Centralized Logging Framework with Event ID Correlation

Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-component software systems, diagnosing errors across multiple components is time-consuming and challenging due to the need for manual analysis of log files from various servers and applications, often leading to increased downtime.

Innovation Solution

A centralized logging framework that uses a unique event identifier to link related log events across multiple servers and applications, consolidating logs into a single repository and providing a unified view for administrators through a log viewer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If log files from multiple servers and applications are manually analyzed, then error diagnosis can be performed, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror diagnosis capabilityVSAvoiddiagnosis time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines log files from multiple servers and applications into a single centralized repository. The logging framework aggregates logs from different sources and correlates them using event identifiers, allowing administrators to view all related log events in one place rather than manually analyzing separate log files across multiple systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a logging framework as an intermediary system between the distributed log sources and the administrator. This framework includes a logging agent that collects logs from various applications and servers, stores them in a centralized repository, and provides correlation capabilities through event identifiers, thereby mediating the complex task of multi-source log analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If log files from multiple servers and applications are manually analyzed, then error diagnosis can be performed, but the complexity of troubleshooting increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror diagnosis capabilityVSAvoidtroubleshooting complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines log files from multiple servers and applications into a single centralized repository. The logging framework aggregates logs from different sources and correlates them using event identifiers, allowing administrators to view all related log events in one place rather than manually analyzing separate log files across multiple systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the organizational parameter of log files from distributed separate files to a centralized structured repository. By introducing event identifiers as a correlating parameter, the system transforms uncorrelated log entries into linked event sequences, reducing the complexity of tracing errors across multiple components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If a centralized logging framework is implemented, then error analysis is streamlined and troubleshooting complexity is reduced, but system infrastructure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror analysis efficiencyVSAvoidsystem infrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a logging framework as an intermediary system between the distributed log sources and the administrator. This framework includes a logging agent that collects logs from various applications and servers, stores them in a centralized repository, and provides correlation capabilities through event identifiers, thereby mediating the complex task of multi-source log analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal logging framework that can handle logs from multiple different applications and servers through a single standardized interface. The logging agent and centralized repository are designed to be application-agnostic, accepting logs from diverse sources and providing unified correlation and analysis capabilities across the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9910759B2Logging framework and methods

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 SAP SE

AI summary

A system comprising one or more processors executing a first process and a second process, a memory storing log information for the first process and the second process, and one or more logging components, executing on the one or more processors. The one or more logging components are configured to identify a first log event associated with the first process, generate an event identifier (ID) based on the first log event, transfer the event ID to the second process, identify a second log event associated with the second process and based on the first log event, and associate the event ID with the second log event in the memory.