Abstract: An SNMP program actuated on a computer successively inquires of network devices about their settings and statuses. Each of the network devices having received such an inquiry returns the status and setting of each port in response to the inquiry from the computer (SNMP program). The computer (SNMP program), every time a reply is returned from a network device, determines whether or not there is any inconsistency between the status and the setting of any port, and sets the network device containing the port to disable the port if a status-setting inconsistency has been detected.

Abstract: Each of network devices stores an SVG program for drawing GUI pictures suitable for unit management (including various settings, and acquisition of a setting and a status) of itself, and transmits it to a computer for unit management. On the part of the computer, picture drawing programs sent from the network devices are executed by use of a Web browser or the like, and the GUI pictures are displayed to a user. When the user operates on any of the GUI pictures, the computer, according to the operation, performs control for unit management on the network device having sent any of the GUI pictures which was operated upon. The network device, in accordance with the control, reads the statuses and settings of its constituent parts, and transmits the read information to the management apparatus or executes unit management such as altering a setting of the unit.

Abstract: In a connection service section (101) in which an Internet connection providing service is provided, a wireless interconnecting device 1 is provided to constitute a wireless LAN. A user wirelessly connects a mobile personal computer (4) or a mobile terminal (5) of his/her own to the wireless interconnecting device (1) so that the mobile personal computer (4) or the mobile terminal (5) can be connected to a provider (102) via a router (2), which enables the communication with the Internet network (103). A point counting server (7) of the provider (102) calculates the number of points corresponding to the communication time or the communication amount of the mobile personal computer (4) or the mobile terminal (5) to notify the number of points to the router (2) in the connection service section (101) in response to a request from the user. A party providing the service can reflect the number of points in the charge to the user for his/her purchase of goods or the like in the connection service section (101).