Automated Problem Reporting for Data Storage Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data migration systems face challenges in efficient problem resolution due to laborious manual information gathering and restricted remote access, which increases time and cost, while compromising security and confidentiality.

Innovation Solution

An automated problem reporting system that monitors data migration operations, detects issues, gathers and analyzes information automatically, and communicates relevant data to remote monitors without requiring access privileges, thereby reducing downtime and enhancing security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If remote monitors are granted access privileges to gather troubleshooting information, then problem resolution capability is improved, but network security and data confidentiality are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproblem resolution capabilityVSAvoidnetwork security risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments information access by creating two distinct pathways: automated agent collection of detailed system information (including sensitive data) and manual monitor access to aggregated diagnostic reports. This segmentation allows monitors to receive necessary troubleshooting information without direct access to the underlying system, resolving the contradiction between problem resolution capability and network security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Automated monitoring agents serve as intermediaries between the data migration system and remote monitors. These agents collect, aggregate, and transmit diagnostic information to monitors, enabling problem resolution while maintaining security boundaries. The intermediary mechanism allows information flow necessary for troubleshooting without granting monitors direct system access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If remote monitors manually gather information to diagnose problems, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but time and cost for problem resolution increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidproblem resolution time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Automated monitoring agents continuously and proactively collect system information, perform preliminary diagnostics, and prepare diagnostic reports before problems occur or are reported. This preliminary action ensures that when monitors need to diagnose issues, comprehensive accurate data is already available, eliminating the time-consuming manual information gathering phase while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automated feedback loops where monitoring agents continuously gather system data, analyze it against known problem patterns, and provide structured diagnostic feedback to monitors. This automated feedback mechanism delivers accurate diagnostic information rapidly, improving both diagnostic accuracy and reducing resolution time compared to manual information gathering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If automated monitoring is implemented without remote access, then network security is improved, but problem resolution effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidproblem resolution effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The automated monitoring agents perform self-service by independently collecting system information, analyzing diagnostic data, generating reports, and transmitting findings to remote monitors. This self-service capability maintains security by eliminating the need for monitor access to the system while preserving problem resolution effectiveness through automated information preparation and delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical process of manual information gathering and system access with automated electronic monitoring and reporting mechanisms. Automated agents substitute for human monitors in the information collection phase, maintaining security while enabling effective problem resolution through technology-driven information delivery rather than human-mediated system access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11416328B2Remote monitoring and error correcting within a data storage system

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 COMMVAULT SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for providing automated problem reporting in elements used in conjunction with computer networks are disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of elements that perform data operations and a reporting manager or monitor agent which monitors the elements and data operations. Upon detection of hardware or software problems, the reporting manager or monitor agent automatically communicates with elements affected by the problem to gather selected hardware, software, and configuration information, analyzes the information to determine causes of the problem, and issues a problem report containing at least a portion of the selected information. The problem report is communicated to a remote monitor that does not possess access privileges to the elements, allowing automated, remote monitoring of the elements without compromising security of the computer network or elements.