JPH1013443A - Network system and network management method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] To provide a network system capable of appropriately managing various devices according to dynamic address assignment. An address management unit of a DHCP server is provided.
When an address is assigned to the DHCP client 30, the address notifying unit 24 notifies the network management manager 10 of the address. On the other hand, in the network management manager 10, the device information management unit 1
2 is the DHCP client 30
To obtain various information and register it in the device information database 13 together with this address,
The DHCP client 30 is incorporated into the management target. As a result, the network management manager 10
The state management of the DHCP client 30 can be performed in response to the dynamic address assignment performed by the DHCP server 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a network system and a network management method for dynamically allocating addresses to various devices connected to a network.
In particular, the present invention relates to a network system and a network management method capable of appropriately managing various devices according to the dynamic address assignment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various information devices, such as personal computers and intelligent printers, have been developed and are being rapidly spread in offices and the like. In recent years, there has been a remarkable development in communication technology, and with this development, various networks have been laid. In such a situation, it is preferable from the viewpoint of cost and the like to share various resources including information and devices via a network.

[0003] Communication between information devices on this network requires that data be transmitted and received in accordance with a predetermined protocol. As a communication protocol for such a network, TCP / IP (Transm
issue Control Protocol / I
Internet Protocol). When communication is performed using this TCP / IP, it is necessary to assign an IP address to each information device in advance, and communication between the information devices is executed based on the previously assigned IP address. Will be.

[0004] In such a network, a network manager is defined to manage the status of various devices connected to the network. This network manager holds a database that stores the above-described IP address and the logical name of the device in pairs, and manages the status of various devices according to the information stored in the database.

[0005] Recently, DHCP (Dynami) is used.
c Host Configuration Prot
ocol) is increasing. This DHCP is positioned as one of the TCP / IP protocol groups, and does not assign a fixed IP address to each device in advance, but dynamically assigns an IP address each time an information device operates on a network. This is a protocol that implements a function such as assigning In this DHCP, an IP address is collectively managed by a DHCP server. For example, when an information device is newly connected to a network and operated, the information device operates as a DHCP client. The DHCP client broadcasts a connection request to the DHCP server on the network immediately after the operation. Then, the DHCP server that has detected this connection request changes the IP address that can be assigned at that time to the D
Provide to HCP client. Therefore, this DH
According to the CP, for example, the network environment can be easily changed without requiring the network administrator to reconfigure the environment.

[0006] However, in a network employing this DHCP, the same IP address is not always assigned to the same device. That is, in the DHCP in which the assignment of the IP address dynamically changes, there is a problem that the state management of various devices cannot be performed by the network manager.

[0007]

As described above, the status management of various devices connected to a conventional network has been performed by a network manager, but the network manager manages the status of various devices based on IP addresses. In the case of DHCP in which the assignment of IP addresses changes dynamically, there has been a problem that the network manager cannot manage the status of various devices.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a network system and a network management method capable of appropriately managing various devices according to dynamic address assignment. I do.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a network management system for managing a network and devices connected to the network, and an address management system for dynamically allocating addresses to devices newly connected to the network. Wherein the address management system comprises means for, when an address is assigned to the newly connected device, notifying the network management system of the address, wherein the network management system comprises: Means for incorporating the newly connected device into a management target based on the address notified from the address management system.

In the present invention, when a device is connected to the network (including not only a physical connection but also a case where the device starts operating), the address management system newly assigns an address to the device. At times, the address management system notifies the network management system of the address. On the other hand, the network management system that has received the notification of the address incorporates the newly connected device into the management target by, for example, acquiring the related information of the newly connected device by this address.

That is, in the present invention, by connecting the address management system and the network management system, device management according to dynamic address assignment becomes possible.

Further, the present invention has a network management system for managing a network and devices connected to the network, and an address management system for dynamically assigning addresses to devices newly connected to the network. In a network system, when an address is assigned from the address management system to each device connected to the network, a means for notifying the address to the network management system is provided, and the network management system includes:
The apparatus further comprises means for incorporating the newly connected device into a management target based on the address notified from the device.

In the present invention, when a device is connected to the network and the address management system assigns a new address to the device, each of the devices assigned the address assigns the address to the network management system. Notice. On the other hand, the network management system that has received the notification of the address incorporates the newly connected device into a management target based on the address.

Therefore, also in the present invention, the network management system can manage the status of various devices according to the dynamic address assignment performed by the address management system.

The network management system preferably includes means for notifying the address management system when a device is incorporated into the management target and when the device is excluded from the management target. As a result, the compatibility between the network management system and the address management system can be confirmed, and the reliability of the entire network system can be improved.

Further, the present invention has a network management system for managing a network and devices connected to the network, and an address management system for dynamically assigning addresses to devices newly connected to the network. In the network system, the network management system updates the device to be managed based on a response from the address management system and a unit that inquires the address management system of an address allocation status at a predetermined interval. And means for performing the following.

