In the present network system, a printer 10 periodically transmits an
update request at different timings respectively to an apparatus
management PC 30 and to a directory service 50 which are monitoring
apparatuses for monitoring network apparatuses (such as the printer 10).
Each of the monitoring apparatuses 30, 50 determines a state of the
printer 10 based on the update request from the printer 10. Especially in
the present system, if the apparatus management PC 30 determines that the
update request from the printer 10 is not received, it notifies the
directory service 50 by transmitting a delete request. As a result, early
detection of disconnection of the printer 10 by the directory service 50
is possible without causing substantial increase in the network traffic.