JP2003318904A - Network apparatus, setting revision method, program, and recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network apparatus and a setting revision method for inhibiting setting revision from other host apparatus during setting revision from a host apparatus on a network, and to provide a program and a recording apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: Upon the receipt of information denoting start of setting revision of a network printer 104 from a host computer 102 or 103, the setting revision is permitted in response to the operating state of the network printer 104 and identification information identifying the host computer the setting revision of which is permitted is stored in a memory, upon receiving information denoting start of the setting revision from the other host computer on the network 101, the setting revision from the other host computer is rejected on the basis of the stored identification information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network device, a setting changing method, a program, and a recording device which are connected to a network and which can change the setting of the network device from a host device on the network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an administrator of a network device connected to the network from a host device (host computer) on the network, for example, a printer or a copying machine, sets the network device, the setting or reference is made by the administrator. Only the information indicating the state such as medium is written, and the information is used to limit the number of administrators who can be set at the same time.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional example has the following problems.

Since it is not possible to confirm whether or not it is a setting instruction from a specific manager, a plurality of settings can be changed at the same time by intentionally changing the procedure, for example, not using a specific setting utility. There was a possibility.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a network device, a setting change method, and a program for prohibiting the setting change from another upper device while the setting is being changed from the upper device on the network. , And a recording device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a network device which is connected to a network and which can change the settings of the network device from a host device on the network. A receiving unit that receives information about the setting change of the network device from the device, and a setting that allows the setting change according to the operating state of the network device when the information indicating the start of the setting change is received as the information about the setting change. When the change permission means, the storage means for storing the identification information for identifying the higher-level device permitted to change the setting, and the information indicating the start of the setting change from the other higher-level device on the network are received, the memory is stored. The setting change refusal means for refusing the setting change from the other higher-level device based on the identified information. And it features.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is a method for changing the settings of a network device connected to a network and changing the settings of the network device from the host device on the network. A receiving step of receiving information about a setting change of the device,
A setting change permission step of permitting the setting change in accordance with the operating state of the network device when receiving information indicating the start of the setting change as the information regarding the setting change;
A storing step of storing in the storage means identification information for identifying the higher-level device that has permitted the setting change, and when the information indicating the start of the setting change is received from another higher-level device on the network, the stored identification information The setting change refusing step of refusing the setting change from the other higher-level device based on the above.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

In the present embodiment, a network printer will be described as an example of the network device, but the present invention is not limited to the printer, and is connected to, for example, a network and is a host device (host computer) on the network.
It is also possible to apply the present invention to a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc., which has a function of changing the settings.

In this embodiment, two host computers on the network use SNMP (Simple Network Management).
(Protocol) is used to perform setting change processing on the network printer, and the information indicating whether the setting is being changed by the network printer and the address on the network as identification information for identifying the host computer that permitted the setting change are stored in the database. To do. Also, a protocol other than SNMP may be used.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a network system according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, 101 is a local network to which a network printer is connected, 102 and 103 are host computers,
It outputs an SNMP packet instructing to change the settings of the network device.

Reference numeral 104 denotes a network printer according to this embodiment. This network printer 104 is SN
It has a function to change and refer to various settings by MP. For details, hold the setting-changing flag and the setting-changing host address in the information database, which will be described later. The setting change from is prohibited.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the network printer in this embodiment. It should be noted that FIG. 2 shows only a portion of the internal configuration of the network printer 104 shown in FIG. 1 that corresponds to the configuration requirements according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2, 201 is the network 10.
1 is an interface for connecting to 1 and is Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like. Reference numeral 202 denotes a ROM, and in the present embodiment, it stores programs and control data for performing processing such as inspection of received packets and retention of information. Reference numeral 203 denotes a CPU, which executes various programs stored in the ROM 202. Reference numeral 204 denotes a RAM, which is a memory used for various MIBs according to the present embodiment, work areas for various processes, or temporary storage of various data. 205 is a non-volatile memory, flash RO
It corresponds to devices such as M and hard disk. The nonvolatile memory 205 is used to always store the information database according to this embodiment. Reference numeral 206 denotes a system bus, which connects devices such as the CPU 203 and the ROM 202 to enable data communication.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the information database according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the information database includes a setting change flag 301 and a setting change host address 302.

