Network device management method, system and management equipment thereof

• US 20020062364A1
• Filed: 04/03/2001
• Published: 05/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Watanabe, Hirotake
• Granted Patent: US 7,124,177 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for managing a plurality of network devices by management equipment connected to a network, so that an operator can easily distinguish each network device managed by the management equipment at the installation location of the network device. Management equipment (1) performs functions of; automatically assigning and managing the identification information for each plurality of network devices (6-1 to 6-N); visually outputting the identification information assigned by the administrator; and indicating the identification information of network devices (6-1 to 6-N) on a management screen of the management equipment (1) using an identifier which is the same as the identification information. Thus the same identifier is commonly used for both the identifier indicated on the management screen and the identifier displayed on the network device. Thus, at the installation location, the operator can easily recognize the network device indicated on the management screen.

Claims

1. A method for managing a plurality of network devices comprising the steps of;

setting identification information to said network device by assigning identification information to each network device by means of management equipment;

outputting said identification information visually on said network device; and

indicating the network device with the identifier which is the same as said identification information onto a screen for network device management in said management equipment.

2. The method for managing a plurality of network devices according to claim 1 wherein said setting step comprises the steps of;

retrieving a database having said identification information related to each network device; and

assigning said identification information automatically to said network device.

3. The method for managing a plurality of network devices according to claim 1 wherein said outputting step comprises the step of;

displaying said identification information onto an operation panel of said network device.

4. The method for managing a plurality of network devices according to claim 3 wherein said identifier comprises a primary identifier and a secondary identifier respectively includes a color and letter.

5. A network management system having a plurality of network devices connected to management equipment through a network, comprises;

said management equipment for assigning identification information to each network device and setting to said each network device; and

said plurality of network devices for visually outputting said identification information assigned thereto,

wherein said management equipment indicates said network device onto a screen for network device management using the identifier which is the same as said identification information.

6. The network device management system according to claim 5 wherein said management equipment retrieves a database having identification information related to each network device for automatically assigning a retrieved identification information to each network device.

7. The network device management system according to claim 5 wherein said network device management system displays said identification information onto an operation panel of said network device.

8. The network device management system according to claim 5 wherein said network device is a printer and said management equipment is a server.

9. A network device management equipment for managing a plurality of network devices through a network comprising:

a management unit for assigning identification information to each network device and setting to said network device to output visual indication onto said network device;

a user interface unit for indicating the network device information onto a network device management screen using the identical information to said identification information.

10. The network device management equipment according to claim 9 wherein said management unit retrieves a database having identification information related to each network device for automatically assigning said identification information to each network device.

11. The network device management equipment according to claim 10 wherein said identifier comprises a primary identifier and a secondary identifier respectively consisting of color and letter.