MQ Message Tracking Token Propagation Without Application Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for tracking application transactions in IBM's MQ protocol do not support transparent token insertion, requiring application changes and causing issues for business applications that do not expect correlation data in MQ messages, which many businesses are unwilling or unable to implement.
Innovation Solution
A method that creates a temporary message identity and data structure to save tracking information without modifying the original message, allowing transaction tracking tokens to be propagated without altering the monitored application, by using a NO_PROPERTIES option or setting the MQ message queue to NONE, ensuring that message properties do not impact the receiving application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If transaction tracking tokens are inserted into MQ messages using message properties, then transaction tracking capability is improved, but application integrity and compatibility are worsened because the application does not expect correlation data in MQ messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the transaction tracking data from the original message by creating a copy of the message with tracking information added to its properties. The original message remains unchanged and is delivered to the application, while the copied message with tracking properties is sent to the APM system for monitoring purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary message copy as a mediator between the original message and the APM system. This intermediary carries the tracking information and allows the APM system to monitor transactions without the original application needing to be modified or expecting tracking data in the message stream.
2Loss of information
If MQ message properties are used to pass correlation data, then token propagation is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to manage message properties and API calls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the original MQ message and places tracking information in the copy's properties rather than modifying the original. This copying approach allows tracking data to be propagated through the message stream without requiring the application to handle or understand message properties, simplifying the application's message handling logic.
3Loss of information
If application changes are made to enable message property insertion, then tracking information can be passed through MQ, but ease of manufacture is worsened because businesses are unable or unwilling to make application changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary message copy that carries tracking information, allowing the APM system to insert and propagate tracking data without requiring any modifications to the original application. The intermediary absorbs the complexity of message property handling, leaving the original application unchanged and easier to deploy.
4Loss of information
If message properties are separated from application payload via MQ API calls, then tracking data can be extracted, but ease of operation is worsened because it requires changes to the base application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a message copy with tracking properties that can be independently processed by the APM system. This copy mechanism allows tracking data to be extracted and analyzed without requiring the base application to implement any special API calls or message handling logic for property separation, maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach to tracking application transactions without modifications to the application. Receiving a message from a first application. Creating a temporary message identity and a temporary data structure. Configuring the temporary message to save tracking information. Calling the first application to retrieve the tracking information. Saving the tracking information and sending the message to a second application.