Tasks and panels

The SAN File System console displays different panel types and task levels.

Each new task opened from the My Work frame creates an instance in the task bar. When a new task is opened it becomes the in-focus task, and is populated to the right of any task bar instances. Only one instance of a task can be listed in the task bar. If you select a task from the My Work frame that is already opened and represented in the task bar, the previous instance of that task in the task bar becomes selected and becomes the in-focus task.

Task levels are divided into main tasks and subtasks. Main tasks are primary tasks that display on the task bar and are incapable of multiple instances; a main task cannot be opened twice simultaneously. Main tasks close when the task is completed. Subtasks are secondary to main tasks. They do not display on the task bar and are also incapable of multiple instances. The following tables summarize SAN File System task types and behaviors.
Table 1. SAN File System task levels
Main task Subtask
Primary tasks that are directly accessible from the navigation frame (called My Work). In addition, main tasks:
  • Display on the task bar.
  • Can have only one instance open at a time. For example, if the main “Storage Pool” task is already open, another instance of this main task cannot simultaneously be opened. Instead, the original instance is brought to the foreground.
  • Can be re-accessed only by closing any associated subtask.
Tasks that are secondary to a main task or another subtask. In addition, subtasks:
  • Do not display on the task bar.
  • Can have only one instance open at a time.
  • Must be closed before a new main task of which they are nested can be opened.
Table 2. SAN File System task types
Resource task Action task
Most of the main tasks in SAN File System are resource-oriented. Typically, condensed, data-rich displays in the form of tables are shown and you can perform many action-oriented subtasks from the main task (for example, add, change, remove). Action tasks perform a specific function and can range from complex actions that require multiple steps (such as wizards), to simpler actions that might involve only one step. Action tasks run to completion and then automatically close, bringing the calling task to the foreground if there was one. The following SAN File System tasks are all action-oriented:
Wizard
Multistep tasks that consist of several panels. You are automatically guided through the wizard with buttons for Next, Back, and so forth.
Single step
Tasks that only consist of a single step and panel with the appropriate fields or objects for completing the task.
Immediate
Tasks that consist of no user (only system) steps. These tasks begin immediately and might not lead to subsequent panels. Immediate tasks are not displayed on the task bar. There are two types of immediate tasks:
Status
Contain no user settings, but the status is shown until the task completes.
No status
Contain no user settings, nor status indicators.

Parent topic: Using the SAN File System console

Related concepts
User interfaces

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Using the Help Assistant
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IBM TotalStorage SAN File System v2.2