JP2013089061A - Information processing device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the processing load of an information processing device when acquiring device information of the device connected to the information processing device from another information processing device.
A distribution destination search unit 13 searches a distribution destination information processing device 2 of a resource information transmission program by a communication unit 12, and a distribution unit 14 sends the resource information to the distribution destination information processing device 2 by the communication unit 12. The transmission program and its installer are distributed, and the resource information received from the information processing apparatus 2 as the distribution destination by the communication unit 12 is stored in the storage unit 11. Then, the agent determination processing unit 15 determines an agent according to the resource information of the distribution destination information processing device 2 in the optimal agent determination processing, and the distribution unit 14 sends the above information to the distribution destination information processing device 2 by the communication unit 12. Distribute the determined agent and installer.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus such as a computer that can communicate with another information processing apparatus connected to a network, and a program executed by the information processing apparatus.

The computer (information processing apparatus) is externally connected to a device including an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine, an image reading apparatus, a printer, a copying machine, and a multifunction machine having these functions. The method has become mainstream.
One is a method of connecting to a computer (information processing apparatus) on a network via a network such as a local area network (LAN), and the other is a serial connection with the information processing apparatus by an interface such as USB. This is a direct connection method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device management device that searches for an information processing device to which a device is locally connected from a network and acquires device information of the device by remote operation on the information processing device when the information processing device can be remotely operated ( For example, there was Patent Document 1).
As described above, information may be exchanged between an application on the information processing apparatus that manages the device and the device.
However, the above-described device management apparatus cannot acquire device information of a device when remote operation is impossible.

By the way, in the information processing apparatus as described above, there is a difference in the type of information that can be obtained from a serially connected device and a LAN-connected device.
Therefore, a mechanism has been proposed in which device information of devices is acquired by filling in the difference in information that can be taken regardless of the type of LAN connection and serial connection from the application of the information processing device, and device information of a plurality of devices is managed collectively. ing.

The mechanism is to introduce, into the information processing apparatus, a unique program called an agent that operates in the information processing apparatus that serially connects the devices.
The agent is a program for acquiring device information of devices connected on the information processing apparatus and serially connected to other external information processing apparatuses.

In the conventional technique described above, when there are a plurality of information processing apparatuses connected to serially connected devices, agents having the same contents are uniformly installed in each information processing apparatus.
However, the performance of each information processing apparatus is often not uniform, and in this case, there is a problem that inconsistency occurs in the operation and performance when an agent having the same content is operated in each information processing apparatus.

For example, in an information processing device that does not have enough resources to operate an agent, the processing load is increased by operating the agent, which hinders the original processing operation that the information processing device is responsible for. There is a fear.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and reduces the processing load of an information processing device when acquiring device information of the device connected to the information processing device from another information processing device. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with another information processing apparatus connected to a network, wherein the resource information of the other information processing apparatus is stored in the other information processing apparatus. Multiple types of resource information transmission program for performing processing to be transmitted to an information processing device, and processing for causing the other information processing device to acquire device information of a device connected to the other information processing device through a local interface Possession means for holding a device information acquisition program, an installation program for causing the other information processing device to install the resource information transmission program or the device information acquisition program, and the other information processing device The resource information transmission program and the installation program held in the holding means When the resource information of the other information processing apparatus is received from the other information processing apparatus to which the resource information transmission program distributing means to transmit, the resource information transmission program and the installation program are distributed, based on the resource information The processing capability of the other information processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the resource information is evaluated, and the other information that is the transmission source of the resource information is selected from the device information acquisition programs held in the holding unit according to the evaluation. Device information determined by the program determining means for determining a device information acquisition program to be executed by the information processing apparatus, and the program determining means held in the holding means in the other information processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the resource information Device information acquisition program distribution that distributes the acquisition program and the installation program To provide an information processing apparatus having a stage.

  The information processing apparatus and the program according to the present invention can reduce the processing load of the information processing apparatus when acquiring device information of the equipment connected to the information processing apparatus from another information processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of the inside of the device management server apparatus, the information processing apparatus, the image forming apparatus, and the projector apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the apparatus management system which is one Embodiment of invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the pattern of the module of multiple types of agent. It is a flowchart figure which shows the agent delivery process of the apparatus management server apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart figure which shows an example of the optimal agent determination process of the agent determination process part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process after the agent delivery of the apparatus management server apparatus shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a device management system according to an embodiment of the invention.
In this device management system, a device management server device 1 is connected to be able to communicate with an information processing device 2 and an image forming device 5 via a network 6 such as a local area network (LAN). Further, the image forming apparatus 3 and the projector apparatus 4 are communicably connected to the information processing apparatus 2 via a serial interface 7 such as a USB that is a local interface.

In this device management system, the device management server device 1 acquires device information from the image forming device 5 via the network 6, and each device of the image forming device 3 and the projector device 4 via the information processing device 2. Information is acquired, and the state of each device of the image forming device 3, the projector device 4, and the image forming device 5 is managed based on the device information.
In this device management system, the device management server device 1 can search the information processing device 2 and the image forming device 5 equally via the network 6, and the image forming device 3 and the projector device connected to the information processing device 2. 4 and the image forming apparatus 5 can be equally grasped.
That is, the device management server apparatus 1 logically equivalently connects the information processing apparatus 2 and the image forming apparatus 5 via the network 6.

