Network system, device management system, device management method, data processing method, storage medium, and internet service provision method

• US 20020029263A1
• Filed: 07/05/2001
• Published: 03/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Toyoshima, Hirobumi, Tanaka, Tadato, Yamashita, Yuhji
• Granted Patent: US 7,013,334 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0266 using meta-data, objects or commands for formatting management information, e.g. using eXtensible markup language [XML]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/18 Delegation of network management function, e.g. customer network management [CNM]

Abstract

A network system comprising general management consoles 9, which are connected to the Internet 8; a supervisor management console 4, which can be accessed by a device management server 2; a database 5, which is connected to the device management server 2, wherein company data, correlated with each general management console 9, and device data, for each device 10 correlated with the company data, are stored; a console manager 3, for relaying the data processing; and means for referring to the company data and the device data to permit the correlated general management console to provide a correlated service or device or group. Since only a management console is installed in a company, the company is relieved of its responsibility for providing for the complicated operation of a management server. Furthermore, since the fee that an ISP may charge for providing a device management service for multiple companies can be split among the relevant companies, the expense incurred by each company can be reduced.

Claims

1. A network system for using a device management server to manage devices connected to a computer network, comprising:

a plurality of general management consoles connected to the computer network;

a supervisor management console accessible by the device management server;

a database, connected to the device management server, that includes enterprise data associated with each of the general management consoles and device data associated with the enterprise data for each of the devices;

a console manager for the intermediate transfer of data between at least one of the general management consoles and the supervisor management console and the database; and

means for referring to the enterprise data and the device data to permit the general management consoles to offer a service for at least one of a device and an associated group of devices.

2. The network system according to claim 1, wherein profile data associated with the service is included in the database;

and wherein the console manager includes means for permitting the general management consoles to register, change, schedule or delete a service and to access the profile data.

3. The network system according to claim 2, wherein job data associated with the profile data is included in the database;

and wherein the network system further comprises means, when the devices are connected to the device management server, for searching for data and for requesting services associated with the device data available at the devices.

4. The network system according to claim 1, wherein management data associated with each of the general management consoles is included in the database;

and wherein there is further included means for, when the general management console logs in the device management server, examining an administrator using the enterprise data and the management data.

5. The network system according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for permitting the supervisor management console to access, register, change or delete at least one of device data associated with the devices, enterprise data, management data, profile data and job data.

6. A device management method, for a network system that comprises devices connected to a computer network, a device management server to manage the devices, a plurality of general management consoles connected to the computer network, a supervisor management console accessible by the device management server, a database, connected to the device management server, that includes enterprise data associated with each of the general management consoles and the device data associated with the enterprise data for each of the devices, a console manager for the intermediate transfer of data between the general management consoles or the supervisor management console and the database, the device management method comprising steps of:

the general management consoles issuing a connection request to the device management server;

the console manager obtaining information, including enterprise IDs for the general management consoles, and searching the enterprise data to verify at least some of said plurality of general management consoles as verified general management consoles; and

the verified general management consoles receiving permission to offer, and offering a service to individual devices, or a group thereof, whereat device data are available that are associated with the enterprise data, which are designated by the enterprise IDs.

7. The device management method according to claim 6, wherein a profile data associated with the service is included in the database;

and wherein the general management consoles that are verified are permitted to register, change, schedule or delete a service and to access the profile data.

8. The device management method according to claim 7, wherein job data associated with the profile data is included in the database;

wherein there are further included the steps of;

connecting the devices to the device management server,

searching for the job data, and

requesting services associated with the device data available at the devices.

9. The device management method according to claim 6, wherein management data associated with each of the general management consoles is included in the database;

and wherein there are further included the steps of;

at least one of said general management consoles logging in the device management server, and examining an administrator using the enterprise data and the management data.

10. The device management method according to claim 6, wherein the supervisor management console is permitted to access, register, change or delete device data associated with all the devices, enterprise data, management data, profile data or job data.

