Cross-System Logging in Distributed Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current distributed system environments fail to fully characterize cross-system activities by not recording cross-system characteristics in local logs, such as the originating system and cause of the activity, limiting robust auditing and troubleshooting capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system for cross-system logging that electronically receives and stores data with cross-system characteristics from one system, allowing access and transmission of this data for use in a central log, enabling comprehensive logging and access to cross-system activity information across multiple computer systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If local logging is used for cross-system activities, then logging simplicity is maintained, but cross-system characteristics are not recorded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary logging system that collects cross-system activity data from multiple sources and consolidates it into a centralized log. This intermediary layer captures originating system identifiers, activity causes, and cross-system characteristics without requiring changes to individual local logging systems, thus preserving simplicity while eliminating information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The logging system is designed to handle multiple types of activities (local and cross-system) through a universal logging mechanism. It can log activities originating from the same system as well as cross-system activities, maintaining a unified approach that prevents information loss while avoiding the need for separate specialized logging systems.
2Reliability
If comprehensive cross-system logging is implemented, then auditing capability is improved, but data transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential cross-system characteristics (originating system identifier, activity cause, timing information) from complex cross-system activities and transmits this extracted data to the centralized log. This selective extraction approach improves auditing capability by capturing necessary information while reducing data transmission complexity by excluding redundant or unnecessary data elements.
3Reliability
If detailed cross-system activity data is collected, then troubleshooting capability is enhanced, but information loss in local logs is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges local logging functionality with centralized cross-system logging by having the centralized system collect and consolidate data from multiple sources. This merging ensures that detailed cross-system activity data is captured for troubleshooting while local logs maintain their own completeness for local activities, eliminating the trade-off between the two capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments consistent with the invention provide a computer-implemented method for providing a cross-system log in a distributed computer system environment having multiple computer systems. The method comprises electronically receiving data in a first system, the data including cross-system characteristics of a cross-system activity originating from a second computing system, electronically storing the data, electronically receiving a request to access the data, and electronically providing the requested data.