a management unit;

a first device connected to said management unit; and

a second device connected to said management unit;

wherein said first device comprises:

a first storage region for storing first device status information which is information indicating a status relating to said first device; and

a first control section for sending first device status information stored in said first storage region to said management unit; and

said second device comprises:

a second storage region for storing second device status information which is information indicating a status relating to said second device; and

a second control section for sending second device status information stored in said second storage region to said management unit, wherein

said first device and said second device respectively have a first ID and a second ID;

there being cases where the second ID of said first device and the second ID of the second device are the same as each other, even if the first ID of said first device and the first ID of said second device are different to each other;

said first control section is a first processor which operates by reading in a first computer program;

said second control section is a second processor which operates by reading in a second computer program;

said first processor, said second processor and said management unit are connected to a communications network which allows communications to be performed on the basis of IP addresses;

said system comprises a subsidiary management unit for managing whether or not said management unit is operating normally;

said subsidiary management unit is not connected to said communications network, but is connected to said management unit;

said management unit generates a first IP address on the basis of the second ID of said first device, generates a second IP address on the basis of the second ID of said second device, checks whether or not said first IP address and said second IP address are mutually duplicating, and outputs the result of said check;

said first device comprises a first memory having a plurality of storage regions including said first storage region, and a first status writing unit which inputs a status relating to said device, and writes the information indicating a status thus input, to said first storage region, as said first device status information;

said second device comprises a second memory having a plurality of storage regions including said second storage region, and a second status writing unit which inputs a status relating to said device, and writes the information indicating a status thus input, to said second storage region, as said second device status information;

said first computer program read in by said first processor refers to said first storage region, and if it detects that said first device status information is stored in said first storage region, then it sends said first device status information to said management unit via said communications network; and

said second computer program read in by said second processor refers to said second storage region, and if it detects that said second device status information is stored in said second storage region, then it sends said second device status information to said management unit via said communications network.