US6418445B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for distributed data collection and storage
Assignee: NTT Data Services Corp
•
Filing: 1998-04-30
•
Granted: 2002-07-09
•
Expires: 2018-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for automatically and adaptively capturing, recording, and retrieving large amounts of complex Information Technology (IT) system component state data in a distributed, hierarchical manner. Monitored components include virtually any element in an IT system, including hardware, e.g., routers, hard drives, etc., and software, e.g., databases, operating system, kernels, etc. In a preferred embodiment, collection and storage elements, or objects, are logically arranged in a hierarchical manner such that data collected may be propagated up in the hierarchy. Similarly, querying of such data is performed in a hierarchial manner, e.g., queries are propagated down and results propagated up. Propagation of collected data through the storage system is performed in a manner to optimize system performance. Uniformity in the collection and storage scheme allows easy expansion of the collection and storage system, and thus the underlying IT system infrastructure.
Inventors
- 👤 Otto Moerbeek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:59
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L43/00; G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/30; G06F11/3003; G06F11/3006; G06F11/3055; G06F11/3065; G06F11/3072; G06F11/3089; G06F11/34; G06F11/3466; G06F11/3495; H04L43/02; H04L43/022; H04L43/08; H04L43/0852; H04L43/0876; H04L43/0888; H04L43/10; H04L43/106; H04L43/20; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99946
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A computer system for distributing system data across a multiplicity of interconnected system resources, said computer system comprising: a multiplicity of interconnected collection objects corresponding to said multiplicity of interconnected system resources, each said collection object comprising: retrieval means for retrieving system data from a multiplicity of discrete target system resources; storage means for storing system data retrieved by said retrieval means; and propagation means, within a respective one of said collection objects for propagating system data to at least one other of said collection objects, whereby said system data is distributed across said multiplicity of interconnected system resources.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A computer system for distributing system data across a multiplicity of interconnected system resources, said computer system comprising: a multiplicity of interconnected collection objects corresponding to said multiplicity of interconnected system resources, each said collection object comprising: retrieval means for retrieving system data from a multiplicity of discrete target system resources; storage means for storing system data retrieved by said retrieval means; and propagation means, within a respective one of said collection objects for propagating system data to at least one other of said collection objects, whereby said system data is distributed across said multiplicity of interconnected system resources.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein said retrieval means within the respective collection objects comprises a plurality of collector objects, each said collector object retrieving respective system data from respective target system resources.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein said storage means within the respective collection objects are respective saver objects, each said saver object storing respective system data retrieved by respective retrieval means from respective target system resources.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer system according to claim 3 , wherein said propagation means, within a respective saver object, propagates respective system data from a respective target system resource to said at least one other collection object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein said retrieval means retrieves the system data from a given one of said target system resources periodically.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein said retrieval means retrieves the system data from a given one of said target system resources upon the occurrence of a given system event.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein said retrieval means retrieves the system data from a given one of said target system resources in a random manner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein said storage means is a memory component within said computer system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer system according to claim 8 , wherein the system data from at least one of said target system resources is stored within said memory component in a record structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer system according to claim 8 , wherein the system data from at least one of said target system resources is stored within a relational database associated with said memory component.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein one of said multiplicity of interconnected collection objects is a central query collection object, said propagation means within said central query collection object being deactivated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein said multiplicity of interconnected collection objects adaptively distributes the system data across said collection objects using said propagation means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer system according to claim 12 , wherein said system data is adaptively distributed across said collection objects via said propagation means after a plurality of said interconnected system resources become unavailable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein said propagation means within said respective collection object propagates system data pursuant to an adaptive methodology for said computer system, whereby system data stays resident within said respective collection object if said adaptive methodology warrants nonpropagation and propagates system data to another collection object if said adaptive methodology warrants propagation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
73 words
The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein said multiplicity of interconnected collection objects are arranged in a hierarchical topology, a plurality of said collection objects at a first level collecting respective system data from a corresponding plurality of target system resources, the propagation means within each of said plurality of collection objects propagating the system data to a central query collection object connected to each of said plurality of collection objects.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer system according to claim 15 , wherein said hierarchical topology is a tree structure, said first level of collection objects being leaf nodes and said central query collection object being a root node.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
