Job Viewer displays three levels of executable items in a hierarchical structure:
Root Jobs
- Definition: The top-level job that initiates an entire workflow process
- Origin: Started by manual execution, API calls, schedules, or events
- Characteristics: Has no parent job above it in the hierarchy
- Can contain: Child jobs and tasks
- Example: A network configuration workflow triggered by a schedule
Parent Jobs
- Definition: Any job that contains child jobs or tasks beneath it in the hierarchy
- Scope: Can be either a root job or a child job
- Characteristics: Controls the execution flow of its children
- Key point: All root jobs are parent jobs, but not all parent jobs are root jobs
- Example: A root job that contains child jobs, or a child job that has its own child jobs
Child Jobs
- Definition: A job that executes within another job (either a root job or another child job)
- Origin: Triggered by a parent job as part of a larger automation process
- Characteristics: Always has a parent job above it, may have child jobs and tasks below it
- Dual nature: Can be both a child (to its parent) and a parent (to its children)
- Example: A device backup sub-workflow that runs as part of a larger maintenance workflow
Tasks
- Definition: The smallest executable units that perform specific functions
- Origin: Created within jobs to handle individual operations
- Characteristics: Cannot contain other jobs or tasks
- Types: Manual, Operation, or Automatic
- Example: A single command execution or configuration change
Hierarchy Examples
Simple Hierarchy
Root Job: Network Maintenance
├── Task: Check device status
├── Task: Create backup
└── Task: Apply updates
Complex Hierarchy
Root Job: Site Deployment
├── Child Job: Infrastructure Setup
│ ├── Task: Configure switches
│ └── Task: Setup VLANs
├── Child Job: Security Configuration
│ ├── Task: Apply firewall rules
│ └── Child Job: Certificate Management
│ ├── Task: Generate certificates
│ └── Task: Install certificates
└── Task: Validation test
In the complex example, "Certificate Management" is both a child job (to "Security Configuration") and a parent job (to its own tasks).