In order to simplify the following description, only one information processing apparatus 2 and image forming apparatus 5 are shown on the network 6, and other information processing apparatuses and other apparatuses such as the image forming apparatus are not shown. In addition, a configuration example in which one image forming apparatus 3 and one projector apparatus 4 are connected to the information processing apparatus 2 is shown.
However, many other information processing apparatuses and devices such as image forming apparatuses and projector apparatuses may be connected to the network 6.

Further, the information processing apparatus 2 may be further connected to other devices such as an image forming apparatus or a projector apparatus.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus and the projector apparatus are shown as the apparatuses. However, a system configuration in which other apparatuses such as a storage device are connected may be used.
In this embodiment, the case where the network 6 and the serial interface 7 are wired will be described. However, even when they are wireless, the present invention can be performed in the same manner as described below.

Next, an outline of each internal configuration of the device management server apparatus 1, the information processing apparatus 2, the image forming apparatus 3, and the projector apparatus 4 will be described.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of the inside of the device management server apparatus 1, the information processing apparatus 2, the image forming apparatus 3, and the projector apparatus 4 illustrated in FIG.
The device management server device 1 corresponds to an information processing device such as a computer that can communicate with other information processing devices and devices connected to the network 6, and includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 11, and a communication unit 12.

The storage unit 11 is a storage device including a hard disk device. As information according to this embodiment, various information including an agent, a resource information transmission program, an installer, an uninstaller, and information used for optimum agent determination processing to be described later is included. Remember.
The agent is a device (an image connected to the information processing device 2 in this embodiment) connected to the other information processing device (corresponding to the information processing device 2 in this embodiment) and the information processing device through a local interface. It comprises a plurality of types of device information acquisition programs for performing processing for acquiring device information (corresponding to the forming device 3 and the projector device 4).
Each device information acquisition program is called a module.

The resource information transmission program is a program for causing another information processing apparatus to perform processing for transmitting resource information of the information processing apparatus to the device management server apparatus 1.
Furthermore, the installer is an installation program that causes another information processing apparatus to perform processing for installing a resource information transmission program or agent.

The uninstaller is an uninstall program that causes another information processing apparatus to perform processing for uninstalling the resource information transmission program, agent, and installation program installed in the information processing apparatus from the information processing apparatus. It is.
Further, each piece of information used for the optimum agent determination process includes reference information that defines a device information acquisition program according to the evaluation of the processing capability of other information processing apparatuses.
That is, the storage unit 11 corresponds to a holding unit.
The communication unit 12 communicates with the information processing apparatus 2 and the image forming apparatus 5 via the network 6.

The control unit 10 is realized by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and controls the entire device management server apparatus 1. As functional units according to this embodiment, a distribution destination search unit 13, a distribution unit 14, and an agent A determination processing unit 15 and a device state management unit 16 are provided.
The distribution destination search unit 13 functions as a search unit that searches the communication unit 12 for another information processing apparatus (the information processing apparatus 2 in this embodiment) that distributes the resource information transmission program and the installer from the network 6.

The distribution unit 14 distributes the resource information transmission program and the installer stored in the storage unit 11 (hereinafter also referred to as “owned”) to the other information processing apparatus searched by the distribution destination search unit 13 by the communication unit 12. It functions as a resource information transmission program distribution means.
In addition, the distribution unit 14 distributes the agent determined by the agent determination processing unit 15 held in the storage unit 11 to the information processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the resource information, and the device information acquisition program distribution that distributes the installer by the communication unit 12 It also functions as a means.

  Further, when the distribution unit 14 receives device information of a device connected to the information processing apparatus through a local interface from the information processing apparatus to which the agent and the installer are distributed, information on the distribution destination of the agent and the installer is received. It also functions as an uninstall program distribution means for distributing the uninstaller to the processing device by the communication unit 12.

  In addition, when the distribution unit 14 receives the resource information of the information processing apparatus from the resource information transmission program and the information processing apparatus to which the installer is distributed, the resource information transmission program and the information processing apparatus to which the installer is distributed Furthermore, it also functions as an uninstall program distribution means for distributing the uninstaller by the communication unit 12.

  When the communication unit 12 receives the resource information of the information processing apparatus from the resource information transmission program and another information processing apparatus to which the installer is distributed, the agent determination processing unit 15 determines the resource information based on the resource information. For determining the module to be executed by the information processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the resource information from among the modules of the agent held in the storage unit 11 in accordance with the evaluation Acts as a means of decision.

In addition, the agent determination processing unit 15 combines a plurality of types of processing programs (modules) held in the storage unit 11 in accordance with the evaluation, with respect to the agent to be executed by the information processing apparatus that is the resource information transmission source. It also functions as a means to determine the configured agent.
Furthermore, the agent determination processing unit 15 also functions as means for determining an agent to be executed by the information processing apparatus that is the transmission source of resource information as an agent determined in the reference information according to the evaluation.

  The device state management unit 16 transmits device information of the image forming device 3 and the projector device 4 transmitted from the information processing device 2 of the network 6, and device information of the image forming device 5 acquired from the image forming device 5 of the network 6. Are stored in the storage unit 11 and a process for centrally managing the states of the image forming apparatus 3, the projector apparatus 4, and the image forming apparatus 5 is performed.

