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

• US 8,484,565 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2012
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Yamashita, Akihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): SALOMON, PHENUEL S
• Application Number:
  US13/653,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20130042181A1
• Time in Patent Office: 266 Days
• Field of Search: 715/736, 715/734, 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 management method, comprising:

storing, in a map-information storing unit, map information, the map information being created based on an instruction to place a graphic image of a device on a map;

storing, in a device-information storing unit, information about a device that operates on a network;

setting, in a creation-state setting unit, a creation state of the map,

retaining, in a creation-state retaining unit, the map in association with the creation state of the map;

storing, in a storage unit, the information about the device in association with the creation state;

acquiring, in an acquiring unit and from the device that operates on the network, information about the device when the set creation state of the map indicates creation of the map is completed;

when the set creation state of the map indicates that creation of the map is completed,

determining, in a control unit, whether the acquired information about the device is in accordance with the map information stored in the map-information storing unit, and if the acquired information about the device is in accordance with the map information, allowing disclosure of the map, and if the acquired information about the device is not in accordance with the map information, not allowing disclosure of the map;

when a creation state is selected, displaying devices corresponding to information about the device associated with the creation state selected on the map; and

causing the control unit to prohibit disclosure of the map when the creation state that is set by the creation-state setting unit indicates creation of the map is in progress.

2. The management method according to claim 1, wherein the creation state that is set by the creation-state setting unit indicates either creation of the map is in progress or creation of the map is completed.

3. The management method according to claim 1 further comprising:

causing the control unit to prohibit disclosure of the map when the creation state that is set by the creation-state setting unit indicates creation of the map is in progress.

4. The management method according to claim 1 further comprising:

notifying the device that creation of the map is in progress when the creation state that is set by the creation-state setting unit indicates creation of the map is in progress.

5. A management device comprising:

a map-information storing unit that stores therein map information, the map information being created based on an instruction to place a graphic image of a device on a map;

a device-information storing unit that stores therein information about a device that operates on a network;

a creation-state setting unit that sets a creation state of the map,

a creation-state retaining unit that retains the map in association with the creation state of the map;

a storage unit that stores the information about the device in association with the creation state;

an acquiring unit that acquires, from the device that operates on the network, information about the device when the set creation state of the map indicates creation of the map is completed;

a control unit, wherein when the set creation state of the map indicates that creation of the map is completed,

the control unit determines whether the acquired information about the device is in accordance with the map information stored in the map-information storing unit, and if the acquired information about the device is in accordance with the map information, the control unit allows disclosure of the map, and if the acquired information about the device is not in accordance with the map information, the control unit does not allow disclosure of the map; and

an instructing unit that causes the control unit to prohibit disclosure of the map when the creation state that is set by the creation-state setting unit indicates creation of the map is in progress,

wherein when a creation state is selected, devices corresponding to information about a device associated with the creation state selected are displayed on the map.

6. The management device according to claim 5, wherein the creation state that is set by the creation-state setting unit indicates either creation of the map is in progress or creation of the map is completed.

7. The management device according to claim 5 further comprising a notifying unit that notifies the device that creation of the map is in progress when the creation state that is set by the creation-state setting unit indicates creation of the map is in progress.

8. A management system, comprising:

a device that operates on a network; and

a management device that includes

a map-information storing unit that stores therein map information, the map information being created based on an instruction to place a graphic image of a device on a map;

a device-information storing unit that stores therein information about the device that operates on a network;

a creation-state setting unit that sets a creation state of the map,

a creation-state retaining unit that retains the map in association with the creation state of the map;

a storage unit that stores the information about the device in association with the creation state;

an acquiring unit that acquires, from the device that operates on the network, information about the device when the set creation state of the map indicates creation of the map is completed; and

a control unit, wherein when the set creation state of the map indicates that creation of the map is completed,

the control unit determines whether the acquired information about the device is in accordance with the map information stored in the map-information storing unit, and if the acquired information about the device is in accordance with the map information, the control unit allows disclosure of the map, and if the acquired information about the device is not in accordance with the map information, the control unit does not allow disclosure of the map; and

an instructing unit that causes the control unit to prohibit disclosure of the map when the creation state that is set by the creation-state setting unit indicates creation of the map is in progress,

wherein when a creation state is selected, devices corresponding to information about a device associated with the creation state selected are displayed on the map.

9. The management system according to claim 8, wherein the creation state that is set by the creation-state setting unit indicates either creation of the map is in progress or creation of the map is completed.

10. The management system according to claim 8, wherein the management device further includes a notifying unit that notifies the device that creation of the map is in progress when the creation state that is set by the creation-state setting unit indicates creation of the map is in progress.