Coupling Facility Operator Command Processing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing environments face limitations in processing operator message commands, as they can only be issued and verified from a coupling facility console, restricting remote access and comprehensive testing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A computer program product and system that facilitates processing of operator message commands by obtaining commands from diverse sources, using tokens to allocate buffers, and providing responses, enabling processing and management of commands from multiple sources, including consoles and logical partitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If operator message commands are only processed from a coupling facility console, then system simplicity is maintained, but remote access capability and testing comprehensiveness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a buffer as an intermediary component between remote sources and the coupling facility. The buffer stores operator message commands and tokens, enabling remote entities to submit commands without direct console access. This intermediary mechanism adds remote access capability while managing system complexity through a structured buffer management approach with token-based tracking.
2Reliability
If multiple sources can issue operator message commands, then testing capability is improved, but buffer management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a token-based feedback mechanism where each buffer is associated with a unique token that identifies its source. When commands are issued from multiple sources, the system uses these tokens to track and manage buffers systematically. This feedback approach enables comprehensive testing from multiple sources while maintaining organized buffer management through token verification and matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the buffer management system by associating each buffer with a unique token that identifies its source entity. This segmentation allows the system to handle commands from multiple sources independently, tracking each buffer's origin and status separately. The token-based segmentation reduces management complexity by providing clear identification and ownership for each buffer in the multi-source environment.
3Manufacturing precision
If buffers are allocated for each operator message command, then command processing accuracy is improved, but memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a buffer recovery mechanism where buffers are not permanently allocated but are instead returned to an idle state after processing. When a command is completed, its associated buffer is marked as idle and can be reused for subsequent commands. This discard-and-recover approach maintains high command processing accuracy through dedicated buffer allocation while reducing overall memory usage by recycling buffers instead of continuously allocating new ones.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A facility is provided to enable operator message commands from multiple, distinct sources to be provided to a coupling facility of a computing environment for processing. These commands are used, for instance, to perform actions on the coupling facility, and may be received from consoles coupled to the coupling facility, as well as logical partitions or other systems coupled thereto. Responsive to performing the commands, responses are returned to the initiators of the commands.