Method and apparatus for remotely and centrally controlling a plurality of host processors
First Claim
1. In a data processing system including a first host processor, a second host processor, a first control console coupled to the first hose processor, a second control console coupled to the second host processor, and a communications network to which each of the control consoles is coupled, wherein each of the host processors includes an operator system for controlling allocation of available data processing resources, and each of the control consoles provides an operational control user interface for the associated host processor, wherein each of the control consoles can execute one or more console application programs for interfacing with the host processor operating system, the data processing system further including a remotely located workstation coupled to the communications network, a method for providing alternative operational control of the host processors from the workstation, comprising the steps of:
- selecting the first control console from the remotely located workstation for exercising alternative operational control at the remotely located workstation of the first host processor;
replicating the first control console user interface at the remotely located workstation in a first console window, whereby operational control provided by the first control console is alternatively provided at the workstation in said first console window; and
selectively inputting a first operational control command in said first console window, whereby operational control is exercised over the first host processor from the remotely located workstation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is disclosed for controlling a plurality of host processors from either a single remote workstation or a plurality of remote workstations. The user interface and level of control at the remote workstation is identical to that which is available at the host processor operations console. Operator alerts appearing at the operations console are forwarded to the remote workstation for notifying the remote operator of alert conditions occurring at the operations console. A computer serving as the operation console for the host processor is coupled to a communications network. Upon operator initiation, a workstation, also connected to the network, sends a message to the console requesting that a console window be started. After the console window is started on the workstation, the operations console duplicates its user interface at the remote workstation and the host processor connected to the console can be controlled from the workstation. This operation can be repeated for multiple host processors.
539 Citations
29 Claims
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1. In a data processing system including a first host processor, a second host processor, a first control console coupled to the first hose processor, a second control console coupled to the second host processor, and a communications network to which each of the control consoles is coupled, wherein each of the host processors includes an operator system for controlling allocation of available data processing resources, and each of the control consoles provides an operational control user interface for the associated host processor, wherein each of the control consoles can execute one or more console application programs for interfacing with the host processor operating system, the data processing system further including a remotely located workstation coupled to the communications network, a method for providing alternative operational control of the host processors from the workstation, comprising the steps of:
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selecting the first control console from the remotely located workstation for exercising alternative operational control at the remotely located workstation of the first host processor; replicating the first control console user interface at the remotely located workstation in a first console window, whereby operational control provided by the first control console is alternatively provided at the workstation in said first console window; and selectively inputting a first operational control command in said first console window, whereby operational control is exercised over the first host processor from the remotely located workstation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. In a data processing system including a first host processor, a second host processor, a first control console coupled to the first host processor, a second control console coupled to the second host processor, and a communications network to which each of the control consoles is coupled, wherein each of the host processors includes an operating system for controlling allocation of available data processing resources, and each of the control consoles provides an operational control user interface for the associated host processor, wherein each of the control consoles can execute one or more console application programs for interfacing with the host processor operating system, the data processing system further including a first remotely located workstation and a second remotely located workstation, wherein each of the remotely located workstations is coupled to the communications network, a method for providing alternative operational control of the host processors from the remotely located workstations, comprising the steps of:
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selecting the first control console from the first remotely located workstation for exercising alternative operational control at the first remotely located workstation of the first host processor; replicating the first control console user interface at the first remotely located workstation in a first console window, whereby operational control provided by the first control console is alternatively provided at the first remotely located workstation in said first console window; selecting the first control console from the second remotely located workstation for exercising alternative operational control at the second remotely located workstation of the first host processor; replicating the first control console user interface at the second remotely located workstation in a second console window, whereby operational control provided by the first control console is alternatively provided at the second remotely located workstation in said second console window; and selectively inputting an operational control command in either said first console window, or said second console window, whereby operational control is exercised over the first host processor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A data processing system comprising:
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a first host processor and a second host processor, wherein each of said first and second host processors includes an operating system for allocating host processor resources; a first control console coupled to said first hose processor, wherein said first control console provides an operational user interface for control of said first host processor; a second control console coupled to said second host processor, wherein said second control console provides an operational user interface for control of said second host processor; a communications network to which each of said first and said second control consoles is communicatively coupled; a workstation coupled to said communications network, whereby data is transferable between said workstation and said first control console and between said workstation and said second control console; wherein said workstation includes; workstation input means for providing entry of input data to said workstation; and workstation display means for displaying output data from said workstation; wherein said first control console includes; first console application means interfaced with said first host processor for providing input commands to said first host processor and receiving status information from said first host processor; first display manager means interfaced with said first console application means and interfaced with said communications network for displaying output from said first console application means, providing said output to a first console window at said workstation, and providing input from said first console window to said first console application means; wherein said second control console includes; second console application means interfaced with said second host processor for providing input commands to said second host processor and receiving status information from said second host processor; and second display manager means interfaced with said second console application means and interfaced with said communication network for displaying output from said second console application means, providing said output to a second console window at said workstation, and providing input from said second console window to said second console application means; and wherein said workstation further includes window server means interfaced with said communications network, interfaced with said workstation input means, and interfaced with said workstation display means for displaying said output from said first display manager means in said first console window, providing input from said first console window to said first display manager means, displaying said output from said second display manager means in said second console window, and providing input from said second console window to said second display manager means. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A data processing system comprising:
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a host processor, wherein said host processor includes an operating system for allocating host processor resources; a control console coupled to said host processor, wherein said control console provides an operational user interface for control of said host processor; a communications network to which each of said control console is communicatively coupled; a first workstation coupled to said communications network, whereby data is transferable between said first workstation and said control console; a second workstation coupled to said communications network, whereby data is transferable between said second workstation and said first control console; wherein said first workstation includes; first workstation input means for providing entry of input data to said first workstation; and first workstation display means for displaying output data from said first workstation; wherein said second workstation includes; second workstation input means for providing entry of input data to said second workstation; and second workstation display means for displaying output data from said second workstation; wherein said control console includes; console application means interfaced with said host processor for providing input commands to said host processor and receiving status information from said host processor; and display manager means interfaced with said console application means and interfaced with said communication network for displaying output from said console application means, providing said output to a first console window at said first workstation, providing said output to a second console window at said second workstation, providing input from said first console window to said console application means, and providing input from said second console window to said console application means; wherein said first workstation further includes first window server means interfaced with said communications network, interfaced with said first workstation input means, and interfaced with said first workstation display means for displaying said output from said display manager means in said first console window, and providing input from said first console window to said display manager means; and wherein said second workstation further includes second window server means interfaced with said communications network, interfaced with said second workstation input means, and interfaced with said second workstation display means for displaying said output from said display manager means in said second console window, and providing input from said second console window to said display manager means. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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Specification