Alert Management System Using Generic Conceptual Data Model

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current event expert systems are inadequate in managing unexpected or unknown events and recurrent alerts in data centers, as they rely on outdated data models that do not match the concepts used by IT operators, leading to uncertainty and potential system performance issues.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize a generic conceptual data model to automatically handle alerts by enriching information, identifying impacted components, and generating resolution actions, allowing for autonomous and adaptive alert management across data centers without requiring system reconfiguration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a generic conceptual data model is implemented to improve alert management, then adaptability to different data center environments is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different data center environmentsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a generic conceptual data model that serves multiple functions across different data center environments. This model provides a unified framework for representing alert information, contextual data, and resolution actions that can be applied universally across various monitoring systems and data center configurations, thereby achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The generic conceptual data model acts as an intermediary layer between the event expert system and the operator console. It transforms and enriches alert information into a standardized format that bridges the gap between system-level technical data and operator-level conceptual understanding, facilitating easier integration across different environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If alert information is enriched with contextual data, then measurement precision of alert identification is improved, but loss of time for processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of alert identificationVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary enrichment of alert information by pre-defining the structure of the generic conceptual data model and pre-establishing relationships between alert attributes, contextual data, and resolution actions. This preparation work is done in advance so that when alerts are generated, the enrichment process can proceed efficiently using pre-configured templates and rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The alert enrichment process is automated through the event expert system itself, which automatically extracts contextual information from available data sources and populates the generic conceptual data model without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously completing the enrichment task that would otherwise require operator time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If automatic decision-making is implemented to reduce operator workload, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of decision-making may worsen due to lack of human judgment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of alert managementVSAvoidreliability of decision-making
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the event expert system continuously monitors alert patterns, resolution outcomes, and system performance. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from past decisions and operator actions, refining its automatic decision-making capabilities over time while maintaining reliability through continuous validation against actual results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The generic conceptual data model serves as an intermediary that structures alert information in a way that enhances both automatic processing and human judgment. By standardizing the representation of alert data, the model enables reliable automated analysis while preserving the ability for operators to review and override decisions when necessary, combining machine efficiency with human expertise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8200606B2Alert management system and method
Publication Date: 2012.06.12 KYNDRYL INC
  • US8200606B2 patent drawing
  • US8200606B2 patent drawing
  • US8200606B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and related method for automating alert decision-making in a computer network are disclosed. The system and method act to receive an alert request from an event management system, and then carries out operations using several sets of inference rules, associating the alert request to a generic conceptual data model of alert request and alert resolution. The generic model is specialized to represent the specific environment being monitored. The alert request is enriched with contextual and network information in order to generate one or several alert resolution actions.