Relative Timestamps for Distributed Log Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed computing systems, correlating activities across nodes without synchronized clocks is complex due to the lack of clock synchronization, making tracing, tracking, and debugging challenging.
Innovation Solution
The use of relative timestamps, calculated using equations such as tsL(Pr2,x) = tsRQ(Pr1) + Network latency + (tsRS(Pr2,x) - tsRS(Pr2)), allows for logging and correlating activities across nodes without requiring clock synchronization, enabling the creation of a unified log that can trace and debug applications and services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If clock synchronization is implemented across all computers in the distributed computing system, then tracing and tracking of requests becomes accurate, but the system complexity increases and clock synchronization may not be possible when applications or services do not allow it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (relative timestamp calculation) that mediates between distributed clocks without requiring them to be synchronized. Each node calculates relative timestamps based on message exchange timing, acting as a mediator that translates local clock differences into comparable relative time values without direct clock synchronization between nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter from absolute timestamp (requiring synchronized clocks) to relative timestamp (calculated from message exchange). This parameter transformation allows time measurement without clock synchronization by expressing time as relative offsets from reference events rather than absolute moments requiring synchronized reference frames.
2Ease of manufacture
If absolute timestamps from local clocks are used for logging, then logging is simple at each node, but correlating events across nodes becomes complex or impossible without clock synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses message exchange timing as an intermediary to bridge local logging simplicity with cross-node correlation capability. Each node continues to log with simple local timestamps, but the system introduces message timing information as an intermediary that enables correlation by providing reference points that connect events across different nodes without requiring their clocks to be synchronized.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical clock synchronization system with a message-based timing system. Instead of relying on synchronized mechanical clocks across nodes, the system uses software-based timestamp calculation from message exchanges, substituting a complex mechanical synchronization infrastructure with a lighter-weight communication-based timing mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If clocks at different nodes are not synchronized, then the system is more flexible and easier to deploy, but tracing and debugging of distributed applications becomes extremely complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by calculating and embedding relative timestamp information in messages during the message exchange process itself. This preliminary calculation of relative time relationships allows tracing and debugging to work correctly without requiring clock synchronization, as the timing information is already prepared and attached to messages before the tracing/debugging operations need to use it.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for using a relative timestamp to log activity in a distributed computing system. In one aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method. The method may include receiving a message including a first timestamp representative of when the message is sent at a first processor. A second processor may generate an entry logging receipt of the received message. The second processor may determine a second timestamp representative of a time relative to the first timestamp. The second timestamp may be included as an entry at a log at the second processor.