In this embodiment, the case where the resource information transmission program and the installer are distributed to the information processing apparatus searched by the distribution destination search unit 13 will be described. However, in the case of distribution to a pre-registered distribution destination, the distribution destination search unit In this case, the distribution unit 14 functions as a resource information transmission program distribution unit that distributes the resource information transmission program and the installer stored in the storage unit 11 to another information processing apparatus. Fulfill.
In this case, the distribution unit 14 may be provided with a function of performing the distribution after checking whether the distribution destination registered in advance is connected to the network 6 and communication is possible.

Next, the information processing device 2 is an information processing device such as a computer that can communicate with the device management server device 1 connected to the network 6 and the devices of the image forming device 3 and the projector device 4 connected via the serial interface 7. This corresponds to a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, a communication unit 22, an input unit 23, and a display unit 24.
The storage unit 21 includes an agent, a resource information transmission program, an installer, and an uninstaller distributed from the device management server device 1, image data output to the image forming device 3, image data input from the image forming device 3, and a projector device 4 is a storage device such as a hard disk device that stores various programs and information including document and image data for displaying video.

The communication unit 22 communicates with the device management server apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 5 via the network 6 and communicates with the image forming apparatus 3 and the projector apparatus 4 via the serial interface 7.
The input unit 23 is an input device such as a keyboard for a user of the information processing device 2 to input various operation information to the information processing device 2.
The display unit 24 is a display device that displays various types of information such as operation screens to the user of the information processing apparatus 2.

The control unit 20 is realized by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM as described above. The control unit 20 controls the entire information processing apparatus 2, inputs and outputs image data to and from the image forming apparatus 3, and controls the projector apparatus 4. Controls the output of image data to be projected.
In addition, the control unit 20 stores the agent, resource information transmission program, installer, and uninstaller distributed from the device management server apparatus 1 in the storage unit 21 and executes the installer to install the resource information transmission program or agent. The process of installing the program in an executable manner and the process of uninstalling the resource information transmission program and the agent installed in the self apparatus by executing the uninstaller from the self apparatus.

Furthermore, when the control unit 20 installs the resource information transmission program in its own device, the resource information transmission unit 25 of the functional unit realized by the installation collects the resource information of the own device, and the collected resource information A process of transmitting to the device management server apparatus 1 by the communication unit 22 is performed.
The resource information includes information such as the RAM capacity, the number of CPU clocks, and the capacity of the storage unit 21 as information indicating the performance of the information processing apparatus 2.

  In addition, when the agent is installed in its own device, the control unit 20 causes the agent execution unit 26 of the functional unit realized by the installation to acquire the respective machine information of the image forming apparatus 3 and the projector apparatus 4, and Once stored in the storage unit 21, a process of transmitting to the device management server apparatus 1 by the communication unit 22 is performed.

Next, the image forming apparatus 3 is a printer, a copier, or a multifunction machine that can communicate with the information processing apparatus 2 connected to the serial interface 7, and includes a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, a communication unit 32, and an operation display unit 33. And an image forming unit 34.
The storage unit 31 is a storage device that stores various types of information such as image data received from the information processing apparatus 2 by the communication unit 32.
The communication unit 32 communicates with the information processing apparatus 2 via the serial interface 7.

The operation display unit 33 functions as an operation unit that allows the user of the image forming apparatus 3 to input various types of operation information to the image forming apparatus 3 and a display unit that displays information such as various operation screens to the user. I have.
The image forming unit 34 prints image data received from the information processing apparatus 2 by the communication unit 32 on a recording medium such as paper, reads an image described on a document, and acquires the image data.

The control unit 30 controls the entire image forming apparatus 3, and controls the printing, image reading, and the like, and transmits device information of the image forming apparatus 3 to the information processing apparatus 2 in response to a request from the information processing apparatus 2. The process of transmitting by 32 is also executed.
The device information in this case includes information on functions provided by the image forming apparatus 3 (for example, information indicating whether double-sided printing is possible), option configuration information (for example, information indicating the presence / absence of a double-sided unit or a sorter), and operation setting information. (For example, the type of paper that can be printed) and device information.

  Although not shown, the image forming apparatus 5 has the same internal configuration as the image forming apparatus 3 and communicates with the information processing apparatus 2 via the network 6. Since only the points that can be connected are different, detailed description thereof is omitted.

Next, the projector device 4 can communicate with the information processing device 2 connected to the serial interface 7, and includes a control unit 40, a storage unit 41, a communication unit 42, an operation unit 43, and an image projection unit 44. .
The storage unit 41 is a storage device that stores various types of information such as image data received from the information processing apparatus 2 by the communication unit 42.
The communication unit 42 communicates with the information processing apparatus 2 via the serial interface 7.
The operation unit 43 is an input unit through which a user of the projector device 4 inputs various operation information to the projector device 4.

The image projection unit 44 projects a still image or a moving image based on the image data received from the information processing apparatus 2.
The control unit 40 is responsible for overall control of the projector device 4, and controls the projection processing of images and video, as well as processing for transmitting device information of the projector device 4 to the information processing device 2 in response to a request from the information processing device 2. Also execute.
The device information in this case includes information such as information on functions provided by the projector device 4, option configuration information, operation setting information, and device information.