61 words
The computer system according to claim 15 , wherein the respective propagation means within said plurality of said first level collection objects passes the respective system data to another plurality of said collection objects at least one intermediate level, the respective propagation means within said plurality of intermediate level collection objects passing the system data to said central query collection object.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
The computer system according to claim 17 , wherein said propagation means within a given one of said first level collection objects and within another one of said at least one intermediate level collection objects each comprise a filter means for modifying the respective system data retrieved by the respective retrieval means, the modified system data being propagated by the respective propagation means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer system according to claim 18 , wherein said filter means is an operator selected from the group consisting of an average, minimum, maximum, median, modal and other numerical derivatives.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
59 words
The computer system according to claim 15 , wherein said propagation means within a given one of said collection objects comprises a filter means for modifying the system data retrieved by said retrieval means from at least one of said target system resources, the modified system data being propagated to another of said collection objects at a higher level.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer system according to claim 20 , wherein said filter means is an operator selected from the group consisting of an average, minimum, maximum, median, modal and other numerical derivatives.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer system according to claim 1 , further comprising: query means for querying about particular system data stored within said computer system, said query means searching through said interconnected collection objects for said particular system data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
85 words
The computer system according to claim 22 , wherein said query means first queries a central query collection object to which all of the remaining collection objects are connected, said computer system returning the particular system data from said central query collection object if said particular system data is therein, said computer system otherwise initiating a search through said remaining collection objects for said particular system data, which upon being located is propagated to said central query collection object for retrieval by said query means.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for distributing system data across a multiplicity of interconnected system resources, said method comprising the steps of: retrieving, by a given collection object, system data from at least one of a plurality of target system resources, a multiplicity of said collection objects being interconnected and corresponding to said multiplicity of interconnected system resources; storing the system data retrieved by said given collection object; and propagating the system data from said given collection object to at least one other of said collection objects.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for distributing system data across a multiplicity of interconnected system resources, said method comprising the steps of: retrieving, by a given collection object, system data from at least one of a plurality of target system resources, a multiplicity of said collection objects being interconnected and corresponding to said multiplicity of interconnected system resources; storing the system data retrieved by said given collection object; and propagating the system data from said given collection object to at least one other of said collection objects.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 24 , wherein, in said step of retrieving, the system data is retrieved from said at least one target system resource by a collector object within said given collection object.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 25 , wherein each said collection object comprises a plurality of collector objects, each said collector object retrieving respective system data from respective target system resources.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 24 , wherein, in said step of storing, the system data from said at least one target system resource is stored by a saver object within said given collection object.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 27 , wherein each said collection object comprises at least one of said saver objects, each said collector object storing respective system data from respective target system resources.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 27 , wherein in said step of propagating, said saver object within said given collection object propagates the system data from said at least one target system resource through said given collection object to at least one other collection object.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 29 , wherein each said saver object propagates respective system data from respective target system resources to respective at least one other collection objects.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 24 , wherein said step of retrieving is performed periodically.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 24 , wherein said step of retrieving is performed upon the occurrence of a given system event.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 24 , wherein said step of retrieving is performed randomly.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 24 , wherein in said step of storing, the system data retrieved by the given collection object is stored in a memory component within said computer system.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 34 , wherein the system data is stored within said memory component in a record structure.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 34 , wherein the system data is stored within a relational database associated with said memory component.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 24 , wherein one of said multiplicity of interconnected collection objects is a central query collection object, said step of propagating by said central query collection object being deactivated.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 24 , wherein said steps of retrieving, storing and propagating are adaptive, adaptively distributing the system data across said collection objects.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 38 , wherein the adaptive steps of retrieving, storing and propagating distribute the system data across said collection objects after a plurality of said interconnected system resources become unavailable.