Data Center Device Mapping via Operational Data for Alarm Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data center monitoring systems require manual and time-consuming processes to map device relationships, which are not automatically updated, leading to unreliable and outdated information, and do not efficiently consolidate alarms from multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses computing devices to analyze operational data from interrelated devices in a data center, such as power, temperature, and communication metrics, to automatically generate device mappings and consolidate alarms based on inferred relationships, using techniques like Bayesian networks and correlation coefficients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual processes are used to map device relationships, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but time consumption increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates device mappings by having devices self-report their relationships through operational data (power paths, cooling zones, communication paths). The computing device processes this data autonomously to create and update device relationship mappings without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between reliability and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes with automated computational analysis. Instead of manually mapping device relationships, the system uses computing devices to analyze operational data and automatically determine device relationships through algorithms, significantly reducing time while improving reliability.
2Productivity
If manual alarm processing is used, then system complexity is kept low, but alarm consolidation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device performs multiple functions: it monitors operational data from devices, determines device relationships, processes alarms from multiple devices, and consolidates related alarms into single notifications. This multi-functionality improves alarm consolidation efficiency while managing system complexity through a centralized approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple alarm streams from different devices by identifying devices with similar operational characteristics (same power path, cooling zone, or communication path). Related alarms are consolidated into single notifications, dramatically improving alarm processing efficiency while using structured computational methods to manage complexity.
3Reliability
If device mappings are not automatically updated, then system complexity remains low, but information reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where devices regularly report their operational status and relationships. The computing device processes this feedback data to automatically update device mappings, ensuring information remains current and reliable. This automated feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous monitoring and automatic updating of device mappings through ongoing analysis of operational data. Rather than periodic manual updates, the system continuously processes device reports and automatically refreshes device relationship information, ensuring constant reliability while using automated processes to manage the complexity of continuous updates.
Data Source
AI summary
According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a system for automatically generating a data-center network mapping for automated alarm consolidation is provided comprising a plurality of devices, and at least one computing device communicatively coupled to each of the devices, the at least one computing device being configured to receive operational data from each of the devices, the operational data being indicative of at least one of a power path, cooling or temperature zones, or communications paths, determine, based on the operational data, device relationships between each of the devices, receive, from each of the devices, a respective alarm of a plurality of alarms, determine alarm relationships between at least two of the plurality of alarms, consolidate, based on the determined device relationships and based on the determined alarm relationships, the plurality of alarms into a consolidated alert, and provide the consolidated alert to a user.