Next, an example of the contents of the agent will be described.
The agent is composed of one or a plurality of processing programs. Each processing program is called a module.
The storage unit 11 of the device management server apparatus 1 stores a plurality of types of agents according to the evaluation of the processing capabilities of other information processing apparatuses including the information processing apparatus 2.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a module pattern of a plurality of types of agents.
3A to 3D show an example of the module configuration of each agent of the patterns A to D, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the agent of pattern A includes modules of a device search unit 50, a device state acquisition unit 52, and a resource monitor 53.
In addition, the pattern B agent includes modules of the device search unit 50 and the resource monitor 53 as shown in FIG.
Furthermore, the agent of the pattern C includes modules of the device search unit 50 and the SNMP Trap emulator 51 as shown in FIG.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3D, the agent of the pattern D includes modules of a device search unit 50, an SNMP Trap emulator 51, a device state acquisition unit 52, and a resource monitor 53.

The device search unit 50 is a program for executing processing for searching for a device connected to the information processing device through a local interface when executed by the information processing device (including the information processing device 2) as a distribution destination. It is a module.
The SNMP Trap emulator 51 is a program module that, when executed by a distribution-destination information processing apparatus, causes the information processing apparatus to execute a process for simulating SNMP Trap.

Furthermore, the device status acquisition unit 52, when executed by the information processing device as the distribution destination, causes the information processing device to acquire (collect) device information of the device connected to the information processing device through a local interface, It is a program module for executing processing for transmitting acquired device information to the device management server apparatus 1.
Furthermore, when the resource monitor 53 is executed by the information processing apparatus of the distribution destination, the resource information of the information processing apparatus or the resource information of the device connected to the information processing apparatus through the local interface is displayed on the information processing apparatus. It is a program module for executing a process for monitoring and transmitting the monitored resource information to the device management server apparatus 1.

Next, the agent distribution process of the device management server apparatus 1 will be described.
The agent distribution process may be performed at a predetermined time interval, for example. Alternatively, it may be executed when designated by the administrator of the device management server apparatus 1.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing agent distribution processing of the device management server apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

In step (indicated by “S” in the figure) 1, the distribution destination search unit 13 of the control unit 10 executes a process of searching for the information processing apparatus to which the resource information transmission program is distributed by the communication unit 12. move on.
In step 2, the distribution unit 14 distributes the resource information transmission program and its installer to the distribution destination information processing apparatus searched by the communication unit 12, and proceeds to step 3.

  For example, when the information processing device 2 is searched, the control unit 20 of the information processing device 2 is realized by executing the installer, installing the resource information transmission program in the own device, and executing the resource information transmission program. The resource information transmission unit 25, which is a function unit to be transmitted, transmits the resource information of the own device to the device management server device 1.

In step 3, the distribution unit 14 determines whether or not the communication unit 12 has received resource information from the information processing apparatus as a distribution destination. If received, the process proceeds to step 4 and has not been received. If so (N), go to Step 6.
In step 4, the distribution unit 14 stores the resource information received from the information processing apparatus as the distribution destination by the communication unit 12 in the storage unit 11, and proceeds to step 5.

In step 5, the distribution unit 14 distributes the uninstaller of the resource information transmission program to the information processing apparatus that has acquired the resource information by the communication unit 12, and proceeds to step 6.
For example, when the distribution destination of the resource information transmission program is the information processing apparatus 2, the control unit 20 of the information processing apparatus 2 uninstalls the resource information transmission program installed in the own apparatus by executing the uninstaller from the own apparatus. Then remove the installer and uninstaller.

  In this way, after acquiring the resource information from the information processing apparatus to which the resource information transmission program is distributed, if the resource information transmission program and the installer are uninstalled, the resource of the information processing apparatus, particularly in this case, Storage capacity can be saved.

In step 6, the distribution unit 14 determines whether or not resource information has been received from all information processing apparatuses of distribution destinations. If received, the process proceeds to step 7, and if not received (N In the case of), the process returns to Step 3.
In step 7, the agent determination processing unit 15 executes optimal agent determination processing, and proceeds to step 8.
In step 8, the distribution unit 14 distributes the agent and the installer determined by the communication unit 12 to the information processing apparatus from which the resource information is acquired, and ends this process.

  For example, when the information processing apparatus 2 is the distribution destination of the agent and the installer, the control unit 20 of the information processing apparatus 2 is realized by executing the installer, installing the agent in the own apparatus, and executing the agent. The agent execution unit 26 as a function unit acquires device information of the image forming apparatus 3 and the projector device 4 connected to the own device through the serial interface 7 and transmits the device information to the device management server device 1.

  In this way, the device management server device 1 connects the image forming device 3 and the projector device 4 via the local interface 7 connected to the network 6 in the same manner as the device including the image forming device 5 connected to the network 6. When acquiring device information of the image forming device 3 and the projector device 4 from the information processing device 2 to be connected, the contents of the agent, which is a program for acquiring device information to be installed in the information processing device 2, are stored in the information processing device 2. Since the processing load is reduced according to the contents of the resource, the processing load on the information processing apparatus 2 can be reduced.

