, it is determined in step S903 whether a device map in which the device icon of the device to be managed on the device management page is arranged is detected. If a device map is detected, the process proceeds to step S905. (Step S904: Yes), otherwise, this process is terminated (Step S904: No).

  In step S905, a link for displaying the detected device map is displayed in the device information display area based on the information for identifying the device map acquired in the processing of step S903. In the example of the device management page 400 shown in FIG. 4, a device map link 405 is displayed in an area for displaying “installation location” in the device information display area.

  FIGS. 8 and 9 show the display processing of the network device management software when the network device management software is activated on each PC.

  However, when the network device management software and the Web server are started on the server PC and the Web browser started on each client PC accesses the network device management software on the server PC, the “display processing” in FIG. This means that the network device management software on the server PC embeds information to be displayed in a Web page provided to the Web browser via the Web server. In other words, when a Web page is described in a language such as HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) or XML (Extensible Markup Language), information about the network device and a link to the device map are described in the Web page. is there. The network device management software transmits the data of the created web page to the web browser via the web server.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for searching for a device map in which device icons are arranged, which is executed in step S804 of FIG. 8 and step S903 of FIG.

  In FIG. 10, in step S <b> 1001, information for identifying a network device to be processed in the process specified when the process is activated is stored. As information for identifying a network device, for example, a MAC address is generally used, but other identification information may be used.

  In step S1002, information (device map management information) for managing the device map created on the device map editing page is read. An example of the device map management information read here is shown in FIG. In the figure, what is shown at the left end of each line is a line number for concise explanation. In the figure, the number of device maps is on line 02, the ID and name of the first device map is on lines 04 to 06, and the ID and name of the second device map is on lines 08 to 10. Are stored.

  In this example, there are two device maps. The first device map has an ID of 1 and the name is “1st Floor”. The second device map has an ID of 2 and a name of “2nd Floor”. It can be seen that it is. The device map ID is used to identify the device map to be displayed when accessing the configuration information (device map configuration information) of each device map (to be described later) or clicking the link to the device map.

  In step S1003, the value of the variable m for counting the device map is initialized to zero. Note that the value of the variable m is an index value starting from 0 for referring to each device map in the processing described later.

  In step S1004, the value of the variable m is compared with the number of device maps. If the value of the variable m is smaller than the number of device maps, the process proceeds to step S1006 (step S1004: Yes), and otherwise. It progresses to step S1005 (step S1004: No).

  In step S1005, the fact that there is no device map in which the device icon of the designated network device is arranged is returned as the processing result, and this processing is terminated.

  In step S1006, a list of network devices arranged in the device map with the variable m as an index is acquired. Here, the configuration information (device map configuration information) of each device map is individually stored in a file that can be identified by the ID of the device map shown in FIG. Examples of individual device map configuration information are shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 13 shows the configuration information of the device map shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. In the figure, what is shown at the left end of each row is a row number for concise explanation. In the figure, the size of the device map is stored in the 01st line, and the name of the image file to be displayed as the background of the device map is stored in the 02nd line. Here, the image file displayed as the background of the device map is an image showing an overview of the installation location. For example, in the device map of FIG. 5, images showing desks, chairs, and passages are represented in the image file. By arranging an icon indicating the network device on the overview of the installation location indicated by the image file, it is easy to understand where the network device is installed in the room or building.

  In addition, information on various icons arranged on the device map is stored in the third and subsequent lines. In the 03th to 04th lines, information on map icons for jumping to other device maps is described. On the 05th to 06th and 07th to 08th lines, information of Web icons for jumping to other Web sites is described.

  Also, device icons for jumping to the device management page are described in lines 09-12 and 13-16. The device icon information saved in the 09th to 12th lines and the 13th to 16th lines stores information related to the device associated with the device icon, and the information stored here and saved in step S901. By comparing the information for identifying the network devices, it is possible to determine whether or not an icon indicating the network device to be processed is arranged on the device map. In addition, by counting the number of stored device icon information, the number of network devices arranged in the device map can be acquired.

  Further, each piece of information regarding the icon includes coordinate data (XPOSITION, YPOSTIONION) indicating a position to be arranged, a title (DEVICE TYPE, NAME, MODEL) displayed along with the icon.

  Similarly, FIG. 14 shows the configuration information of the device map shown in FIG. Line 01 stores the size of the device map, and line 02 stores the name of the image file to be displayed as the background of the device map.

  In addition, information on various icons arranged on the device map is stored in the third and subsequent lines. In the 03th to 04th lines, information on map icons for jumping to other device maps is described. On the 05th to 06th and 07th to 08th lines, information of Web icons for jumping to other Web sites is described.

  Also, device icons for jumping to the device management page are described in lines 09-12 and 13-16.

  The description of FIG. 10 is continued. In step S1007, the value of the variable n for counting the number of devices arranged in the device map with the variable m as an index is initialized to zero. Note that the value of the variable n is an index value starting from 0 for referring to individual network devices arranged in the device map having the variable m as an index in the processing described later.

