System and method for network management

Abstract

A part of the elements discovered in a network are chosen to be monitored, and a user such as a network administrator is allowed to appropriately monitor desired elements. A network management server collects information on elements in the network, and displays collected information on a GUI screen. The user is allowed to choose an element based on the information displayed on the screen, and the element chosen by the user is then registered as an object to be monitored. Information is collected including elements which are not registered, and displayed on the screen along with a result of comparison to the registered elements.

1 . A network management method, comprising:
 collecting, by automatic discovery, first information on elements in a network;   displaying information collected as the first information on a screen;   allowing a user to choose a first element based on the information displayed on the screen;   registering the first element chosen by the user in a server as an object to be monitored, the monitoring being performed by means other than the automatic discovery;   collecting, by the automatic discovery, second information on elements in the network, the elements including both registered elements and not-registered elements;   displaying a result of comparison on the screen, the comparison being between information on the first element registered for the monitoring and the second information collected by the automatic discovery;   allowing the user to choose a second element based on the result of comparison displayed on the screen, among (i) a not-registered and newly-discovered element, (ii) a registered and discovered element, and (iii) a registered but not-discovered element, wherein information on the registered but not-discovered element was collected in the past but not collected at present by the automatic discovery; and   altering registration of elements to be subjected to the monitoring in accordance with the second element chosen by the user, wherein a chosen registered but not-discovered element being kept as registered in the server for the monitoring.   
     
     
         2 . The network management method of  claim 1 , wherein (i) the not-registered and newly-discovered element is displayed as an element which can be added to the registration for the monitoring. 
     
     
         3 . The network management method of  claim 1 , wherein (ii) the registered and discovered element is displayed as an element which can be updated in the registration for the monitoring. 
     
     
         4 . The network management method of  claim 1 , wherein (iii) the registered but not-discovered element is displayed as an element which can be deleted from the registration for the monitoring. 
     
     
         5 . The network management method of  claim 1 , further comprising monitoring a current state of elements registered in the server. 
     
     
         6 . The network management method of  claim 5 , wherein the current state is monitored by a periodic inquiry as to the elements registered in the server. 
     
     
         7 . The network management method of  claim 5 , wherein the current state is monitored by receiving an event notification indicating a change in state concerning at least one of the elements registered in the server. 
     
     
         8 . The network management method of  claim 1 , further comprising allowing the user to designate a scope of collection of the first information and/or the second information.