Next, an example of processing for searching for an information processing apparatus to which the resource information transmission program is distributed in step 1 will be described.
The distribution destination search unit 13 uses, for example, a predetermined IP address range as a search range, confirms a response from the information processing apparatus on the network 6 specified by each IP address by a ping command, and based on the confirmation result, An information processing apparatus that can communicate with the device management server apparatus 1 is specified. In this way, a plurality of information processing devices on the network 6 including the information processing device 2 of FIG. 1 can be searched.

  The ping command is a program for diagnosing a TCP / IP network such as the Internet or an intranet. When an IP address of a computer to be checked whether it is connected to the network 6 is specified, ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is used. Usually, data of about 32 bytes is transmitted, and the network can be diagnosed based on data such as whether there is a reply from the partner computer and how long it takes if there is a reply.

  In the above description, the method of confirming whether communication with the information processing apparatus is confirmed using the ping command is not limited to this method, and the information processing apparatus on the network 6 is not limited to this method. Any network diagnostic program may be used as long as it can be confirmed whether or not communication is possible.

Next, an example of the optimum agent determination process in step 7 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the optimum agent determination process of the agent determination processing unit 15 shown in FIG.
The agent determination processing unit 15 in FIG. 1 executes the processes of steps 11 to 16 as the optimum agent determination process.

In step 11, information on allowable values for each resource of the information processing apparatus is acquired, and the process proceeds to step 12.
For example, it is assumed that there are m (m is an integer greater than or equal to 1) information processing apparatuses searched for as an agent distribution destination.
In addition, it is assumed that there are n resources (n is an integer of 1 or more) existing in each information processing apparatus.
In this case, based on the resource information acquired from each of the m information processing devices, the “allowable value” of the resource i (i is an integer of 1 or more) for the information processing device k (k is an integer of 1 or more) 1 matrix R _ik .

In step 12, information on consumption for each resource of all modules is acquired, and the process proceeds to step 13.
For example, it is assumed that there are p (p is an integer of 1 or more) types of modules that can be included in the agent.
In this case, the “consumption amount” of the resource i for the module j included in the agent (j is an integer equal to or greater than 1) can be represented by the matrix X _ij of _Formula 2 based on the acquired information on each consumption amount.

In step 13, module combination pattern information is acquired, and the process proceeds to step 14.
For example, a Boolean matrix representing a module combination pattern l (el) can be represented by a matrix B _{jl of Formula} 3 (the subscript “l” is a lowercase letter L).
Q of b _{pq in Equation} 3 (q is an integer of 1 or more) is a Boolean matrix of the power set of p in Equation 4.
However, although the pattern l (el, l is an integer of 1 or more) is a theoretical power set of p, the combination of modules does not need to be an exact power set, and a practically possible combination is selected.

In step 14, resource consumption information is calculated for each module combination pattern, and the process proceeds to step 15.
For example, when a matrix Y _{il of Formula} 5 (subscript “l” is an alphabetic lowercase letter L) is calculated, the resource consumption Y for the module combination pattern l (el) can be derived.
In step 15, information on the surplus amount of resources for each combination pattern of modules is calculated for the information processing apparatus, and the process proceeds to step 16.
For example, when the information processing device k is subjected to the calculation of the matrix Z _{il of Formula} 6 (the subscript “l” is the lowercase letter L), the combination of the resource surplus amounts for the information processing device k can be calculated. it can.

In step 16, an agent to be distributed to the information processing apparatus is determined based on the information on the surplus amount of resources and the evaluation criterion information, and this process is terminated.
For example, when an appropriate evaluation criterion set in advance, for example, when there is no negative matrix element in the resource surplus amount and the sum of the patterns l (L) is minimized, the combination pattern l ( The agent to be distributed to the information processing apparatus k.

Next, a specific example of the optimum agent determination process will be described.
An example of the matrix R _ik value of _Equation 1 is shown in Table 1. Each value of PC1 in Table 1 is used as resource information of the information processing apparatus 2.
Table 2 shows an example of the value of the matrix X _ij of _Formula 2 for the information processing apparatus 2.
Further, Table 3 shows an example of values of the matrix B _jl of the above formula 3.
The patterns A to D in Table 3 are combinations of patterns that can be actually taken. That is, it is a candidate for a combination of agent modules.

The value “1” in Table 3 indicates that the corresponding module is selected, and “0” indicates that the corresponding module is not selected. For example, for the pattern A, since the device search unit is “1”, the SNMP Trap emulator is “0”, the device state acquisition unit is “1”, and the resource monitor is “1”, the device search unit, the device state acquisition unit, And an agent composed of each module of the resource monitor.
Then, Y _il is calculated for the information processing apparatus 2 based on the value of x _ij in Table 2 and the value of b _jl in Table 3.
The calculation results are listed below.