According to the present invention, the network management system inquires of the address management system about the address allocation status at a predetermined interval. For example, when a change of the address allocation is responded, the network management system is informed of the change of the address allocation. Update the devices to be managed. In this case, a slight time lag may occur between the state of address allocation by the address management system and the state of management by the network management system, but if this inquiry interval is set according to design items such as the characteristics and characteristics of the system, It is possible to prevent the operation of the network from being hindered. That is, also in the present invention, the network management system can manage the status of various devices according to the dynamic address assignment performed by the address management system.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a network system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the network system according to the present embodiment includes a network management manager 10 and a DHCP server 20, and manages a plurality of DHCP clients 30 arbitrarily connected (activated) by a user.

The network management manager 10 manages the status of the DHCP client 30 connected to the network. Each processing unit of the data transmission / reception unit 11, the device information management unit 12, and the confirmation notification unit 14, and the device information database It has 13 databases.

The data transmitting / receiving unit 11 is a DHCP server 2
0 and data is transmitted to and received from the DHCP client 30. The device information management unit 12 is connected to the connected DHC
It manages the status of each P client 30 and acquires and manages device information including address information for performing this status management. This device information is stored in the device information database 13. FIG. 2 shows an example of the device information stored in the device information database 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the device information stored in the device information database 13 includes an IP address assigned by the DHCP server 20, a client name indicating the DHCP client 30, and hardware information as related information. . When the device information management unit 12 updates the device information stored in the device information database 13, the confirmation notification unit 14 notifies the DHCP server 20 of the update.

The DHCP server 20 assigns an IP address to one of the DHCP clients 30 when one of the DHCP clients 30 starts operating.
2 and each processing unit of the address notifying unit 24 and a database of the address information database 23.

The data transmission / reception unit 21 transmits / receives data to / from the network management manager 10 and the DHCP client 30. The address management unit 22 includes a DHC
A dynamic address assignment to the P client 30 and management of address information for performing the dynamic address assignment are performed. This address information is stored in the address information database 23. FIG. 3 shows an example of the address information stored in the address information database 23. As shown in FIG. 3, the address information stored in the address information database 23 includes a preset assignable IP address, a real address and a client name of the DHCP client 30 to which the IP address is assigned, and related information. Contains some hardware information. When the address management unit 22 dynamically assigns the address to the DHCP client 30, the address notification unit 24 sends the assigned address to the network management manager 1.
Notify 0.

The DHCP client 30 is a personal computer or the like which is arbitrarily activated and used by a user, and includes a data transmitting / receiving unit 31 and a connection request issuing unit 32.

The data transmission / reception unit 31 transmits / receives data to / from the network management manager 10 and the DHCP server 20. Then, the connection request issuing unit 32 requests the DHCP server 20 to allocate an address immediately after the startup.

Here, the operation principle of the network system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Immediately after the DHCP client 30 is started, the DHCP client 30 issues the connection request issuing unit 3
2 requests the DHCP server 20 to allocate an IP address ((1) in FIG. 4). This request is carried out by the data transmitting / receiving unit 31 broadcasting a message indicating this on the network.

In the DHCP server 20 that has detected this request, the address management unit 22 selects an assignable IP address with reference to the address information database 23,
The IP address is provided to the requesting DHCP client 30 ((2) in FIG. 4). When an address is assigned to the DHCP client 30 by the address management unit 22, the address notification unit 24 notifies the network management manager 10 of the address ((3) in FIG. 4).

In the network management manager 10 receiving the notification, the device information management unit 12 acquires the relevant information of the DHCP client 30 by the address and stores it in the device information database 13 ((4) in FIG. 4). . Then, when the DHCP client 30 is to be managed by acquiring various information, the confirmation notifying unit 14 notifies the DHCP server 20 of the fact ((5) in FIG. 4).

Thus, the network management manager 10 can appropriately manage the state of the DHCP client 30 in synchronization with the dynamic assignment of the IP address of the DHCP server 20. In addition, since the notification of the confirmation is transmitted from the network management manager 10 to the DHCP server 20, it is possible to confirm mutual consistency. For example, after allocating an IP address, this is performed within a predetermined time. When there is no notification, the reliability can be improved by resending the IP address to the network management manager 10 or issuing a warning to the network administrator.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of a network system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the difference between the first embodiment and this embodiment is that the DHCP server 20 does not include the address notifying unit 24, while the DHCP client 30 includes the address notifying unit 33. On the point.

Here, the operation principle of the network system according to the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Immediately after the DHCP client 30 is started, the connection request issuing unit 32 requests the DHCP server 20 to allocate an IP address ((1) in FIG. 6).

In the DHCP server 20 which has detected this request, the address management unit 22 selects an assignable IP address with reference to the address information database 23,
The IP address is provided to the requesting DHCP client 30 ((2) in FIG. 6). On the other hand, in the DHCP client 30 to which the address has been assigned, the address notifying unit 33 notifies the network manager 10 of the address ((3) in FIG. 6).

In the network manager 10 having received the notification, the device information management unit 12 acquires the relevant information of the DHCP client 30 based on the address and stores it in the device information database 13 ((4) in FIG. 6). . Then, if the DHCP client 30 is to be managed by acquiring various information, the confirmation notifying unit 14 notifies the DHCP server 20 of the fact ((5) in FIG. 6).

