Inverted Index for Raw Machine Data Query Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data search systems face challenges in efficiently processing large volumes of machine-generated data due to inflexibility in data extraction and storage, leading to delays in query processing and limited ability to retrieve all data fields, especially when new fields or insights are needed during analysis.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an event-based data intake and query system that uses inverted indexes to facilitate faster data retrieval by generating extraction rules at search time, allowing for flexible schema definition and dynamic field extraction, and employing techniques like parallel processing and summarization tables to accelerate query operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data extraction and transformation are performed during data ingestion using ETL systems, then data can be stored in a proper format for querying and analysis, but certain data fields not designated for extraction are discarded and cannot be retrieved later
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary indexing of all data fields during data ingestion, creating an inverted index that stores field-value pairs and their locations in the raw data. This preliminary action enables both fast query processing and flexible field retrieval without requiring ETL transformation during ingestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the data in an inverted index structure during ingestion, which stores references to the original data locations. This copying approach allows the system to retrieve any field from the copied index structure without needing to transform or reprocess the original data, thus maintaining both speed and flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all data fields are retained and stored without pre-specification, then any field can be retrieved later for analysis, but the system requires more computational resources and time to process queries
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential indexing information (field names, values, and data locations) from the raw data during ingestion, storing this extracted metadata in an inverted index. The full raw data is retained but not processed during queries, reducing computational overhead while maintaining the ability to retrieve any field.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical process of scanning and transforming raw data during queries with a lookup-based approach using the pre-built inverted index. This substitution eliminates the need for computational transformation operations during query execution, significantly reducing device complexity and processing time.
3Measurement precision
If data is scanned and transformed during query operations, then accurate search results can be obtained, but the process becomes prohibitively expensive as the data set grows
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary organization of data into an inverted index structure during ingestion, where data is pre-grouped by field names and values with location references. This preliminary action ensures that query operations can directly retrieve pre-organized data without scanning or transforming the full data set, maintaining both accuracy and speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for generating an inverted index in accordance with a user generated collection query. The method comprises providing a field searchable data store that comprises a plurality of event records, each event record comprising a time-stamped portion of raw machine data. The method further comprises receiving a collection query that references a field name. Further, responsive to the collection query, an inverted index is generated by: a) determining an extraction rule associated with the field name; b) extracting a field value corresponding to the field name from one or more event records in the field searchable data store using the extraction rule; and c) populating the inverted index responsive to each extracted field value, wherein each entry comprises the field name, the corresponding field value and a reference value that identifies a location in the field searchable data store where an associated event record is stored.