_Yil = _Xij * _Bjl , i = 1-3, j = 1-4, l (el) = 1-4
Y ₁₁ = x ₁₁ · b ₁₁ + x ₁₂ · b ₂₁ + x ₁₃ · b ₃₁ + x ₁₄ · b ₄₁
= (10 × 1) + (5 × 0) + (20 × 1) + (20 × 1) = 50
Y ₁₂ = x ₁₁ · b ₁₂ + x ₁₂ · b ₂₂ + x ₁₃ · b ₃₂ + x ₁₄ · b ₄₂
= (10 × 1) + (5 × 0) + (20 × 0) + (20 × 1) = 30
Y ₁₃ = x ₁₁ · b ₁₃ + x ₁₂ · b ₂₃ + x ₁₃ · b ₃₃ + x ₁₄ · b ₄₃
= (10 × 1) + (5 × 1) + (20 × 0) + (20 × 0) = 15
Y ₁₄ = x ₁₁ · b ₁₄ + x ₁₂ · b ₂₄ + x ₁₃ · b ₃₄ + x ₁₄ · b ₄₄
= (10 × 1) + (5 × 1) + (20 × 1) + (20 × 1) = 55

Y ₂₁ = x ₂₁ · b ₁₁ + x ₂₂ · b ₂₁ + x ₂₃ · b ₃₁ + x ₂₄ · b ₄₁
= (1 × 1) + (0.5 × 0) + (1 × 1) + (1 × 1) = 3
Y ₂₂ = x ₂₁ · b ₁₂ + x ₂₂ · b ₂₂ + x ₂₃ · b ₃₂ + x ₂₄ · b ₄₂
= (1 × 1) + (0.5 × 0) + (1 × 0) + (1 × 1) = 2
Y ₂₃ = x ₂₁ · b ₁₃ + x ₂₂ · b ₂₃ + x ₂₃ · b ₃₃ + x ₂₄ · b ₄₃
= (1 × 1) + (0.5 × 1) + (1 × 0) + (1 × 0) = 1.5
Y ₂₄ = x ₂₁ · b ₁₄ + x ₂₂ · b ₂₄ + x ₂₃ · b ₃₄ + x ₂₄ · b ₄₄
= (1 × 1) + (0.5 × 1) + (1 × 1) + (1 × 1) = 3.5

Y ₃₁ = x ₃₁ · b ₁₁ + x ₃₂ · b ₂₁ + x ₃₃ · b ₃₁ + x ₃₄ · b ₄₁
= (30 × 1) + (20 × 0) + (40 × 1) + (30 × 1) = 100
Y ₃₂ = x ₃₁ · b ₁₂ + x ₃₂ · b ₂₂ + x ₃₃ · b ₃₂ + x ₃₄ · b ₄₂
= (30 × 1) + (20 × 0) + (40 × 0) + (30 × 1) = 60
Y ₃₃ = x ₃₁ · b ₁₃ + x ₃₂ · b ₂₃ + x ₃₃ · b ₃₃ + x ₃₄ · b ₄₃
= (30 × 1) + (20 × 1) + (40 × 0) + (30 × 0) = 50
Y ₃₄ = x ₃₁ · b ₁₄ + x ₃₂ · b ₂₄ + x ₃₃ · b ₃₄ + x ₃₄ · b ₄₄
= (30 × 1) + (20 × 1) + (40 × 1) + (30 × 1) = 120
The calculation results are summarized as shown in Table 4.

Next, the information processing apparatus 2 calculates the Z _il of the number 6 on the basis of the respective values shown in each value and Table 4 shown in PC1 in Table 1.
The calculation results are listed below.

_{Z il = R ik -Y il,} i = 1~3, k = 1, l ( el) = 1-4
Z ₁₁ = r ₁₁ −Y ₁₁
= (256-50) = 206
Z ₁₂ = r ₁₁ −Y ₁₂
= (256-30) = 226
Z ₁₃ = r ₁₁ −Y ₁₃
= (256-15) = 241
Z ₁₄ = r ₁₁ −Y ₁₄
= (256-55) = 201

Z ₂₁ = r ₂₁ −Y ₂₁
= (2.5-3) =-0.5
Z ₂₂ = r ₂₁ −Y ₂₂
= (2.5-2) = 0.5
Z ₂₃ = r ₂₁ −Y ₂₃
= (2.5-1.5) = 1
Z ₂₄ = r ₂₁ −Y ₂₄
= (2.5-3.5) =-1

Z ₃₁ = r ₃₁ −Y ₃₁
= (500-100) = 400
Z ₃₂ = r ₃₁ −Y ₃₂
= (500-60) = 440
Z ₃₃ = _r 31 _{-Y 33}
= (500-50) = 450
Z ₃₄ = r ₃₁ −Y ₃₄
= (500-120) = 380

The calculation results are summarized as shown in Table 5.
Here, when an appropriate evaluation criterion set in advance, for example, when there is no negative matrix element in the resource surplus amount and the CPU surplus amount is the largest, the agent of the combination pattern l of the modules satisfying the evaluation criterion is Since the pattern C corresponds to the pattern B or C having a non-negative element in Table 5, the agent of the pattern C including the modules of the device search unit and the SNMP Trap emulator is selected.

Note that the above-described evaluation criterion is an example, and the agent pattern may be determined by giving priority to the surplus amount of RAM or storage.
Alternatively, the agent pattern having the largest surplus amount may be determined by a plurality of combinations of CPU, RAM, or storage.
Furthermore, the above-described agent determination process is an example, and the processing capability of the information processing apparatus is evaluated based on the resource information of the information processing apparatus, and a device information acquisition program to be executed by the information processing apparatus is determined according to the evaluation. If it is an algorithm, it may be determined using other processing different from the above.

