Method and system for providing a common hardware system console interface in data processing systems

• US 6,182,106 B1
• Filed: 08/30/1993
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Nichols, Stephen Richard, Casey, Bernice Ellen, Enichen, Margaret Croft, Pagerey, Peter David, Morrell, James Andrew, Rockwell, Sammy Lee, Dunlap, Gregory Lee, Larnerd, Deborah Anne Totten
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafiz, Tariq R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAM, TUAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US08/113,789
• Time in Patent Office: 2,710 Days
• Field of Search: 717/11, 709/100, 709/222, 709/244, 345/326, 345/352, 345/966, 345/969
• US Class Current: 718/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A method and system for providing a user interface in a data processing system to be utilized for performing a plurality of tasks on a plurality of diverse central processing complexes, wherein processes utilized to perform the plurality of tasks are transparent to a user, and wherein the user interface utilized to perform the plurality of tasks is common across diverse central processor complexes. A library containing interface parameters for each central processing complex is established. The interface parameters include information necessary to tailor the user interface for the specific target central processing complex, as well as processes for performing selected tasks within each of the central processing complexes. The user is prompted to select a task for at least one of the diverse central processing complexes. At least one interface parameter from the library of interface parameters is selected in response to the user selecting a task for at least one of the diverse central processing complexes. The selected task is then performed, utilizing the interface parameter or parameters to execute processes for performing the selected task within a selected one of the diverse central processing complexes. As a result, the user interface allows the user to transparently execute processes utilized to perform a task on a central processing complex.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining common operational control in a data processing system by providing a common operational control interface (user interface) at an operator console utilized for controlling a plurality of control functions for a plurality of diverse central processing complexes (CPCs) at a computer installation, wherein underlying processes are utilized in the CPCs to perform said plurality of control functions for a console operator (user), each selected CPC being the same as or diverse from any other CPC in the computer installation, said method comprising the steps of:

storing a library of programmed tasks for the system console tailored to different CPCs under control of the common operational control interface at the system console, the common operational interface including;

selecting by the console operator at least one of said plurality of CPCs for performing one or more common operational control functions,

displaying at the system console a plurality of function indications, a function indication being associated with a common operational control function selectable by a console operator who is viewing displayed function indications at the system console,

prompting the console operator by a console control program to select one of said displayed function indications provided by the displaying step, a selected function indication having an associated common operational control function, and

communicating by the control console to each selected CPC a request to perform the associated common operational control function by initiating execution by the selected CPC of an associated operational task, whereby a single operational control interface at a single console provides operational control over all CPCs at a computer installation by selecting, communicating and executing diversely programmed tasks for diverse CPCs at the computer installation.

2. The method in a data processing system for providing a user interface to be utilized for performing a plurality of common operational control functions on a plurality of diverse central processing complexes according to claim 1, the displaying step further comprising:

displaying at the system console a master list of function indications for controlling said plurality of common operational control functions; and

displaying a plurality of selection panels within said user interface for displaying function indications selected from said master list of steps, the displayed selection panels being tailored for each selected CPC, wherein said each of said plurality of selection panels and master list are substantially common for each selected CPC of said plurality of diverse central processing complexes.

3. The method in a data processing system for providing a user interface to be utilized for performing a plurality of common operational control functions on a plurality of diverse central processing complexes according to claim 2, wherein said step of displaying to said user includes displaying each of said plurality of function indications as a category on an action bar of a monitor panel display of the system console.

4. The method in a data processing system for providing a user interface to be utilized for performing a plurality of common operational control functions on a plurality of diverse central processing complexes according to claim 3, further comprising

displaying a status field in the monitor panel display for each selected CPC.

5. The method in a data processing system for providing a user interface to be utilized for performing a plurality of common operational control functions on a plurality of diverse central processing complexes according to claim 4, further comprising

updating said status field associated with said at least one of said plurality of diverse central processing complexes in response to said step of performing said selected one of said plurality of common operational control functions within said at least one of said plurality of diverse central processing complexes.

6. The method in a data processing system for providing a user interface to be utilized for performing a plurality of common operational control functions on a plurality of diverse central processing complexes according to claim 4, wherein said step of displaying said plurality of function indications at the system console to said user includes displaying at least one sub-function indication associated with one of said plurality of function indications on a pull-down menu in response to a prior selection of a function indication.