Correlated Client Server Call Stack Fault Determination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed systems, correlating client and server call stacks is challenging due to multiple processes and calls, making it difficult to determine the cause of errors that occur at the boundary between client and server.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented to collect and correlate client and server call stacks, producing a correlated call stack that can be provided to users to aid in determining the root cause of unexpected occurrences, using custom stack data collection mechanisms and middleware-specific interfaces like CORBA to handle exceptions across protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional distributed systems are used with separate client and server call stacks, then system architecture is maintained, but error correlation between client and server becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate client and server call stacks into a single correlated call stack that presents a unified view of the execution path across the client-server boundary. This combining allows error determination to span both systems while maintaining the architectural separation, directly resolving the contradiction between maintaining system architecture and enabling error correlation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a correlation mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the client and server call stacks. This mediator correlates the separate stacks by matching method invocations and responses, enabling error determination without requiring direct integration of the underlying systems, thus maintaining architectural independence while improving reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple processes and calls are used in distributed systems, then functionality and data exchange are enabled, but correlation of call stacks becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the correlation system continuously monitors and matches method invocations from the client with corresponding method executions on the server. This feedback loop maintains accurate correlation information despite multiple processes and calls, enabling error detection while preserving distributed system versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary correlation setup by establishing tracking mechanisms before errors occur. Call stack frames are pre-correlated with unique identifiers and matching criteria, so when an error occurs, the correlation is already in place, making detection easier despite the complexity of multiple processes and calls.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program product for using correlated stack traces to determine faults in client/server software is presented. Client/server software is executed. A client call stack is maintained on the client and a server call stack is maintained on the server. When an unexpected occurrence is detected while running the client/server software then the client call stack is collected, as is the server call stack. The client call stack and the server call stack are correlated to produce a correlated call stack and the correlated call stack is provided to a user.