11. A system for managing devices connected to a computer network comprising:

a device management server connected to the computer network;

a supervisor management console accessible by the device management server;

a database, connected to the device management server, that includes enterprise data associated with each of a plurality of general management consoles and the device data associated with the enterprise data for each of the devices;

a console manager for the intermediate transfer of data between the general management consoles connected to the computer network or the supervisor management console and the database; and

means for, upon receipt of connection requests from the general consoles, referring to the enterprise data and the device data to permit the general management consoles to offer a service for the devices, or an associated group thereof.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein a profile data associated with the service is included in the database;

and wherein the console manager includes means for permitting the general management consoles to register, change, schedule or delete a service and to access the profile data.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein job data associated with the profile data is included in the database;

and wherein the network system further comprises means, when the devices are connected to the device management server, for searching for data and for requesting services associated with the device data available at the devices.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein management data associated with each of the general management consoles is included in the database;

and wherein there is further included means for, when the general management console logs in the device management server, examining an administrator using the enterprise data and the management data.

15. The network system according to claim 11, further comprising:

means for permitting the supervisor management console to access, register, change or delete device data associated with all the devices, enterprise data, management data, profile data or job data.

17. The data processing method according to claim 16, wherein a profile data associated with the service is included in the database;

and wherein the general management consoles that are verified are permitted to register, change, schedule or delete a service and to access the profile data.

18. The data processing method according to claim 17, wherein job data associated with the profile data is included in the database;

wherein there are further included the steps of;

connecting the devices to the device management server,

searching for the job data, and

providing, for the devices, services associated with the device data available at the devices.

19. The data processing method according to claim 16, wherein management data associated with each of the general management consoles is included in the database;

and wherein there is further included the step of

upon receipt of a connection request from each of the general management consoles, examining an administrator of the general management console using the enterprise data and the management data.

20. The data processing method according to claim 16, wherein the supervisor management console is permitted to access, register, change or delete device data associated with all the devices, enterprise data, management data, profile data or job data.

16. A data processing method using a device management system that comprises a device management server to manage devices connected to a computer network, a supervisor management console accessible to the device management server, a database, connected to the device management server, that includes enterprise data associated with each of a plurality of general management consoles and the device data associated with the enterprise data for each of the devices, and a console manager for the intermediate transfer of data between the supervisor management console, or general management consoles connected to the computer network and the database, the data processing method comprising steps of:

upon receipt of connection requests from the general management consoles, the console manager obtaining information, including enterprise IDs for the general management consoles;

searching the enterprise data to verify the general management consoles; and

the verified general management consoles receiving permission to offer, and offering a service to individual devices, or a group thereof, whereat device data are available that are associated with the enterprise data, which are designated by the enterprise IDs.

21. A computer-readable storage medium in which a program is stored that permits a computer to perform the steps of:

upon receipt of connection requests from at least one of a plurality of general management consoles connected to a computer network, obtaining information including enterprise IDs from the general management consoles;

searching the enterprise data of a database connected to the device management server to verify at least some of the general management consoles as verified general management consoles;

searching for devices, or a group thereof, whereat device data are available that are stored in the database and are associated with the enterprise data, which are designated by the enterprise IDs; and

permitting the verified general management consoles to offer a service to the devices or the group thereof.

22. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the program permits the computer to permit the general management consoles that are verified to register, change, schedule or delete a service and to access the profile data.

23. The storage medium according to claim 22, wherein the program permits the computer to perform the steps of:

upon receipt of connection requests from the devices, connecting the devices to the device management server,

searching for job data associated with the profile data, and

providing, for the devices, services associated with the device data available at the devices.

24. An Internet service provision method comprising the steps of:

permitting a first console, belonging to a first enterprise, to provide a service for a first device group connected to the Internet; and

permitting a second console, belonging to a second enterprise, to provide a service for a second device group connected to the Internet.