Remote maintenance system, maintenance apparatus, program, and remote maintenance method

Abstract

To provide a remote maintenance system and a remote maintenance method which reduce burden of management of configuration information, and a maintenance apparatus, maintenance target apparatus, and a program.SOLUTION: The present invention is directed to an operation of a remote maintenance system. Configuration information set with a maintenance target apparatus 1 is uploaded from the maintenance target apparatus 1 to a maintenance apparatus 2. The maintenance apparatus 2 receives edition of the uploaded configuration information from an operation terminal 3, thereby generating configuration updated information. The maintenance target apparatus 1 downloads the configuration updated information from the maintenance apparatus 2 and, in accordance with the configuration updated information, updates the configuration set in its own apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote maintenance technique for remotely maintaining a maintenance target device from a maintenance device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for setting configuration information from a server on the Internet to a terminal connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) via a router. In this technique, the router obtains configuration information from a management server via the Internet. Then, when the terminal starts up, it obtains the configuration information from the router via the LAN and sets it in itself.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a remote maintenance technique that allows configuration information (setting information) to be set in an automated teller machine at any time. In this remote maintenance technique, the automated teller machine transmits a setting request signal to a management server, and in response, the management server transmits configuration information for the automated teller machine to the automated teller machine. The automated teller machine then sets the configuration information received from the management server in itself. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-246414 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-84234 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The number of setting items in the configuration information of on-premise servers, such as the main unit of a business phone system, is increasing day by day due to the need to support a variety of services. This has led to an increase in the burden of managing the configuration information. For example, when troubleshooting a malfunction or adding a desired service, a maintenance technician must visit the on-premise server to correctly identify the relevant setting items from the vast number of setting items in the configuration information and set the correct values ​​for those items. This on-site work places a heavy burden on both the maintenance technician and the on-site technician. Neither Patent Document 1 nor Patent Document 2 takes this point into consideration.

[0006] In other words, even when the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are applied to remotely set the configuration information of an on-premises server, creating updated configuration information to be registered in the management server requires on-site work to check the settings of the enormous number of setting items in the configuration information set on the on-premises server one by one.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a remote maintenance technique that can reduce the burden of managing configuration information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problem, in the present invention, when a predetermined upload event occurs, such as receiving an upload instruction or arriving at a periodic upload timing, the maintenance target device accesses a maintenance device and uploads the configuration information set in the device to the maintenance device. In response, the maintenance device accepts, from an operator, editing of the configuration information uploaded by the maintenance target device. The configuration information edited by the operator is then linked to the maintenance target device as configuration update information and registered. Furthermore, when a predetermined download event occurs, such as receiving a download instruction or arriving at a periodic download timing, the maintenance target device accesses the maintenance device and downloads the configuration update information linked to the device from the maintenance device. The maintenance target device then updates the configuration information set in the device according to the configuration update information downloaded from the maintenance device.

[0009] For example, the present invention provides A remote maintenance system comprising at least one maintenance target device and a maintenance device that remotely maintains the maintenance target device, The maintenance target device is an upload request means for transmitting an upload request including configuration information set in the device to the maintenance device when a predetermined upload event occurs; download request means for transmitting a download request to the maintenance device when a predetermined download event occurs, and downloading configuration update information from the maintenance device; a configuration update means for updating the configuration information set in the device itself in accordance with the configuration update information downloaded by the download request means, The maintenance device includes: an upload processing means for acquiring the configuration information included in the upload request received from the maintenance target device; an edit receiving means for receiving edits of the configuration information acquired by the upload processing means; update information registration means for registering the configuration information edited by the edit receiving means as the configuration update information in association with the maintenance target device from which the configuration information was uploaded; The maintenance target device further includes a download processing means for transmitting, in accordance with the download request received from the maintenance target device, the configuration update information associated with the maintenance target device and registered therein, to the maintenance target device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In this invention, configuration information set in a maintenance target device is uploaded from the maintenance target device to the maintenance device, and the maintenance device creates configuration update information by accepting editing of this uploaded configuration information from an operator (maintenance person).The maintenance target device then downloads the configuration update information from the maintenance device and updates the configuration information set in its own device in accordance with this configuration update information.

