International Business Machines Corporation

Sammy L Rockwell

Bernice E Casey

Gregory Lee Dunlap

Kurt Norman Schroeder

Scott Anthony Sylvester

Margaret Croft Enichen

Peter David Pagerey

James Andrew Morrell

Deborah Anne Totten Larnerd

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.

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

A console operates a computer which includes a multiplicity of processors. The console displays an activate icon, a grouping icon and a multiplicity of icons which represent the multiplicity of processors, respectively. The console supports the definition of a group of the processors based on user selection of two or more of the processor icons and the grouping icon. In response to the definition, the console displays a group icon which represents the selected processors. The console also supports activation of the group of processors by selecting the group icon and the activate icon. After the group of processors is activated, the console can still display the group icon. Thus, further action can be taken on the group as a whole without redefining the group. A second group of processors containing one or more of the processors of the first group and one or more other processors can also be defined as described above. The console displays both group icons. If an attempt is made to activate the first group of processors using the corresponding group icon and the activate icon, and one of the processors which is shared by both groups fails to activate, then the console modifies the display of both group icons to indicate that at least one processor in each of the groups has failed.

Computer console with group ICON control

A support computer controls operation of a data processing computer, the support computer includes: a video display monitor, an input device for making selections from video display monitor, and a processor. A first program runs on the processor for displaying a display screen on the monitor. The display screen includes an identification of the data processing computer or a component thereof, a status field, and a plurality of action selection categories including an action selection category used to operate the data processing computer. The first program is responsive to a selection of the action selection category to operate the data processing computer, for displaying a pull down of action functions within the action selection category. A second program runs on the processor and reads a selection made via the input device from the action selection category to activate the data processing computer and generates an activate signal. An activation program runs on the processor and directs activation of the data processing computer in response to receipt of the activate signal. A third program runs on the processor for updating the status of the data processing computer after the data processing computer is activated.

Method for operating and displaying status of a computer system

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Owego, NY, United States of America

Sammy L Rockwell