Automated Backup Failure Categorization via Log Pattern Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems face challenges in efficiently categorizing backup failures to determine responsibility between vendors and customers, leading to time-consuming and error-prone manual processes, which can result in incorrect chargebacks and missed Service Level Agreements (SLAs), increasing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Innovation Solution
An automated system that analyzes error logs using a predefined set of keywords and string patterns to identify the party responsible for backup failures, allowing for centralized management and reducing the need for manual examination, thereby facilitating accurate chargeback and improving operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual examination of backup failures is used to determine responsibility, then detailed analysis can be performed, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically categorizes backup failures by analyzing log files and comparing them against a knowledge base of known issues, enabling the system to self-diagnose and assign responsibility without human intervention. This eliminates manual examination while maintaining accurate categorization through automated pattern recognition and rule-based classification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis with an automated computational system that uses software agents, log file parsing, and database queries to determine failure causes and assign responsibility. This substitution of human manual processes with automated electronic systems dramatically reduces time while preserving accuracy through systematic analysis.
2Productivity
If automated analysis is implemented to reduce time consumption, then processing speed increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system is divided into distinct modular components including log file parsers, knowledge base databases, analysis agents, and responsibility determination engines. Each module handles specific aspects of failure analysis independently, making the overall complex system manageable through functional segmentation and reducing the complexity burden on any single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary elements such as standardized log file formats, structured knowledge bases, and mediation layers that translate between different system components. These intermediaries simplify interactions between complex modules by providing standardized interfaces and protocols, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high processing speed.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive log analysis is performed to accurately identify responsible parties, then chargeback accuracy improves, but data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing log files into standardized formats, pre-compiling knowledge bases of known issues and their resolutions, and pre-establishing responsibility determination rules. This preliminary preparation reduces the computational burden during actual failure analysis by having data and rules ready in advance, thereby maintaining high accuracy while reducing real-time processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting the depth and scope of log analysis based on the specific failure type detected. The system dynamically modifies analysis parameters such as log file sampling rates, keyword search priorities, and determination rule complexity to match the severity and nature of each incident, optimizing computational resource usage while preserving accurate responsibility assignment.
Data Source
AI summary
Backup failures are categorized by storing a keywords file including a set of entries, where each entry includes at least one of a keyword or string pattern corresponding to a problem that may occur during a backup provided by a backup provider for a customer, and an indication of the problem as being one of chargeable or non-chargeable to the backup provider. A log file including messages logged during the backup is read. The messages in the log file are compared against the set of entries in the keywords file to identify any problems that may have occurred during the backup. Upon a particular problem being identified, a determination is made from the keywords file whether the particular problem is chargeable or non-chargeable to the backup provider. A results file is created listing the particular problem, and whether the particular problem is chargeable or non-chargeable to the backup provider.