JPH11308291A - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication equipment that prevents illegal use of management software. SOLUTION: In the communication equipment provided with a control section (g) that controls a communication port (d) for data communication, a monitor port (f) to which a management terminal (e) connects, and a communication device (a) connecting to the communication port (d), and manages information or the like relating to the communication device (a) based on management software and the operation of the management terminal (e) and with an internal memory (h) storing the processing conducted by the control section (g), information required to execute the management software is stored in an external adaptor (i) and the communication equipment is provided with an external adaptor insertion slot (b) to which the external adaptor (i) is removably inserted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device for relaying data communication between communication terminals on a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional communication device for relaying data communication between communication terminals on a network will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of an internal memory of a communication device having management software, and FIG. 4B is a block diagram of a communication device having management software.

The conventional communication device a relays data between a communication terminal (not shown) connected to the communication device a and another communication device (not shown). Also, it manages information (for example, a MAC address, a communication state and its settings, a type of communication terminal, and the like) of a communication terminal connected to the communication device a. At this time, the management information is managed by management software held by the communication device a.

The communication device a has a communication port d connected to a network for transmitting and receiving data, a monitoring port f connected to a management terminal e, and a communication function of a communication device connected to the communication port d. A control unit g that controls and manages management information based on operations of the management software and the management terminal e; and an internal memory h that stores software, management software, management information, and the like related to processing performed by the control unit g. have.

In the communication device a having the above-described configuration, the monitor port f is used to operate the management software.
Is connected to the management terminal e. Then, the monitor port (not shown) of the management terminal e and the monitor port f of the communication device a are connected by a dedicated line. And the management terminal e
To start the management software of the communication device a.

When the management software of the communication device a is started, it requests input of a login name (user ID) and a password. The login name and the password are stored in the internal memory h of the communication device a.

When the login name and the password are correctly entered, the management software can be executed by the management terminal e. When the management software is executed, information (for example, various kinds of inspection information obtained by executing the inspection software) included in the communication device a is referred to from the management terminal e or stored in the communication device a. It is possible to perform processing such as changing settings of inspection software or the like.

[0008]

However, in the communication device a configured as described above, a password required at the time of starting the management software when operating the management software is registered in the internal memory h. There has been a security problem in that even a person other than the administrator can operate the management software once the password is known. Once you know your password,
If various settings of the communication device a are made without permission by a third party, and if the password is changed by a third party other than the administrator, the user is an authorized user. There is a possibility that the operation cannot be performed by a supposed administrator.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device capable of preventing unauthorized use of management software.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A communication port for performing data communication, a monitoring port to which the management terminal is connected, and a communication function connected to the communication port, and information on communication devices based on the operation of the management software and the management terminal. In a communication device including a control unit that manages the processing and an internal memory that stores processing performed by the control unit, information necessary for executing the management software is stored in an external adapter, and the external adapter is detachable. An external adapter insertion slot is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus according to the first aspect, password information is stored in an external adapter as information necessary for executing the management software. It is.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the communication device according to the first or second aspect, the management software itself is stored in an external adapter as information necessary for executing the management software. It is characterized by the following.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the communication device according to the first to third aspects, information necessary for executing the management software is stored in a plurality of external adapters, and the external adapter is attached to the external adapter. A plurality of external adapter insertion slots are provided.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
A third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 to 3, the same parts as those of the communication device described in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals.
Detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a communication device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of an internal memory of the communication device, and FIG. It is a block diagram. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a communication device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of an internal memory of the communication device, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the communication device. is there. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a communication device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of an internal memory of the communication device, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication device.

[First Embodiment] As shown in FIG.
The communication device a includes an external adapter insertion slot b, a communication port d, a monitor port f, a control unit g, and an internal memory h. The management software is stored in an EEPROM or FlashROM on the internal memory h.

The external adapter insertion slot b is for connecting an external adapter j. The external adapter j stores information on a login name required for starting the management software and a password corresponding to the login name. The external adapter j is inserted from an insertion port (not shown) provided in a part of the housing of the communication device a.

In the communication device a having the above configuration,
The procedure for operating the management software will be described.

First, the external adapter j is connected to the external adapter insertion slot b of the communication device a. Then, the information regarding the login name and the password stored in the external adapter j is stored in the external memory area on the internal memory h of the communication device a.

Next, when the manager tries to operate the management software using the management terminal e, the input of a login name and a password is required. When the administrator inputs the correct login name and password, the management software will be activated. If the external adapter j is not inserted or the correct login name and password are not entered, the management software cannot be started.

According to the present embodiment, the login name and the password necessary for setting the management software are stored in the external adapter j. Therefore, when the external adapter j is not connected, the login name and the password are correct. Is entered, the information for verifying the password does not exist in the internal memory h, so that the management software is not executed. Therefore, the setting of the management software cannot be performed without the external adapter j. Therefore, even if the password is disclosed to a third party other than the person in charge of management, no security problem occurs.

In this embodiment, the external adapter j
Is stored in the internal memory h of the communication device a. However, the information of the external adapter j is not read into the internal memory h, and it is determined whether the input password is correct. May be verified. This eliminates the need to provide the internal memory h with a capacity to read the information of the external adapter j.

[Second Embodiment] As shown in FIG.
The communication device a includes an external adapter insertion slot b, a communication port d, a monitor port f, a control unit g, and an internal memory h.