Here, the setting change flag 301 is
This is a flag indicating the state of the network printer 104, and in the steady state where the setting change processing is not performed,
It is set to "0" and is set to "1" when the setting is being changed and the setting change process is started. The setting-changing host address 302 is the address of the host computer that has transmitted the setting change start packet when the setting change is in progress by receiving a valid setting start packet from the host computer 102 or 103. When the protocol to be used is TCP / IP, it holds an IP address.

The contents of the setting changing host address 302 are valid only when the setting changing flag 301 is in the setting changing state.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the setting change processing in this embodiment. First, when the network printer 104 is powered on, in step S401, the CPU 203 causes the host computer 102 or 1
Waits for an event such as receiving a packet from 03 or a timer expiration. After that, when an event occurs, in step S402, the type of event that occurred is checked. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the above-mentioned timer is a programmable timer that can be started and stopped by the CPU 203, and is provided as a peripheral device of the CPU 203.

If the event that has occurred is packet reception, the flow advances to step S403 to check the type of the received packet. Here, if the packet type is a setting change start packet, the process proceeds to step S404,
If the packet type is a setting change packet, the process proceeds to step S405, the setting change process described below is performed, and if the packet type is a setting change end packet, the setting change described below is performed. Perform change start processing.

On the other hand, in step S402, if the generated event is a timer event, the process proceeds to step S407, and a timeout process described later is performed.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the details of the setting change start processing shown in FIG. First, the CPU 203 of the network printer 104 sets the network I / F 20
When the setting change start packet is received from the host computer 102 or 103 via 1 in step S <b> 501, the CPU 203 checks whether the network printer 104 is in the steady state by the setting change flag 301 in the information database. Here, the setting change flag 30
When 1 is “0” and the network printer 104 is in the steady state, the process proceeds to step S502, and the setting change flag 301 of the information database is set to the setting change state, that is, “1”.

Next, in step S503, the transmission source address of the setting change start packet is held in the setting changing host address 302 of the information database. And
In step S504, a timer for monitoring the timeout is started, and this setting change start processing is ended.

On the other hand, in step S501 described above,
If the network printer 104 is not in the steady state, it means that the setting is already being changed, so the process advances to step S505 to discard the setting change start packet received from the host computer other than the host computer currently changing the setting, and change the setting. The start process ends.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing details of the setting change process shown in FIG. First, when the CPU 203 of the network printer 104 receives a setting change packet from the host computer 102 or 103 via the network I / F 201, in step S601,
The CPU 203 uses the information database setting change flag 3
At 01, it is checked whether the network printer 104 is in the setting changing state. Here, the setting change flag 301
Is “1” and the network printer 104 is in the setting change state, the process proceeds to step S602, and the source address of the received setting change processing packet and the address held in the setting change host address 302 of the information database are set. To compare.

If the addresses match, the packet is a setting change processing packet from the host computer which changes the setting by going through a formal procedure, so the setting change processing of the network printer 104 is performed according to the contents of the setting change processing packet. . Then, in step S604, the timer for monitoring the time-out is cleared, and this setting change process ends.

On the other hand, in step S601 described above,
If the setting change flag 301 is "0" and the network printer 104 is not in the setting change state, step S6.
05, discard the received setting change processing packet,
This setting change process ends. In addition, the above step S
In 602, when the addresses do not match, the process proceeds to step S605, the received setting change processing packet is discarded, and the setting change processing ends.

By the process of step S605 described above, it is possible to reject a malicious operation from the host computer which does not follow the formal procedure and tries to change the setting,
At the same time, it is possible to accept only the setting change processing from one unit and prevent the setting from being inconsistent.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing details of the setting change end process shown in FIG. First, the CPU 203 of the network printer 104 sets the network I / F 20
When the setting change end processing packet is received from the host computer 102 or 103 via the step 1, the step S70
In step 1, the CPU 203 checks whether or not the network printer 104 is in the setting change state by the setting change flag 301 in the information database. Here, if the setting change flag 301 is "1" and the network printer 104 is in the setting change state, the process advances to step S702, and the transmission source address of the received setting change end processing packet and the setting change host of the information database. Address 30
The address held in 2 is compared.

If the addresses match, the setting change end flag 301 in the information database is in a steady state, that is, because it is a setting change end processing packet from the host computer that completes the setting change by formal procedure.
Set to "0". Then, in step S704, since a valid setting change end processing packet is received,
The timer for monitoring the time-out is stopped, and this setting change end processing is ended.