  In step S1008, the value of the variable n is compared with the number of network devices arranged in the device map. If the value of the variable n is smaller than the number of network devices, the process proceeds to step S1010 (step S1008: Yes). In other cases, the process proceeds to step S1009 (step S1008: No).

  In step S1009, the value of the variable m is incremented by 1, and the process proceeds to step S1004.

  In step S1010, the network device information using the variable n as an index is compared with the device identification information stored in step S1001, and if the nth network device matches the designated network device, the process proceeds to step S1011. Advance (step S1010: Yes), otherwise proceed to step S1012 (step S1010: No).

  In step S1011, a search result indicating that there is a device map in which the designated network device is arranged and information for identifying the device map (for example, the ID of the device map) are returned as a processing result, and this processing is performed. finish.

  In step S1012, 1 is added to the value of variable n, and the flow advances to step S1008.

  Thus, when an icon indicating a network device is arranged in any device map, the device map of the arrangement destination is specified, and information for identifying the device map of the arrangement destination, for example, a device map ID is provided. be able to.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when the device map illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 is displayed. Here, an icon indicating a specific network device is also highlighted.

  The process shown in FIG. 11 is activated when a device map display request is received. If there is a display request, information for identifying the device map to be displayed (for example, the ID of the device map) and if there is a network device that needs to be highlighted, the network device is displayed. Information for identification (for example, a MAC address) is designated.

  For example, when a link to the device map is clicked to display the device map, the network device to be highlighted is designated, and other methods (for example, from the drop-down list 306 in the device list 300 of FIG. 3). When “Map format” is selected and the device map is displayed), the network device to be highlighted is not specified.

  In FIG. 11, in step S1101, it is determined whether or not a network device that needs to be highlighted is specified when a device map display request is made. If a network device is specified, the process proceeds to step S1102 ( (Step S1101: Yes), otherwise, the process proceeds to Step S1103 (Step S1101: No). In step S1102, the identification information of the network device that is specified at the time of the device map display request and that needs to be highlighted is stored.

  In step S1103, the configuration information of the device map to be displayed (for example, the data shown in FIGS. 13 and 14) is acquired. In step S1104, the background image of the device map is displayed based on the image file specified by the configuration information of the device map.

  Further, after step S1105, icons are displayed. First, in step S1105, the value of the variable k for counting the number of icons arranged in the device map is initialized to zero. Note that the value of the variable k is an index value starting from 0 for referring to information of individual icons installed in a device map to be displayed in processing described later.

  In step S1106, the value of the variable k is compared with the number of icons arranged in the device map. If the value of the variable k is smaller than the number of icons, the process proceeds to step S1107 (step S1106: Yes), otherwise In this case, the present process is terminated (step S1107: No).

  In step S1107, the k-th icon information is checked, and it is determined whether or not the icon is a device icon and the network device associated with the device icon is the network device indicated by the identification information stored in step S1102. to decide. If applicable, the process proceeds to step S1109 (step S1107: Yes). Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1108 (step S1107: No).

  In step S1108, the k-th icon is displayed in a normal shape on the device map. On the other hand, in step S1109, the kth icon is highlighted with a shape distinguishable from other icons. In step S1110, 1 is added to the value of the variable k. When displaying, the position to display is determined based on the coordinate data included in the icon information, and the icon is displayed at the position indicated by the coordinate data.

  FIG. 11 shows the display processing of the network device management software when the network device management software is activated on each PC.

  However, when the network device management software and the Web server are started on the server PC and the Web browser started on each client PC accesses the network device management software on the server PC, “display” in FIG. It means a process in which network device management software on a PC embeds information to be displayed in a Web page provided to a Web browser via a Web server. That is, when a Web page is described in a language such as HTML or XML, information about a network device and a link to a device map are described in the Web page. Further, in step S1109, the fact that it is highlighted is described on the Web page. The network device management software transmits the data of the created web page to the web browser via the web server.

  Thus, when an image showing an overview of the installation location is displayed on the device map, an icon indicating a network device can be displayed. In particular, when the link 305 in FIG. 3 or the link 405 in FIG. 4 is designated, the icon of a specific network device can be highlighted, and the icon indicating the network device designated by the user is displayed in which device map. It can be easily displayed whether it is arranged at the position.

  The network device management software according to the present invention described above may be executed on the PC 200 on which the network device management software shown in FIG. In that case, the program includes the program from an external storage medium by a storage medium such as a flash memory, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or via a network such as e-mail or personal computer communication. The present invention is applied even when the information group is loaded on the PC 200 and supplied to the PC 200.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a memory map of a CD-ROM which is an example of a storage medium. Reference numeral 9999 denotes an area in which directory information is stored, and indicates positions of an area 9998 in which subsequent installation programs are stored and an area 9997 in which network device management software is stored. An area 9998 stores an installation program. Reference numeral 9997 denotes an area where network device management software is stored. When the network device management software according to the present invention is installed in the PC 200, first, the installation program stored in the area 9998 where the installation program is stored is loaded into the system and executed by the CPU 201. Next, the installation program executed by the CPU 201 reads the network device management software from the area 9997 where the network device management software is stored, and stores it in the hard disk 211.