Thus, similarly to the first embodiment, the network manager 10 can appropriately manage the state of the DHCP client 30 in synchronization with the dynamic assignment of the IP address of the DHCP server 20. . Also, in the network system of the present embodiment, since the confirmation notification is transmitted from the network management manager 10 to the DHCP server 20, it is possible to confirm mutual compatibility, and for example, an IP address is assigned. Thereafter, when this notification is not received within a predetermined time, it is possible to improve the reliability by resending the IP address to the network management manager 10 or issuing a warning to the network administrator. Become.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration of a network system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, the difference between the first embodiment and this embodiment is that the network management manager 10
However, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that an inquiry unit 15 is provided in place of the confirmation notification unit 14, and a state notification unit 25 is provided in place of the address notification unit 24.

In the network system of the present embodiment,
Inquiry unit 15 of network management manager 10
Makes an inquiry to the DHCP server 20 about the address assignment status at a preset interval. On the other hand, in the DHCP server 20 receiving this inquiry, the status notification unit 2
5 responds with the presence or absence of the update of the address assignment status and the address in the case where the address is updated. Then, in the network management manager 10 receiving this response, the device information management unit 12 executes a device information data database management process based on the notification.

In this embodiment, the address allocation status of the DHCP server 20 and the network management manager 1
Although a slight time lag may occur in the management situation due to 0, it seems to be a problem sufficiently solved by adjusting the interval set by a network administrator or the like. Then, the network management manager 10
By knowing the address assignment status of the CP server 20, in this embodiment also, the network management manager 10 synchronizes with the dynamic IP address assignment of the DHCP
Can be appropriately managed.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the DHCP client 30 is connected (started) has been described as an example. However, when the address assignment status is changed due to disconnection (stop), the network management manager 10 As a result, the appropriate situation management will be continued.

[0041]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when a change occurs in the state of address assignment to various devices managed by the address management system, the network management system recognizes the change. In order to update the management target, the network management system can perform appropriate device management according to the dynamic address assignment performed by the address management system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing an example of device information stored in a device information database of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing an example of address information stored in an address information database of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary timing chart for explaining the operation principle of the network system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary timing chart for explaining the operation principle of the network system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Network management manager, 11 ... Data transmission / reception part, 12 ... Device information management part, 13 ... Device information database, 14 ... Confirmation notification part, 15 ... Inquiry part, 20 ...
DHCP server, 21 data transmission / reception unit, 22 address management unit, 23 address information database, 24 address notification unit, 25 status notification unit, 30 DHCP client, 31 data transmission / reception unit, 32 connection request issuing unit , 33... Address notification unit.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A network system comprising: a network and a network management system for managing devices connected to the network; and an address management system for dynamically allocating addresses to devices newly connected to the network. The address management system further includes means for, when an address is assigned to the newly connected device, notifying the address to the network management system, wherein the network management system is notified from the address management system. And a means for incorporating the newly connected device into a management target based on the address. 2. The address management system according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying the network management system of an address when any one of the devices is disconnected from the network, the address being in an assignable state. 2. The network system according to claim 1, further comprising means for excluding the disconnected device from the management target based on the address notified from the address management system. 3. A network system comprising: a network and a network management system for managing devices connected to the network; and an address management system for dynamically allocating addresses to devices newly connected to the network. A means for notifying the address to the network management system when an address is assigned from the address management system to each of the devices connected to the network, wherein the network management system is notified by the device A network system comprising means for incorporating the newly connected device into a management target based on an address. 4. A means for notifying the network management system and the address management system of disconnection from the network is provided for each device connected to the network, and the address management system is configured to disconnect from the network. When notified, the network management system comprises means for assigning an address assigned to the notified device to an assignable state, and when notified of disconnection from the network, the network management system 4. The network system according to claim 3, further comprising a unit that excludes the network system from management targets. 5. The network management system further comprises means for notifying the address management system when the device is incorporated into the management target and when the device is excluded from the management target. The network system according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein 6. A network system comprising: a network and a network management system for managing devices connected to the network; and an address management system for dynamically allocating addresses to devices newly connected to the network. A means for inquiring the address management system of the address allocation status at predetermined intervals, based on a response from the address management system,
Means for updating the device to be managed. 7. A network system comprising: a network management system for managing a network and devices connected to the network; and an address management system for dynamically assigning an address to a device newly connected to the network. In the network management method, when the address management system newly assigns an address to any device, the address management system notifies the network management system of the address, and the network management system transmits the address to the notified address. A network management method, wherein the device to which the address is newly assigned is incorporated into a management target based on the information. 8. A network system comprising: a network management system for managing a network and devices connected to the network; and an address management system for dynamically assigning addresses to devices newly connected to the network. A network management method, wherein each of the devices connected to the network notifies the network management system of the address when the address is allocated from the address management system, and the network management system receives the notification. A network management method, wherein the device to which the new address is assigned is incorporated in the management target based on the address.