On the other hand, in step S701 described above,
If the setting change flag 301 is "0" and the network printer 104 is not in the setting change state, step S70.
In step 5, the received setting change end processing packet is discarded, and the setting change end processing is ended.

In step S702 described above,
If the compared addresses do not match, step S7
In step 05, the received setting change end processing packet is discarded, and the setting change end processing is ended. By this processing, it becomes possible to accept only the setting change end processing from the host computer that completes the setting change by taking the formal procedure.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing details of the time-out process shown in FIG. When the CPU 203 of the network printer 104 receives a timer event, this event indicates that the timer started in the setting change start processing has timed out because it did not receive a valid setting change processing packet within a certain period of time. . Therefore, in step S801, the setting change flag 301 of the information database is set to the steady state, that is, "0", and the setting change end process is performed. This process can prevent problems such as the host computer going down while instructing to start setting changes, or other administrators not being able to set network printers because the host computer administrator did not perform termination processing. Becomes

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the setting of the network device is changed, the procedure for starting the setting change, changing the setting, and ending the setting change is performed, and the host address of the other party is set when the setting change is started. By holding and comparing with the source address of each setting change packet, it is possible to prevent the setting change from being made by multiple hosts at the same time and to prevent the setting change packet from entering without formal procedures. .

By monitoring the reception of a valid setting change packet from the start of the setting change, it is possible to prevent one host computer from inadvertently monopolizing the network device.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (eg, host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.), a device composed of one device (eg, copying machine, facsimile device) Etc.) may be applied.

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a recording medium on which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is recorded to a system or apparatus, and the computer (CPU or MP) of the system or apparatus.
It goes without saying that U) is also achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the recording medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM
Etc. can be used.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It is needless to say that this also includes a case where the above) performs a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that a case where the CPU provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is also included.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to prohibit the setting change from another upper device while the setting is being changed from the upper device on the network.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network system in the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a network printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an information database according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a setting change process in this embodiment.

5 is a flowchart showing the details of the setting change start process shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the setting change processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of a setting change end process shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the timeout process shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 network 102 host computer 103 host computer 104 network printer 201 network interface 202 ROM 203 CPU 204 RAM 205 non-volatile memory 301 Setting change flag 302 Host address during setting change

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 5B021 AA04 BB10 DD12 EE02                 5C062 AA02 AA05 AA13 AA29 AB11                       AB12 AB13 AB14 AB22 AB38                       AB41 AB43 AB44 AC22 AC34                       AE16 AF01 AF02 AF06 BA00                 5K033 CA19 DA02 EC02

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A network device that is connected to a network and that can change the settings of the network device from a host device on the network, and a receiving unit that receives information regarding the setting change of the network device from the host device on the network. When the information indicating the start of the setting change is received as the information regarding the setting change, the setting change permission unit that permits the setting change according to the operation state of the network device, and the higher-level device that permits the setting change are identified. A storage unit for storing identification information for storing the setting information, and a setting change for rejecting the setting change from the other higher-level device based on the stored identification information when the information indicating the start of the setting change is received as the information regarding the setting change. A network device having a denial means. 2. The network device according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is an address of the host device on the network. 3. The operation state of the network device, further comprising a time measuring unit for measuring a time until the setting change is terminated after the setting change is permitted, and when the predetermined time is measured by the time measuring unit. The network device according to claim 1, wherein is set to a state in which the setting change is completed. 4. A setting change method which is connected to a network, and which changes the setting of the network device from a host device on the network, the receiving step of receiving information on the setting change of the network device from the host device on the network. When the information indicating the start of the setting change is received as the information regarding the setting change, the setting change permission step of permitting the setting change according to the operation state of the network device, and the higher-level device that permitted the setting change are identified. And a storage step of storing the identification information in the storage means, and when the information indicating the start of the setting change is received as the information regarding the setting change, the setting change from the other higher-level device is rejected based on the stored identification information. And a setting change refusing step for performing the setting change refusing step. 5. The setting changing method according to claim 4, wherein the identification information is an address on the network of the host device. 6. The operation state of the network device, further comprising a time counting step of timing a time until the setting change is completed after the setting change is permitted, and when a predetermined time is counted in the time counting step. The method for changing settings according to claim 4, wherein is set to a state in which the setting change is completed. 7. A computer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A program for causing the means to function as described in any one of 1. 8. A computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to claim 7 is recorded.