The external adapter insertion slot b is for connecting an external adapter j. Management software is stored in the external adapter j. The external adapter j is inserted from an insertion port (not shown) provided in a part of the housing of the communication device a.

In the communication device a having the above configuration, the monitor port f is used to operate the management software.
Is connected to the management terminal e. Then, the external adapter j is connected to the external adapter insertion slot b of the communication device a. Then, the management software stored in the external adapter j is stored in the external memory area on the internal memory h.

Next, when the manager attempts to operate the management software using the management terminal e, the user is required to input a login name and a password. When the administrator inputs the correct login name and password, the management software will be started. If the external adapter j is not connected, the management software cannot be started because the management software has not been read into the internal memory h.

According to this embodiment, since the management software is stored in the external adapter j, the management software is not executed when the external adapter j is not connected. Therefore, the setting of the management software cannot be performed without the external adapter j. Therefore, even if the password is disclosed to a third party other than the person in charge of management, no security problem occurs.

Note that, similarly to the first embodiment, information relating to a login name and a password required when starting the management software may be stored in the external adapter j.

[Third Embodiment] As shown in FIG.
The communication device a includes an external adapter insertion slot 1b, an external adapter insertion slot 2c, a communication port d, a monitor port f, a control unit g, and an internal memory h.

The external adapter insertion slot 1b connects the external adapter 1j. External adapter 1
j stores management software. The external adapter 1j is inserted from an insertion port (not shown) provided in a part of the housing of the communication device a. The external adapter insertion slot 2b is for connecting the external adapter 2k. The external adapter 2k stores information related to a login name and a password necessary for starting the management software. The external adapter 2k is inserted from an insertion port (not shown) provided in a part of the housing of the communication device a.

In the communication device a having the above configuration, the monitor port f is used to operate the management software.
Is connected to the management terminal e. Then, the external adapter 1j
And the external adapter 2k are connected to the external adapter insertion slot 1b and the external adapter insertion slot 2c of the communication device a, respectively. Then, the management software stored in the external adapter 1j is stored in the external memory 1 area on the internal memory h. Further, information on the login name and the password stored in the external adapter 2k is stored in the external memory 2 area on the internal memory h.

Next, when the manager attempts to operate the management software using the management terminal e, the input of a login name and a password is required. When the administrator inputs the correct login name and password, the management software will be activated. If the external adapter 1j or the external adapter 2k is not connected, the management software cannot be started because the management software and the information on the login name and the password are not read into the internal memory h.

According to the present embodiment, the external adapter 1j
If both the external adapter 2k and the external adapter 2k are not in the same state, the management software cannot be executed. Therefore, even if the password is disclosed to a third party other than the person in charge of management, there is no security problem.

[0034]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a communication port for performing data communication, a monitor port to which a management terminal is connected, and a communication device connected to the communication port are provided. Executes the management software in a communication device that includes a control unit that controls and manages information and the like regarding communication devices based on operations of the management software and the management terminal, and an internal memory that stores processing performed by the control unit. Information required for the external adapter is stored in the external adapter, and an external adapter insertion slot is provided so that the external adapter can be attached and detached. Therefore, the management software cannot be executed unless the external adapter is installed. , It is possible to prevent a third party who does not have an external adapter from operating the management software. An effect that it is possible to provide a communication apparatus capable of preventing unauthorized use of E A.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
In the communication device described above, password information is stored in the external adapter as information necessary to execute the management software, so if the external adapter is attached to the communication device and the password is not entered correctly, the management Since the software for use cannot be executed, it is possible to further increase the security against unauthorized use.

In the invention according to claim 3, claim 1 is
Alternatively, in the communication device according to claim 2, since the management software itself is stored in an external adapter as information necessary for executing the management software, the management software must be installed in the communication device. Since the software cannot be executed, there is an effect that the security against unauthorized use can be further improved.

In the invention according to claim 4, claim 1 is
According to the communication device of the present invention, information necessary for executing the management software is stored in a plurality of external adapters, and a plurality of external adapter insertion slots to which the external adapters are attached are provided. The management software cannot be executed unless all the external adapters are attached, so that the security against unauthorized use can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a communication device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of an internal memory of the communication device, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram of the communication device. It is.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a communication device according to a second embodiment, in which FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of an internal memory of the communication device, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the communication device; It is.

3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a communication device according to a third embodiment, in which FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of an internal memory of the communication device, and FIG. 3B is a block diagram of the communication device; It is.

4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a conventional communication device, wherein FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of an internal memory of the communication device, and FIG. 4B is a block diagram of the communication device.

[Description of References] a Communication device b External adapter insertion slot 1 c External adapter insertion slot 2 d Communication port e Management terminal f Monitor port g Control unit h Internal memory i External adapter 1 j External adapter 2

Claims (4)

[Claims] A communication port for performing data communication, a monitoring port to which a management terminal is connected, and a communication device connected to the communication port are controlled, and based on management software and operation of the management terminal. In a communication device including a control unit that manages information related to a communication device and an internal memory that stores processing performed by the control unit, information necessary for executing the management software is stored in an external adapter, A communication device having an external adapter insertion slot to which an adapter can be attached and detached. 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein password information is stored in an external adapter as information necessary for executing the management software. 3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the management software itself is stored in an external adapter as information necessary for executing the management software. 4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information necessary for executing the management software is stored in a plurality of external adapters, and a plurality of external adapter insertion slots to which the external adapters are attached are provided. The communication device according to claim 1.