[0011] This eliminates the need for on-site work to manage configuration information, and maintenance personnel do not need to visit the device under maintenance, while the on-site staff is not burdened with accepting maintenance personnel. Therefore, according to the present invention, the burden of managing configuration information can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a remote maintenance system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the remote maintenance system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the remote maintenance system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is a continuation of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the maintenance target device 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of the maintenance target device 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the maintenance device 2. As shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the maintenance device 2. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the maintenance device 2, and is a continuation of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a remote maintenance system according to this embodiment.

[0015] As shown in the figure, the remote maintenance system of this embodiment is configured by connecting at least one maintenance target device 1 and a maintenance device 2 that remotely maintains the maintenance target device 1 via a WAN (Wide Area Network) 5.

[0016] In this embodiment, the device to be maintained 1 is assumed to be a main device of a business phone system that accommodates a plurality of extension telephones 4 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 6 and provides telephone services to these extension telephones 4. An operation terminal 3 is connected to the maintenance device 2 via a LAN 7.

[0017] 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams for explaining the operation of the remote maintenance system according to this embodiment.

[0018] First, it is assumed that a predetermined upload event occurs in the maintenance target device 1, such as receipt of an upload instruction from a user or arrival of a periodic upload timing (S100). In response to this, the maintenance target device 1 transmits an upload request including the configuration information set in the device itself and authentication information (account name, password) of the device itself to the maintenance device 2 (S101).

[0019] Next, when the maintenance device 2 receives the upload request from the maintenance target device 1, it authenticates the maintenance target device 1 that is the upload request source using the authentication information included in the upload request and account information that is linked to the maintenance target device 1 that is the upload request source and registered in advance (S102).If the authentication is successful, it registers the configuration information included in the upload request in linkage with the maintenance target device 1 that is the upload request source (S103).

[0020] Thereafter, when a configuration information request including the designation of this maintenance target device 1 is received from the operation terminal 3, the configuration information registered in association with this maintenance target device 1 is sent to the operation terminal 3 together with information on this maintenance target device 1 (S104).

[0021] Next, the operation terminal 3 displays the configuration information received from the maintenance device 2 and the information of the maintenance target device 1 that has requested the upload (S105), and accepts an operation to edit the configuration information from the operator (S106). Then, the operation terminal 3 transmits the edited content resulting from the accepted editing operation to the maintenance device 2 (S107). In response to this, the maintenance device 2 edits the configuration information being displayed on the operation terminal 3 in accordance with the edited content accepted from the operation terminal 3 (S108).

[0022] Then, when the operation terminal 3 receives a registration operation from the operator (S109), it transmits a registration instruction to the maintenance device 2 (S110). In response to this, the maintenance device 2 links the configuration information being edited to the maintenance target device 1 linked to this configuration information, and registers it as configuration update information (S111).

[0023] Next, it is assumed that a predetermined download event occurs in the maintenance target device 1, such as receipt of a download instruction from a user or arrival of a periodic download timing (S112). In response to this, the maintenance target device 1 transmits a download request including its own authentication information to the maintenance device 2 (S113).

[0024] Next, when the maintenance device 2 receives a download request from the maintenance target device 1, it authenticates the maintenance target device 1 that has made the download request using the authentication information included in the download request and account information that has been registered in advance and associated with the maintenance target device 1 that has made the download request (S114). If the authentication is successful, the maintenance device 2 checks whether a reflection flag is set in the configuration update information that has been registered in association with the maintenance target device 1 that has made the download request (S115). Here, the reflection flag is not set in the configuration update information. In this case, the maintenance device 2 transmits the configuration update information that has been registered in association with the maintenance target device 1 that has made the download request to the maintenance target device 1 that has made the download request (S116).

[0025] When the maintenance target device 1 receives the configuration update information from the maintenance device 2, it updates the configuration information set in the device itself in accordance with this configuration update information (S117). Then, it transmits an update result notice indicating the update result to the maintenance device 2 (S118). In response to this, the maintenance device 2 transmits the update result notice received from the maintenance target device 1 to the operation terminal 3 together with information about the maintenance target device 1 (S119). Furthermore, the maintenance device 2 confirms that the update result included in this update result notice is a successful update, and sets a reflection flag in the configuration update information registered in association with the maintenance target device 1 that is the sender of this update result notice (S120). Meanwhile, the operation terminal 3 displays the update result notice received from the maintenance device 2 and information about the maintenance target device 1 (S121).

