Network-management device, network-management method, and computer program product

• US 8,316,304 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2007
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Yamashita, Akihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): SALOMON, PHENUEL S
• Application Number:
  US11/831,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20080046553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,939 Days
• Field of Search: 715/736, 715/734, 709/223.224, 709/223, 709/224
• US Class Current: 715/734
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0253 using browsers or web-pages for accessing management information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

A network-management device includes a map storing unit and a map state storing unit. The map storing unit stores therein a map created based on information on network devices. The map state storing unit stores therein a creation state indicating that creation of the map is in process or completed in association with the map. When creation of the map is in process, disclosure of the map is prohibited, and all the network devices are notified that creation of the map is in process. When creation of the map is completed, it is checked whether all the network devices are laid out on the map. When all the network devices are laid out on the map, disclosure of the map is permitted.

Claims

1. A network-management device comprising:

an acquiring unit that acquires device information on a plurality of network devices operating on a network;

a first storing unit that stores therein the device information;

a designating unit that designates a layout position on a map where device information on each of the network devices is to be laid out;

a selecting unit that selects a display image for each of the network devices based on type of the network device;

a creating unit that creates the map by laying out on the map the device information on each of the network devices with the display image based on the layout position, and manages a creation state of the map that indicates whether a creation of the map is in process or whether the creation of the map is completed;

a display unit that selectively displays the map and displays creation state information that indicates, by a display of text, whether a creation of the map is in process or whether the creation of the map is completed;

a determining unit that determines the creation state based on whether creation of the map is in process;

a second storing unit that stores, in association with the map, a creation state determined by the determining unit and indicating that creation of the map is in process,

wherein after a request to the creating unit to create an updated map and while the creation state determined by the determining unit indicates that the updated map is created, the display unit displays the map and the creation state that indicates, by a display of text, that the creation of the map is in process and prevents display of the updated map, and

when the creation state indicates that creation of the map is complete, information on the plurality of network devices is received and updated; and

a checking unit that checks, when the creation state indicates that the creation of the map is completed, whether the device information on the plurality of network devices is laid out on the map, wherein

the second storing unit stores therein the specified creation state only when the checking unit determines that the device information on the plurality of network devices is laid out on the map.

2. The network-management device according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit that notifies the network devices that creation of the updated map is in process when the creation state indicates that the creation of the map is in process.

3. The network-management device according to claim 1, wherein the

display unit displays the device information in a list.

4. The network management device according to claim 1, wherein when the creation state stored in the second storage unit indicates that creation of the map is in process, the map is not disclosed.

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

a selecting unit that selects whether to check or not check the device information when the creation state indicates that creation of the map is complete.

6. A network-management method comprising:

acquiring device information on a plurality of network devices operating on a network;

storing the device information;

designating a layout position on a map where device information on each of the network devices is to be laid out;

selecting a display image for each of the network devices based on type of the network device;

creating the map by laying out on the map the device information on each of the network devices with the display image based on the layout position;

displaying the map and creation state information indicating that a creation of the map is completed;

receiving a request to create an updated map;

displaying said map and the creation state information indicating, by a display of text, that the creation of the map is in process while creating the updated map and at the same time preventing display of the updated map;

determining the creation state information based on whether creation of the map is in process, a creation state indicating that creation of the map is in process being stored in association with the map;

receiving and updating device information from the plurality of devices;

displaying said updated map and the creation state information indicating, by a display of text, that the creation of the map is completed after completion of said updated map;

checking, when the creation state information indicates that the creation of the map is completed, whether the device information on the plurality of network devices is laid out on the map; and

storing the creation state information indicating that the creation of the map is completed only when it is determined at the checking that the device information on the plurality of network devices is laid out on the map.

7. The network-management method according to claim 6, further comprising notifying the network devices that creation of the updated map is in process when the creation state information indicates that the creation of the map is in process.

8. The network-management method according to claim 6, further comprising:

displaying the device information in a list.

9. A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable program codes recorded thereon that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute a method comprising:

acquiring device information on a plurality of network devices operating on a network;

storing the device information;

designating a layout position on a map where device information on each of the network devices is to be laid out;

selecting a display image for each of the network devices based on type of the network device;

creating the map by laying out on the map the device information on each of the network devices with the display image based on the layout position;

displaying the map and creation state information indicating, by a display of text, that a creation of the map is completed;

receiving a request to create an updated map;

displaying said map and the creation state information indicating, by a display of text, that the creation of the map is in process while creating the updated map and at the same time preventing display of the updated map;

determining the creation state information based on whether creation of the map is in process, a creation state indicating that creation of the map is in process being stored in association with the map;

receiving and updating device information from the plurality of devices;

displaying said updated map and the creation state information indicating that the creation of the map is completed after completion of said updated map;

checking, when the creation state information indicates that the creation of the map is completed, whether the device information on the plurality of network devices is laid out on the map; and

storing the creation state information indicating that the creation of the map is completed only when it is determined at the checking that the device information on the plurality of network devices is laid out on the man.

10. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 9, said method further comprising:

notifying the network devices that creation of the updated map is in process when the creation state information indicates that the creation of the map is in process.

11. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 9, said method further comprising:

displaying the device information in a list.