Next, processing after agent distribution in the device management server apparatus 1 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing after agent distribution of the device management server apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
The control unit 10 of the device management server apparatus 1 executes the processes of the following steps 21 to 24 after distributing the above-described agent, and after acquiring the device information from the information processing apparatus to which the agent is distributed, uninstalls the agent and the installer. Perform the installation process.

In step 21, it is determined whether or not device information has been received from the information processing apparatus as the distribution destination. If received (if Y), the process proceeds to step 22, and if not received (if N), step 24. Proceed to
In step 22, the device information is stored in the storage unit 11, and the process proceeds to step 23.
In step 23, the agent uninstaller is distributed to the information processing apparatus from which the device information is acquired by the communication unit 12, and the process proceeds to step 24.

For example, when the distribution destination of the uninstaller is the information processing apparatus 2, the control unit 20 of the information processing apparatus 2 uninstalls the agent installed in the own apparatus by executing the uninstaller, and then uninstalls the installer and the uninstaller. Also remove the installer.
In this way, after acquiring the device information from the information processing apparatus to which the agent is distributed, if the agent and the installer are uninstalled, the resources of the information processing apparatus, particularly in this case, the storage capacity can be saved. be able to.
In step 24, it is determined whether or not the device information has been received from the information processing apparatuses of all distribution destinations. If not received (in the case of N), the process returns to step 21; The process ends.

Although the description of the embodiment has been completed above, in the present invention, the specific configuration of each unit, the content of processing, the data format, and the like are not limited to those described in the embodiment.
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to the device management server apparatus has been described.
However, the present invention can be applied to any information processing apparatus as long as it has a function enabling communication with other information processing apparatuses connected to the network.

  Furthermore, the program of the present invention can be configured as a program for causing a computer to control various devices and realizing the functions of the device management server apparatus described above.

  That is, resource information transmission that is communicable with another information processing apparatus connected to the network and causes the other information processing apparatus to perform processing for transmitting the resource information of the other information processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus. A program, a plurality of types of device information acquisition programs for causing the other information processing device to perform processing for acquiring device information of a device connected to the other information processing device through a local interface, and the other information processing device The following resource information transmission program distribution procedure and program to a computer that controls an information processing apparatus having holding means for holding the resource information transmission program or an installation program for performing processing for installing the device information acquisition program The determination procedure and the device information acquisition program distribution procedure are executed. It is possible to program for.

The resource information transmission program distribution procedure is a procedure for distributing the resource information transmission program and the installation program held in the holding means to the other information processing apparatus.
In addition, when the program determination procedure receives the resource information of the other information processing apparatus from the other information processing apparatus to which the resource information transmission program and the installation program are distributed, the resource information is based on the resource information. The other information processing apparatus of the transmission source of the resource information is evaluated, and the other information processing apparatus of the transmission source of the resource information is selected from the device information acquisition programs held in the holding means according to the evaluation This is a procedure for determining a device information acquisition program to be executed.
Further, the device information acquisition program distribution procedure includes the device information acquisition program and the installation program determined by the program determination procedure held in the holding means in the other information processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the resource information. It is a procedure to distribute.

  Further, the apparatus information acquisition program that causes the computer to execute the other information processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the resource information is selected from among a plurality of processing programs held in the holding unit according to the evaluation. It is also possible to include a procedure of combining a plurality of types and determining the device information acquisition program.

  Further, the holding means causes the other information processing apparatus to perform processing for uninstalling the device information acquisition program and the installation program installed in the information processing apparatus from the other information processing apparatus. A device of an apparatus that has an installation program and is connected to the program from the other information processing apparatus to which the apparatus information acquisition program and the installation program are distributed to the other information processing apparatus through a local interface. When the information is received, an uninstallation program distribution procedure for distributing the uninstallation program to the other information processing apparatus to which the device information acquisition program and the installation program are distributed can be included.

  In addition, the holding means holds reference information that defines a device information acquisition program according to the evaluation of the processing capability of the other information processing apparatus, and the program stores the reference information for the transmission source of the resource information in the program. The device information acquisition program to be executed by the information processing apparatus may be included in the device information acquisition program defined in the reference information according to the evaluation.

  Further, a search procedure for searching for another information processing apparatus that distributes the resource information transmission program and the installation program from the network to the computer, and the other information processing apparatus searched by the search procedure A procedure for distributing the resource information transmission program and the installation program held in the holding means may be included.

Such a program is stored in advance in the memory of the device management server apparatus, and is also recorded on a recording medium such as a CD, or a non-volatile recording medium such as a flexible disk, SRAM, EEPROM, or memory card, or via a network. It can also be made available for download. Then, each function of the device management server device of the above-described embodiment can be realized by installing the program and causing the CPU to execute the program, or causing the CPU to acquire and execute the program from the memory or the download server. .
Further, it goes without saying that the configurations of the embodiments described above can be implemented in any combination as long as they do not contradict each other.