[0026] Next, it is assumed that a predetermined download event has newly occurred in the maintenance target device 1 (S122). In response to this, the maintenance target device 1 transmits a download request including its own authentication information to the maintenance device 2 (S123).

[0027] When the maintenance device 2 receives a download request from the maintenance target device 1, it authenticates the maintenance target device 1 that has made the download request using the authentication information included in the download request and account information that has been linked to the maintenance target device 1 that has made the download request and registered in advance (S124). If the authentication is successful, the maintenance device 2 checks whether a reflection flag is set in the configuration update information that has been registered and linked to the maintenance target device 1 that has made the download request (S125). In this case, the reflection flag is set in the configuration update information. In this case, the maintenance device 2 does not transmit the configuration update information to the maintenance target device 1 that has made the download request, but instead transmits a reflection completion notification indicating that the latest configuration information has been set (S126).

[0028] Next, the maintenance target device 1 and the maintenance device 2 that constitute the remote maintenance system according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0029] First, the maintenance target device 1 will be described in detail.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the maintenance target device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0031] As shown in the figure, the maintenance target device 1 has a network interface unit 10, an account information storage unit 11, a configuration information storage unit 12, an upload request unit 13, a download request unit 14, and a configuration information update unit 15.

[0032] The network interface unit 10 is an interface for connecting to the maintenance device 2 via the WAN 5 .

[0033] The account information storage unit 11 stores account information for receiving remote maintenance services from the maintenance device 2. This account information includes authentication information (account name, password).

[0034] The configuration information storage unit 12 stores configuration information set in the device itself.

[0035] When a predetermined upload event occurs, such as when an upload instruction is received from a user or when a periodic upload timing arrives, the upload request unit 13 transmits an upload request to the maintenance device 2, the upload request including the configuration information stored in the configuration information storage unit 12 and the authentication information included in the account information stored in the account information storage unit 11.

[0036] When a predetermined download event occurs, such as when a download instruction is received from a user or when a periodic download timing arrives, the download request unit 14 transmits a download request including authentication information contained in the account information stored in the account information storage unit 11 to the maintenance device 2, and downloads the configuration update information from the maintenance device 2.

[0037] The configuration information update unit 15 updates the configuration information set in its own device in accordance with the configuration update information downloaded from the maintenance device 2 by the download request unit 14. Then, it transmits an update result notification including the update result to the maintenance device 2.

[0038] 4 is realized in hardware using an integrated logic IC such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or in software using a computer such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).Alternatively, it is realized as a process in a general-purpose computer such as a PC (Personal Computer) equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and a communication device such as a NIC (Network Interface Card), by the CPU loading a predetermined program from the auxiliary storage device into the memory and executing it.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of the maintenance target device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0040] When a predetermined upload event occurs (YES in S200), the upload request unit 13 transmits an upload request including the configuration information stored in the configuration information storage unit 12 and the authentication information included in the account information stored in the account information storage unit 11 to the maintenance device 2 via the network interface unit 10 (S201). Then, the process returns to S200.

[0041] Furthermore, when a predetermined download event occurs (YES in S2002), the download request unit 14 transmits a download request including authentication information contained in the account information stored in the account information storage unit 11 to the maintenance device 2 via the network interface unit 10 (S203). Then, when configuration update information is received from the maintenance device 2 (YES in S204), the download request unit 14 passes the received configuration update information to the configuration information update unit 15. In response to this, the configuration information update unit 15 updates the configuration information set in its own device in accordance with the configuration update information received from the download request unit 14, and stores the updated configuration information in the configuration information storage unit 12 (S205). Thereafter, the configuration information update unit 15 transmits an update result notification including the update result to the maintenance device 2 via the network interface unit 10 (S206). Then, the process returns to S200.

[0042] On the other hand, if a reflection notification is received from the maintenance device 2 in response to the download request sent to the maintenance device 2 without receiving any configuration update information (YES in S207), the process immediately returns to S200.

[0043] Next, the maintenance device 2 will be described in detail.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the maintenance device 2. As shown in FIG.

[0045] As shown in the figure, the maintenance device 2 has a WAN interface unit 20, a LAN interface unit 21, an account information storage unit 22, a configuration information storage unit 23, a configuration update information storage unit 24, an upload processing unit 25, a download processing unit 26, an authentication unit 27, an edit reception unit 28, an update information registration unit 29, an operation status monitoring unit 30, and an update result / message output unit 31.

