Scripting service for translating browser requests into command line interface (CLI) commands

• US 20030163448A1
• Filed: 02/26/2002
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Hendley, Paul M., Perez, Andres M., Kilemba, Shadrack K.
• Application Number:
  US10/085,796
• Publication Number:
  US 20030163448A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/45512 Command shells

Abstract

A scripting service receives requests from a browser client that includes an executing web browser. The request is then translated into a command line interface (CLI) command. The CLI command may be displayed for a user to understand how browser requests are translated into corresponding CLI commands. In addition, a translated command may be stored in a script of other translated commands. The script may be stored persistently for subsequent use. The script may also be passed to a CLI client for execution. The scripting service is especially well adapted for use with web based application such as a management application that manages items in a distributed environment.

Claims

1. In an electronic device interfaced with a network, a method, comprising the steps of:

running a management application on the electronic device for managing items;

receiving a request at the management application from a web browser client; and

translating the request into one or more command line interface (CLI) commands.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

storing the CLI commands that result from the translating.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of forwarding the CLI commands that result from the translating to a CLI client.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a display and wherein the CLI commands that result from the translating are output on the display.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

receiving additional requests at the management application from the web browser client; and

translating the additional requests into CLI commands.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising storing the CLI commands resulting from the translating of the additional requests in a script.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of executing the script.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of responding to the request independently of the translating.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the management application has a plug-in application registered with the management application to provide enhanced functionality and wherein the plug-in application provides information to the management application regarding how to translate the request into the one or more CLI commands.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the management application manages items in a storage area network (SAN).

11. On a web server, a method, comprising the steps of:

receiving requests from a client using a web browser;

translating the requests into command line interface (CLI) commands;

recording the commands in a script; and

forwarding the script to the client for display on a display device.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of sending responses to the client in response to the requests.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:

providing a CLI client that submits requests to the web server from a client machine, said CLI client including a CLI for entering commands;

passing the script to the CLI; and

executing the script.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of persistently storing the script.

15. An electronic device, comprising:

a network interface for interfacing with a network;

a management application for servicing requests from clients received from the network via the network interface; and

a scripting service for receiving the requests from said clients and translating the requests into command line interface (CLI) commands.

16. The electronic device of claim 15 further comprising a storage for storing the CLI commands.

17. A medium for use in an electronic device that is interfaced with a network, said electronic device running a management application for managing items, said medium holding instructions for performing a method, comprising the steps of:

running a management application on the electronic device for managing items;

receiving a request at the management application from a web browser client; and

translating the request into one or more command line interface (CLI) commands.

18. The medium of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

storing the CLI commands that result from the translating.

19. The medium of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

of forwarding the CLI commands that result from the translating to a CLI client.

20. The medium of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

displaying the CLI commands on a display device.

21. The medium of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

receiving additional requests at the management application from the web browser client; and

translating the additional requests into CLI commands.

22. The medium of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises the steps of

receiving requests from a client using a web browser;

translating the requests into command line interface (CLI) commands;

recording the commands in a script; and

forwarding the script to the client for display on a display device.