Introduction › Workstation Network Control

Workstation Network Control

Workstation networks define tasks that you must perform manually (a non-CPU activity). Although such tasks can be any manual tasks, they are typically performed in support of CPU jobs. They can be performed either before or after the job is run. These manual tasks are termed input or output networks. Each task in the network is performed at what is known as a workstation. Each workstation must have its own unique station name.

Some examples of preprocessing tasks that are sometimes defined together as an input network are the following:

• A control desk logging function
• Data encoding
• Encoding verification
• Control desk task sequence for handling input data required by a CPU job

Some examples of postprocessing tasks that are sometimes defined together as an output network are the following:

• Report balancing
• Decollate/burst/trim
• Delivery
• Task sequence for handling printed output produced by a CPU job

Each workstation can have its own terminal; or, multiple workstations can share a single terminal. Networks are scheduled, either manually or automatically. CA WA CA 7 Edition interacts with personnel at the appropriate terminals to help ensure that manual workstation tasks are performed in the correct sequence and at the appropriate time. CA WA CA 7 Edition messages accomplish this notification. Inquiry commands are also available for further examining any related data. The data can assist the user in performing the necessary tasks.

All terminal sessions are performed between /LOGON and /LOGOFF commands that the terminal user must enter. During terminal sessions, any number of workstation sessions can occur. Workstation sessions provide CA WA CA 7 Edition with the beginning and ending time-of-day for each task defined in a network. (The tasks must be performed in the predefined sequence.)

Task beginning times are entered by logging in to the station (as opposed to logging on to a terminal). Use a LOGIN, IN, or IO command, or use one of these functions on a QM.6 or QM.7 panel.

Task ending times are entered by logging out of the station (as opposed to logging off a terminal). Use a LOGOUT, IO, or OUT command, or use one of these functions on a QM.6 or QM.7 panel.

As each terminal logs in to the workstation, the work for that specific workstation is available for viewing. Messages for that workstation are also routed to the terminal.