[0046] The WAN interface unit 20 is an interface for connecting to the maintenance target device 1 via the WAN 5, and the LAN interface unit 21 is an interface for connecting to the operation terminal 3 via the LAN 7.

[0047] The account information storage unit 22 stores, for each maintenance target device 1, account information for the maintenance target device 1 to receive remote maintenance services from the maintenance device 2. This account information includes authentication information (account name, password).

[0048] The configuration information storage unit 23 stores, for each maintenance target device 1, configuration information set in the maintenance target device 1.

[0049] The configuration update information storage unit 24 stores, for each maintenance target device 1, configuration update information for updating the configuration information set in the maintenance target device 1.

[0050] The upload processing unit 25 stores the configuration information included in the upload request received from the maintenance target device 1 in the configuration information storage unit 23 in association with the maintenance target device 1 that is the source of the upload request.

[0051] In accordance with a download request received from the maintenance target device 1, the download processing unit 26 transmits the configuration update information associated with the maintenance target device 1 that originated the download request and stored in the configuration update information storage unit 24 to the maintenance target device 1 that originated the download request.

[0052] The authentication unit 27 performs authentication processing for the maintenance target device 1 that is the source of the upload request, using authentication information included in the upload request received from the maintenance target device 1 and account information that is associated with the maintenance target device 1 that is the source of the upload request and stored in the account information storage unit 22. Also, the authentication unit 27 performs authentication processing for the maintenance target device 1 that is the source of the download request, using authentication information included in the download request received from the maintenance target device 1 and account information that is associated with the maintenance target device 1 that is the source of the download request and stored in the account information storage unit 22.

[0053] In response to a configuration information request from the operation terminal 3, the edit receiving unit 28 transmits the configuration information associated with the designated maintenance target device 1 and stored in the configuration information storage unit 23 to the operation terminal 3. Then, the edit receiving unit 28 receives edit content for this configuration information from the operation terminal 3, and edits this configuration information in accordance with the received edit content.

[0054] The update information registration unit 29 stores the configuration information edited by the edit receiving unit 28 as configuration update information in the configuration update information storage unit 24, linking the configuration information to the maintenance target device 1 linked to the configuration information.

[0055] The operating status monitoring unit 30 monitors the operating status of each maintenance target device 1 based on the reception status of upload requests and download requests. Specifically, if a timeout occurs due to the passage of a predetermined time after the last received upload request or download request without receiving a new upload request or download request, the operating status monitoring unit 30 determines that the maintenance target device 1 is in a non-operating state.

[0056] The update result / message output unit 31 transmits the update result notification received from the maintenance target device 1 to the operation terminal 3 together with information about this maintenance target device 1. Furthermore, when the operation status monitoring unit 30 determines that any of the maintenance target devices 1 is in an out-of-operation state, the update result / message output unit 31 transmits an out-of-operation message indicating this to the operation terminal 3.

[0057] The functional configuration of the maintenance device 2 shown in Fig. 6 is realized in hardware using an integrated logic IC such as an ASIC or FPGA, or in software using a computer such as a DSP, similar to the functional configuration of the maintenance target device 1 shown in Fig. 4. Alternatively, it is realized as a process in a general-purpose computer such as a PC equipped with a CPU, memory, an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD or HDD, and a communication device such as a NIC, by the CPU loading a predetermined program from the auxiliary storage device into the memory and executing it.

[0058] 7 and 8 are flow charts for explaining the operation of the maintenance device 2. FIG.

[0059] When the upload processing unit 25 receives an upload request from the maintenance target device 1 via the WAN interface unit 20 (YES in S300), it passes the authentication information included in this upload request to the authentication unit 27 along with information about the maintenance target device 1 that is the source of the upload request. In response, the authentication unit 27 performs authentication processing for the maintenance target device 1 that is the source of the upload request, using the authentication information included in the upload request and account information that is associated with the maintenance target device 1 that is the source of the upload request and stored in the account information storage unit 22, and returns the authentication result to the upload processing unit 25. If the authentication result is "authentication failed" (NO in S301), the upload processing unit 25 performs predetermined error processing, such as sending an error message to the maintenance target device 1 that is the source of the upload request (S302). On the other hand, if the authentication result is "authentication successful" (YES in S301), it associates the configuration information included in this upload request with the maintenance target device 1 that is the source of the upload request and stores it in the configuration information storage unit 23 (S303).