  In addition, a storage medium in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program code in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, A ROM or the like can be used.

  In addition, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, and the OS running on the computer is part of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  The present invention can also be applied to a case where the program is distributed to a requester via a communication line such as personal computer communication from a storage medium in which a program code of software realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded. Needless to say.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network which a network device management system can operate | move. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of PC which can operate network device management software. It is an example of a device list (device list) displayed by the network device management system. It is an example of a device management page. It is an example of the device map which a network device management system displays. It is an example of the device map which a network device management system displays. It is an example of the device map which a network device management system displays. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process in the case of displaying the link 305 to a device map. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process in the case of displaying the link 405 to a device map. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which searches the device map by which the device icon is arrange | positioned. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process in the case of displaying a device map. It is a figure which shows the example of device map management information. It is a figure which shows the example of device map structure information. It is a figure which shows the example of device map structure information. It is a figure which shows the memory map of a storage medium.

Explanation of symbols

100 LAN
101a Color printer 101b Color printer 101c Color printer 102a Monochrome printer 102b Monochrome printer 102c Monochrome printer 102d Monochrome printer 103a Multifunction machine 103b Multifunction machine 103c Multifunction machine 104 Scanner 105a Computer 105b Computer 105c Computer 105d Computer 105e Computer 200 Computer 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 System Bus 205 Keyboard Controller 206 CRT Controller 207 Disk Controller 208 Network Interface Card 209 Keyboard 210 CRT
211 Hard disk 212 Floppy (registered trademark) disk 213 CD
214 DVD

Claims (16)

A network management device that displays information about network devices connected to a network,
Information acquisition means for acquiring information about network devices;
List display control means for controlling to display a list of information related to the network device, and a device map that is a screen representing a place where the network device is installed, and display identification information indicating the network device on the screen. Position display control means for controlling to arrange and display; and
Determination means for determining whether or not a device map in which identification information of each network device is arranged exists,
The list display control means, when the determination means determines that there is a device map in which the identification information of the network device is arranged, displays association information for displaying the corresponding screen as a list display of information regarding the network device If the determination means determines that there is no device map in which the network device identification information is arranged, the association information for displaying the corresponding screen is displayed on the network device. A network management apparatus that performs control so that information is not displayed at a location corresponding to the network device in a list of information.   The network management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the association information is a link to a corresponding screen.   2. The position display control unit, when association information is selected, searches for a screen on which identification information of a corresponding network device is arranged, and controls to display the corresponding screen. The network management device described. The list display control means generates data representing a list of information on network devices, transmits the generated data to an external device,
The network management according to claim 1, wherein the position display control unit generates data representing the screen and identification information arranged on the screen, and transmits the generated data to an external device. apparatus. Having search means for searching for network devices connected to the network;
The network management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires information on the network device from the network device found by the search unit.   And a detailed display control means for controlling to display a detailed screen for displaying information related to the designated network device when any network device is designated in the list of information related to the network device. The network management device according to claim 1.   The network management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the network device is a printer. A display method for displaying information about network devices connected to a network,
An information acquisition step for acquiring information about the network device;
A list display control step for controlling to display a list of information about network devices;
A position display control step of displaying a device map which is a screen representing a place where the network device is installed, and controlling the identification information indicating the network device to be arranged and displayed on the screen;
A determination step of determining whether there is a device map in which identification information of each network device is arranged,
In the list display control step, when the determination step determines that there is a device map in which the identification information of the network device is arranged, association information for displaying the corresponding screen is displayed as a list of information regarding the network device. When the determination step determines that there is no device map in which the network device identification information is arranged and displayed at a location corresponding to the network device in the display, association information for displaying the corresponding screen is displayed on the network device. A display method of controlling so that information is not displayed at a location corresponding to the network device in the list of information relating to the network.   The display method according to claim 8, wherein the association information is a link to a corresponding screen.   9. The position display control step, when association information is selected, searches for a screen on which identification information of a corresponding network device is arranged, and controls to display the corresponding screen. Display method described in. In the list display control step, data representing a list of information on network devices is generated, and the generated data is transmitted to an external device,
9. The position display control step generates data representing the screen and identification information arranged on the screen, and transmits the generated data to an external device. How to display. A search step for searching for network devices connected to the network;
9. The display method according to claim 8, wherein in the obtaining step, information relating to the network device is obtained from the network device found in the searching step.   A detailed display control step for controlling to display a detailed screen for displaying information related to the specified network device when any network device is specified in the list of information related to the network device. The display method according to claim 8.   The display method according to claim 8, wherein the network device is a printer.   The control program which makes a computer perform the method of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 14.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the control program according to claim 15.

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