Representing a storage subsystem logical configuration in a graphical user interface using a tree metaphor

• US 20040243945A1
• Filed: 05/30/2003
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: McCain, Brian S., Benhase, Linda V., Burton, Mary C.
• Application Number:
  US10/449,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20040243945A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/853
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus

Abstract

A computer-generated user interface for informing a user of the logical configuration of storage resources in a computer system. The storage resources may include a storage server, such as a multi-disk server used for backing up data, and logical subsystems and volumes of the storage server, as well as attached host servers. A first display region provides a logical tree with nodes associated with the storage resources, where the nodes are arranged hierarchically according to a hierarchical arrangement of the storage resources. A second display region provides information for a selected one of the storage resources, such as information regarding copy relationships with other storage resources. The nodes may be active to enable a user to obtain properties of the associated storage resource, such as resource size and type, or to launch a software wizard, such as a user interface for setting up copy relationships.

Claims

1. A computer generated user interface for informing a user of a configuration of storage resources of a computer system, comprising:

a first display region with a logical tree with nodes associated with the storage resources;

wherein the nodes of the tree are arranged hierarchically in accordance with a hierarchical arrangement of the storage resources.

2. The computer generated user interface of claim 1, further comprising:

a second display region providing information for at least a selected one of the storage resources.

3. The computer generated user interface of claim 2, wherein:

the information provided includes information regarding at least one copy relationship of the selected one of the storage resources.

4. The computer generated user interface of claim 1, wherein:

the storage resources are associated with at least one storage server.

5. The computer generated user interface of claim 4, wherein:

the storage resources are associated with at least one host.

6. The computer generated user interface of claim 1, wherein:

the storage resources are associated with a plurality of storage servers.

7. The computer generated user interface of claim 1, wherein:

the storage resources comprise at least one of a storage server, logical subsystem, and volume.

8. The computer generated user interface of claim 1, wherein:

at least one of the nodes is active to enable a user to obtain properties of the associated storage resource.

9. The computer generated user interface of claim 1, wherein:

at least one of the nodes is active to enable a user to launch a software wizard.

10. The computer generated user interface of claim 1, wherein:

the software wizard comprises a user interface for setting up copy relationships.

11. The computer generated user interface of claim 1, wherein:

a hierarchical arrangement of the storage resources includes a storage server level, a logical subsystem level below the storage server level, and volume level below the logical subsystem level.

12. A computer program product for informing a user of a configuration of storage resources of a computer system, comprising:

computer code devices configured to cause a computer to generate a first display region with a logical tree with nodes associated with the storage resources;

wherein the nodes of the tree are arranged hierarchically in accordance with a hierarchical arrangement of the storage resources.

13. The computer generated user interface of claim 12, further comprising:

a second display region providing information for at least a selected one of the storage resources.

14. The computer generated user interface of claim 13, wherein:

the information provided includes information regarding at least one copy relationship of the selected one of the storage resources.

15. The computer generated user interface of claim 12, wherein:

the storage resources comprise at least one of a storage server, logical subsystem, and volume.

16. The computer generated user interface of claim 12, wherein:

at least one of the nodes is active to enable a user to obtain properties of the associated storage resource.

17. The computer generated user interface of claim 12, wherein:

at least one of the nodes is active to enable a user to launch a software wizard.

18. The computer generated user interface of claim 12, wherein:

the software wizard comprises a user interface for setting up copy relationships.

19. The computer generated user interface of claim 12, wherein:

a hierarchical arrangement of the storage resources includes a storage server level, a logical subsystem level below the storage server level, and volume level below the logical subsystem level.