[0060] Furthermore, when the download processing unit 26 receives a download request from the maintenance target device 1 via the WAN interface unit 20 (YES in S304), it passes the authentication information included in the download request to the authentication unit 27 along with information about the maintenance target device 1 that has made the download request. In response, the authentication unit 27 performs authentication processing for the maintenance target device 1 that has made the download request, using the authentication information included in the download request and account information that is associated with the maintenance target device 1 that has made the download request and stored in the account information storage unit 22, and returns the authentication result to the download processing unit 26. If the authentication result is "authentication failed" (NO in S305), the download processing unit 26 performs a predetermined error process, such as sending an error message to the maintenance target device 1 that has made the download request (S302). On the other hand, if the authentication result is "authentication successful" (YES in S305), it further checks whether a reflection flag has not been set in the configuration update information that is associated with the maintenance target device 1 that has made the download request and stored in the configuration update information storage unit 24 (S306).

[0061] If a reflection flag is set in the configuration update information associated with the maintenance target device 1 that originated the download request and stored in the configuration update information storage unit 24 (NO in S306), the download processing unit 26 sends a reflection completion notification to the maintenance target device 1 that originated the download request via the WAN interface unit 20 (S307).

[0062] On the other hand, if the reflection flag is not set in the configuration update information associated with the maintenance target device 1 that originated the download request and stored in the configuration update information storage unit 24 (YES in S306), the download processing unit 26 transmits this configuration update information to the maintenance target device 1 that originated the download request via the WAN interface unit 20 (S308). After that, when an update result notification is received from the maintenance target device 1 that originated the download request, it passes this together with information about the maintenance target device 1 that originated the download request to the update result / message output unit 31. In response to this, the update result / message output unit 31 transmits the update result notification together with information about the maintenance target device 1 that originated the download request to the operation terminal 3 via the LAN interface unit 21 (S309).

[0063] Next, if the update result notification received from the maintenance target device 1 that originated the download request indicates "update successful" (YES in S310), the download processing unit 26 sets a reflection flag in the configuration update information that is associated with the maintenance target device 1 that originated the download request and stored in the configuration update information storage unit 24 (S311).

[0064] Furthermore, when the edit receiving unit 28 receives a configuration information request from the operation terminal 3 via the LAN interface unit 21 (YES in S312), it transmits the configuration information that is associated with the maintenance target device 1 specified in this configuration information request and that is stored in the configuration information storage unit 23 to the operation terminal 3 via the LAN interface unit 21 (S313). Then, when edit contents for the configuration information are received from the operation terminal 3 (YES in S314), it edits a copy of this configuration information in accordance with the edit contents (S315). Thereafter, when a registration instruction is received from the operation terminal 3 (YES in S316), it passes the copy of the edited configuration information to the update information registration unit 29 together with information about the maintenance target device 1 that is associated with this configuration information. In response to this, the update information registration unit 29 stores a copy of this edited configuration information in the configuration update information storage unit 24 as configuration update information, linking it to this maintenance target device 1 (S317).

[0065] Furthermore, the operation status monitoring unit 30 monitors the time that has elapsed since the last upload request or download request was received for each maintenance target device 1, and if there is a maintenance target device 1 for which this elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time and a timeout has occurred (YES in S318), it determines that this maintenance target device 1 is in a non-operational state, and outputs information about this maintenance target device 1 to the update result / message output unit 31. In response to this, the update result / message output unit 31 transmits a non-operational message to the operation terminal 3 via the LAN interface unit 21, indicating that this maintenance target device 1 is in a non-operational state (S319).