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 24 , wherein said step of propagating propagates system data pursuant to an adaptive methodology for said computer system, whereby system data stays resident within said given collection object if said adaptive methodology warrants nonpropagation and propagates to another collection object if said adaptive methodology warrants propagation.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method according to claim 24 , wherein said multiplicity of interconnected collection objects are arranged in a hierarchical topology, said given collection object in said step of retrieving being one of a plurality of first level collection objects, said first level collection objects retrieving respective system data from a corresponding plurality of target system resources.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 41 , wherein said plurality of said first level collection objects propagate the respective system data to a central query collection object.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 42 , wherein said hierarchical topology is a tree structure, said first level collection objects are leaf nodes and said central query collection object being a root node.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method according to claim 42 , wherein said plurality of said first level collection objects passes the respective system data to another plurality of said collection objects at least one intermediate level, said step of propagating further comprising propagating the respective system data from said at least one intermediate level collection objects to said central query collection object.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 44 , wherein said step of propagating further comprises a second filtering of the filtered system data retrieved by said at least one other collector object from said given collector object.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 24 , wherein said step of propagating further comprises filtering the system data retrieved by said given collection object from said at least one target system resource, the filtered system data being propagated to said at least one other collector object.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 46 , wherein said step of filtering modifies said system data, said filtration operation being selected from the group consisting of an average, minimum, maximum, median, modal and other numerical derivatives.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 24 , further comprising the step of: responding to a query about particular system data stored within said computer system, said query response searching through said interconnected collection objects for said particular system data.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method according to claim 48 , wherein said query queries a central query collection object to which all of the remaining collection objects are connected, said computer system returning the particular system data from said central query collection object if said particular system data is therein, said computer system otherwise initiating a search through said remaining collection objects for said particular system data, which upon being located is propagated to said central query collection object for retrieval.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for monitoring components operating on a network, said system comprising: a plurality of collection objects being associated with at least one component, said collection object operating to gather data indicative of operational information of the associated at least one component; at least one saver object in communication with at least one of said collection objects, the at least one saver object receiving and storing the data from the at least one of said collection objects; and an internal collection object in communication with said at least one saver object, said internal collection object operating to gather the data stored by said at least one saver object.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for monitoring components operating on a network, said system comprising: a plurality of collection objects being associated with at least one component, said collection object operating to gather data indicative of operational information of the associated at least one component; at least one saver object in communication with at least one of said collection objects, the at least one saver object receiving and storing the data from the at least one of said collection objects; and an internal collection object in communication with said at least one saver object, said internal collection object operating to gather the data stored by said at least one saver object.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 50 , further comprising at least one second saver object in communication with said internal collection object, the gathered data being stored by the at least one second saver object.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for monitoring components operating on a network, said method comprising: collecting a plurality of data elements indicative of operational information from a plurality of components operating on a first level on the network; storing the plurality of data elements collected from the plurality of components operating on the first level on the network; gathering the stored plurality of data elements; and storing the plurality of data elements on a second level on the network.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for monitoring components operating on a network, said method comprising: collecting a plurality of data elements indicative of operational information from a plurality of components operating on a first level on the network; storing the plurality of data elements collected from the plurality of components operating on the first level on the network; gathering the stored plurality of data elements; and storing the plurality of data elements on a second level on the network.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 52 , wherein the levels are organized hierarchically.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 52 , further comprising querying the components for particular data elements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5421012A
Cited
US5237654A
Cited
US5761674A
Cited
US5432932A
Cited
US5638514A
Cited
US5535335A
Cited
US5724426A
Cited
EP0668564A1
Cited
US5655081A
Cited
US5778367A
Cited
US5937163A
Cited
US5802518A
Cited
EP0822498A1
Cited
US5918223A
Cited
US5987480A
Cited
US6091893A
Cited
US5918009A
Cited
US6038567A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-07-08 | 2006-01-07 | 2006-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-08 | 2010-01-07 | 2010-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-08 | 2014-01-07 | 2014-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |