Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer data routing – Least weight routing
Reexamination Certificate
1993-08-30
2001-01-30
Hafiz, Tariq R. (Department: 2762)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer data routing
Least weight routing
C717S152000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182106
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to improved data processing systems and in particular to a method and system for providing an improved interface for controlling a data processing system. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for providing a common hardware system console interface for controlling a number of different data processing systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
A hardware system console is a display device that is directly connected to a processor controller or service processor for a central processing complex (CPC). The hardware system console provides an end-user interface, which may be utilized to perform functions related to operational control of the CPC such as, for example, initialization, configuration, diagnosis, customization, and recovery. A CPC is defined as those portions of a system, exclusive of I/O control units and devices, that can be controlled by a single operating system. A CPC typically consists of main storage, one or more central processing units, time-of-day clocks, and channels, which are or can be placed in a single configuration. A CPC also may include channel subsystems, service processors, and expanded storage, where installed.
A user may interact with the hardware system console by means of full screen panels and/or single line commands. The hardware system console user interface is generally not consistent across various hardware types, i.e., processor families. As a result, a user working with multiple processor types installed at a site may be faced with an unnecessary level of operational complexity due to the fact that the same task on different CPCs must be accomplished utilizing a different set of user interface interactions. The result of this added complexity is a steep learning curve for the user. Consequently, either more users are needed to control multiple diverse systems or additional time and expense are required to train a user to control multiple systems.
An additional cost also is present to the manufacturer of hardware system consoles since each time a new feature or function is to be supported on multiple processor types, duplicate development effort is required to add the support of that feature or function to the user interfaces of hardware system consoles.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a hardware system console user interface that may be utilized on different hardware types while providing the same type of user interface interactions between different hardware types.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an improved data processing system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved interface for controlling a data processing system.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a common hardware system console interface for controlling a number of different data processing systems.
The foregoing objects are achieved as is now described.
The above as well as additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description. The present invention permits 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 processing complexes. A library containing interface parameters for each central processing complex is established. The interface parameters include information necessary to the tailoring of the user interface for each specific diverse central processing complex, as well as processes for performing selected tasks within each of the diverse 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.
The data processing system may include a video display monitor; an input device for making selections from said video display monitor; a processor; and a means of attachment to each CPC (or the service processor of the CPC) to be monitored/controlled. A first program, running on the processor, may be employed for displaying a panel on the video display monitor, which includes identification of the diverse central processing complexes and the tasks; each of the tasks may appear as a selectable category within the panel. Another program, running on the processor, may be utilized for sensing a selection by the user of one of the tasks, via the input device, generating an activation signal. A third program, running on the processor, is then utilized for performing or directing performance of the selected tasks within one of the diverse central processing complexes in response to the activation signal. The results of the performance of this task may be displayed to the user within the panel.
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IBM TDB, vol. 31, No. 5, Oct. 1988, pp. 7-12, “Multisystem Processing Control Unit”.
Casey Bernice Ellen
Dunlap Gregory Lee
Enichen Margaret Croft
Larnerd Deborah Anne Totten
Morrell James Andrew
Goldman Bernard M.
Hafiz Tariq R.
International Business Machines - Corporation
Kinnaman, Jr. William A.
Pam Tuan Q.
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