[0066] One embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0067] In this embodiment, configuration information set in the maintenance target device 1 is uploaded from the maintenance target device 1 to the maintenance device 2, and the maintenance device 2 creates configuration update information by accepting editing of this uploaded configuration information from the operation terminal 3. The maintenance target device 1 then downloads the configuration update information from the maintenance device 2 and updates the configuration information set in its own device in accordance with this configuration update information. As a result, no on-site work is required to manage the configuration information, and the maintenance person (the operator of the operation terminal 3) does not need to take the trouble to visit the maintenance target device 1, and the on-site person is not burdened with accepting the maintenance person. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the management burden of the configuration information can be reduced.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the maintenance device 2 authenticates the maintenance target device 1 using authentication information included in the upload request or download request received from the maintenance target device 1 and account information associated with and registered to the maintenance target device 1. If authentication is successful, the maintenance device 2 stores the configuration information included in the upload request, or transmits configuration update information associated with and stored in the maintenance target device 1 that originated the download request to the maintenance target device 1. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent uploads from and downloads to unauthorized devices, thereby improving security.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the maintenance target device 1 updates the configuration information set in the device itself in accordance with the configuration update information downloaded from the maintenance device 2, the maintenance target device 1 transmits an update result notification including the update result to the maintenance device 2. Then, the maintenance device 2 transmits the update result notification received from the maintenance target device 1 to the operation terminal 3. Therefore, the maintenance person can know the update result of the configuration information in the maintenance target device 1 without having to visit the maintenance target device 1, improving convenience.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the update result included in the update result notification received from the maintenance target device 1 indicates "update successful," the maintenance device 2 sets a reflection flag in the configuration update information stored in association with this maintenance target device 1. Then, when a download request is received from the maintenance target device 1, if a reflection flag is set in the configuration update information stored in association with this maintenance target device 1, the maintenance device 2 does not transmit the configuration update information to this maintenance target device 1. By doing so, it is possible to prevent repeated transmission of configuration update information that has already been reflected in the maintenance target device 1, thereby reducing the amount of communication. Furthermore, security can be improved by reducing the number of times configuration update information is transmitted.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a timeout occurs due to the lapse of a predetermined time without receiving a new upload request or a new download request from the maintenance target device 1, the maintenance device 2 transmits an out-of-operation message to the operation terminal 3 to notify the maintenance target device 1 of the out-of-operation state. Therefore, according to this embodiment, an abnormality in the maintenance target device 1 can be quickly detected and maintenance inspection, etc. can be performed quickly.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a predetermined upload event occurs, the maintenance target device 1 accesses the maintenance device 2 and uploads the configuration information set in the device itself to the maintenance device 2. Therefore, unlike when the maintenance device 2 collects configuration information from the maintenance target device 1, the maintenance target device 1 does not need to open a port on the WAN 5 side. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in security.

[0073] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0074] For example, in the above embodiment, the operation terminal 3 is connected to the maintenance device 2 via the LAN 7, but the operation terminal 3 may be connected to the maintenance device 2 via the WAN 5. Alternatively, the operation terminal 3 may be omitted by adding to the maintenance device 2 a man-machine interface that outputs the above information (configuration information, etc.) to be provided to the maintainer and accepts the above operations from the maintainer.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the maintenance target device 1 is assumed to be a main unit of a business phone system. However, the maintenance target device 1 is not limited to a main unit, and various on-premise servers can be the maintenance target device 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1: Equipment to be maintained 2: Equipment to be maintained 3: Operation terminal 4: Extension telephone 5: WAN 6, 7: LAN 10: Network interface section 11: Account information storage unit 12: Configuration information storage unit 13: Upload request section 14: Download request section 15: Configuration information update section 20: WAN interface section 21: LAN interface unit 22: Account information storage unit 23: Configuration information storage unit 24: Configuration update information storage unit 25: Upload processing unit 26: Download processing unit 27: Authentication unit 28: Editing reception unit 29: Update information registration unit 30: Operation status monitoring unit 31: Update result message output section

Claims

1. A remote maintenance system comprising at least one maintenance target device and a maintenance device that remotely maintains the maintenance target device, The maintenance target device is an upload request means for transmitting an upload request including configuration information set in the device to the maintenance device when a predetermined upload event occurs; download request means for transmitting a download request to the maintenance device when a predetermined download event occurs, and downloading configuration update information from the maintenance device; a configuration update means for updating the configuration information set in the device itself in accordance with the configuration update information downloaded by the download request means, The maintenance device includes: an upload processing means for acquiring the configuration information included in the upload request received from the maintenance target device; an edit receiving means for receiving edits of the configuration information acquired by the upload processing means; update information registration means for registering the configuration information edited by the edit receiving means as the configuration update information in association with the maintenance target device from which the configuration information was uploaded; a download processing means for transmitting the configuration update information associated with the maintenance target device and registered to the maintenance target device in accordance with the download request received from the maintenance target device. A remote maintenance system.