1: Device management server device 2: Information processing device 3, 5: Image forming device 4: Projector device 6: Network 7: Serial interface 10, 20, 30, 40: Control unit 11, 21, 31, 41: Storage unit 12 , 22, 32, 42: communication unit 13: distribution destination search unit 14: distribution unit 15: agent determination processing unit 16: device state management unit 23: input unit 24: display unit 25: resource information transmission unit 26: agent execution unit 33: Operation display unit 34: Image forming unit 43: Operation unit 44: Image projection unit 50: Device search unit 51: SNMP Trap emulator 52: Device state acquisition unit 53: Resource monitor

JP 2009-238203 A

Claims (10)

An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with another information processing apparatus connected to a network,
A resource information transmission program for causing the other information processing apparatus to perform processing for transmitting resource information of the other information processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus, and the other information processing apparatus and the local interface. A plurality of types of device information acquisition programs for performing processing for acquiring device information of the devices connected in, and processing for installing the resource information transmission program or the device information acquisition program in the other information processing apparatus Possession means possessing an installation program
Resource information transmission program distribution means for distributing the resource information transmission program held in the holding means to the other information processing apparatus and the installation program;
When the resource information of the other information processing device is received from the other information processing device to which the resource information transmission program and the installation program are distributed, the other information source of the resource information based on the resource information A device information acquisition program that evaluates the processing capability of the information processing device and causes the other information processing device that is the transmission source of the resource information to execute from among the device information acquisition programs held in the holding unit according to the evaluation Program determining means for determining
A device information acquisition program distribution unit that distributes the installation program and a device information acquisition program determined by the program determination unit stored in the storage unit in the other information processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the resource information; An information processing apparatus characterized by that.   The program determining unit is configured to select a plurality of types of device information acquisition programs to be executed by the other information processing apparatus as a transmission source of the resource information from among a plurality of processing programs held in the holding unit according to the evaluation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining a device information acquisition program configured in combination. The possessing unit is an uninstaller that causes the other information processing apparatus to perform processing for uninstalling the device information acquisition program and the installation program installed in the other information processing apparatus from the other information processing apparatus. I have an installation program,
When device information of a device connected to the other information processing device via a local interface is received from the other information processing device to which the device information acquisition program and the installation program are distributed, the device information acquisition program and the installation The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an uninstallation program distribution unit that distributes the uninstallation program to the other information processing apparatus to which the program is distributed. The holding means holds reference information that defines a device information acquisition program according to the evaluation of the processing capability of the other information processing apparatus,
The program determining means includes means for determining a device information acquisition program to be executed by the other information processing apparatus as a transmission source of the resource information as a device information acquisition program defined in the reference information according to the evaluation. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Search means for searching for another information processing apparatus that distributes the resource information transmission program and the installation program from the network,
The resource information transmission program distribution means includes means for distributing the resource information transmission program held in the holding means and the installation program to the other information processing apparatus searched by the search means. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A resource information transmission program capable of communicating with another information processing apparatus connected to a network, and causing the other information processing apparatus to perform processing for transmitting resource information of the other information processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus; A plurality of types of device information acquisition programs for causing the other information processing device to acquire device information of devices connected to the other information processing device through a local interface; and the resource information to the other information processing device. To a computer that controls an information processing apparatus having a holding unit that holds a transmission program or an installation program for performing processing for installing the device information acquisition program,
A resource information transmission program distribution procedure for distributing the resource information transmission program held in the holding means and the installation program to the other information processing apparatus;
When the resource information of the other information processing device is received from the other information processing device to which the resource information transmission program and the installation program are distributed, the other information source of the resource information based on the resource information A device information acquisition program that evaluates the processing capability of the information processing device and causes the other information processing device that is the transmission source of the resource information to execute from among the device information acquisition programs held in the holding unit according to the evaluation A program determination procedure for determining
Execute the device information acquisition program determined by the program determination procedure held in the holding means and the device information acquisition program distribution procedure for distributing the installation program to the other information processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the resource information Program to let you.   A device information acquisition program that causes the computer to execute the other information processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the resource information is combined with a plurality of types of processing programs held in the holding unit according to the evaluation. The program according to claim 6, which is executed by including the procedure for determining the configured device information acquisition program. The possessing unit is an uninstaller that causes the other information processing apparatus to perform processing for uninstalling the device information acquisition program and the installation program installed in the other information processing apparatus from the other information processing apparatus. I have an installation program,
When the computer receives device information of a device connected to the other information processing device via a local interface from the other information processing device to which the device information acquisition program and the installation program are distributed, the device information acquisition The program according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the program and the other information processing apparatus to which the installation program is distributed include an uninstallation program distribution procedure for distributing the uninstallation program. The holding means holds reference information that defines a device information acquisition program according to the evaluation of the processing capability of the other information processing apparatus,
Executes the computer information acquisition program to be executed by the other information processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the resource information, including a procedure for determining the device information acquisition program defined in the reference information according to the evaluation. The program as described in any one of Claim 6 thru | or 8 for making it do.   A search procedure for searching the computer for another information processing device that distributes the resource information transmission program and the installation program from the network, and the other information processing device searched by the search procedure holds in the holding means The program as described in any one of Claims 6 thru | or 9 performed including the procedure which distributes the said resource information transmission program and the said installation program which were performed.

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