2. 2. The remote maintenance system according to claim 1, The maintenance device includes: an authentication information storage means for storing authentication information of each of the maintenance target devices; and an authentication means for performing authentication processing of the maintenance target device using authentication information included in the upload request or the download request received from the maintenance target device and the authentication information associated with the maintenance target device and stored in the authentication information storage means, The upload request means transmitting the upload request to the maintenance device, the upload request including the authentication information of the own device; The download request means transmitting the download request to the maintenance device, the download request including the authentication information of the device; The upload processing means When the authentication means has successfully authenticated the maintenance target device that is the sender of the upload request, the authentication means acquires the configuration information included in the upload request; The download processing means When the authentication means has successfully authenticated the maintenance target device that is the sender of the download request, the configuration update information that is associated with the maintenance target device and registered is transmitted to the maintenance target device. A remote maintenance system.

3. 2. The remote maintenance system according to claim 1, The configuration update means transmitting to the maintenance device a result of updating the configuration information set in the device in accordance with the configuration update information downloaded by the download request means; The maintenance device includes: The apparatus further includes an update result output unit for outputting an update result using the configuration update information received from the apparatus to be maintained. A remote maintenance system.

4. 4. The remote maintenance system according to claim 3, The download processing means If the update result using the configuration update information received from the maintenance target device is "update success", a reflection flag is set in the configuration update information; If the reflection flag is set in the configuration update information registered in association with the maintenance target device that is the sender of the download request, the configuration update information is not sent to the maintenance target device. A remote maintenance system.

5. 5. A remote maintenance system according to claim 1, The maintenance device includes: The apparatus further includes a message output means for outputting a message informing the non-operating state of the maintenance target apparatus when a timeout occurs due to the lapse of a predetermined time without receiving a new upload request or download request from the maintenance target apparatus. A remote maintenance system.

6. A maintenance device that remotely maintains a maintenance target device, an upload processing means for acquiring configuration information included in an upload request received from the maintenance target device; an edit receiving means for receiving edits of the configuration information acquired by the upload processing means; update information registration means for registering the configuration information edited by the edit receiving means as configuration update information in association with the maintenance target device from which the configuration information was uploaded; a download processing means for transmitting the configuration update information associated with the maintenance target device and registered to the maintenance target device in accordance with a download request received from the maintenance target device. A maintenance device characterized by:

7. A maintenance target device that is remotely maintained from a maintenance device, an upload request means for transmitting an upload request including configuration information set in the device to the maintenance device when a predetermined upload event occurs; download request means for transmitting a download request to the maintenance device when a predetermined download event occurs, and downloading configuration update information from the maintenance device; a configuration update means for updating the configuration information set in the device itself in accordance with the configuration update information downloaded by the download request means.

1. A maintenance target device.

8. A program that causes a computer to function as a maintenance device that remotely maintains a maintenance target device, an upload processing means for acquiring configuration information included in an upload request received from the maintenance target device; an edit receiving means for receiving edits of the configuration information acquired by the upload processing means; update information registration means for registering the configuration information edited by the edit receiving means as configuration update information in association with the maintenance target device from which the configuration information was uploaded; and causing the computer to function as a download processing means for transmitting the configuration update information associated with the maintenance target device and registered to the maintenance target device in accordance with a download request received from the maintenance target device; A program characterized by:

9. A program that causes a computer to function as a maintenance target device that is remotely maintained from a maintenance device, an upload request means for transmitting an upload request including configuration information set in the maintenance target device to the maintenance device when a predetermined upload event occurs; download request means for transmitting a download request to the maintenance device when a predetermined download event occurs, and downloading configuration update information from the maintenance device; and causing the computer to function as a configuration update unit that updates the configuration information set in the maintenance target device in accordance with the configuration update information downloaded by the download request unit. A program characterized by:

10. A remote maintenance method for remotely maintaining at least one maintenance target device from a maintenance device, comprising: The maintenance target device is When a predetermined upload event occurs, an upload request including configuration information set in the device is transmitted to the maintenance device; When a predetermined download event occurs, a download request is sent to the maintenance device, configuration update information is downloaded from the maintenance device, and the configuration information set in the device is updated in accordance with the downloaded configuration update information; The maintenance device includes: acquires the configuration information included in the upload request received from the maintenance target device, accepts editing of the acquired configuration information, and registers the edited configuration information as the configuration update information in association with the maintenance target device that is the upload source of the configuration information; In accordance with the download request received from the maintenance target device, the configuration update information registered in association with the maintenance target device is transmitted to the maintenance target device. A remote maintenance method comprising:

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