Service Integration Fault Taxonomy for Microservice Error Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing integration error taxonomies are inadequate for modern service-based systems, particularly microservice-based systems and IoT systems, failing to account for distribution and integration into runtime environments, and are insufficient for predicting and classifying integration errors in complex systems with service components.

Innovation Solution

A method using a system-specific integration error taxonomy and a test device to identify and analyze integration errors by adapting a basic taxonomy to system and application context, assigning relevant detection methods, and generating a specialized taxonomy for precise error classification and evaluation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing integration error taxonomies are used for monolithic or object-oriented systems, then they provide a framework for error classification, but they are insufficient for service-based systems because they do not account for distribution and integration into runtime environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability of taxonomy to service-based systemsVSAvoidaccuracy of error classification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a specialized integration error taxonomy tailored specifically for service-based systems, rather than using a generic taxonomy. The taxonomy includes service-specific error types such as service unavailability, communication errors, and integration errors that are localized to the service architecture context, thereby improving both adaptability and classification accuracy simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the taxonomy adaptable and extensible to accommodate evolving service architectures and emerging error types. The systematic approach allows the taxonomy to be dynamically updated and customized for different service-based system contexts, enabling it to remain relevant and accurate as systems evolve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If systematic approaches are used for testing individual service components, then component testing is well managed, but systematic approaches are lacking for integration testing of service components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting management for componentsVSAvoidintegration testing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing integration error detection into distinct, manageable categories within the taxonomy (e.g., service discovery errors, communication errors, data exchange errors). This segmentation allows complex integration testing to be broken down into systematic, testable components while maintaining overall integration testing coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by providing a pre-defined integration error taxonomy that can be applied systematically to integration testing scenarios. This preliminary framework enables testing teams to prepare comprehensive integration test cases in advance, rather than reacting to errors as they occur during testing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If experience-based and randomized testing methods are used for integrating service components, then some integration errors can be detected, but these methods are insufficient to account for all potential sources of integration errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror detection capabilityVSAvoidtesting method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by using the integration error taxonomy to systematically categorize and analyze detected errors, providing feedback that informs improved testing strategies. The taxonomy enables learning from detected errors and systematically addressing previously unidentified error sources, thereby improving error detection capability without requiring increasingly complex testing methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4708050A1Method for identifying faults in the integration of service components in a system using a system-specific fault taxonomy, control device, computer program and electronically readable data carrier

Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SIEMENS AG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method for identifying integration errors during the integration of service components in a system (12) using a system-specific integration error taxonomy (16) by means of a test device (10), wherein a basic integration error taxonomy (14) is stored in the test device (10), defining integration error classes (20), wherein respective integration error types (22) are assigned to the respective integration error classes (20), wherein the method comprises the following steps to be performed by a test device (10): performing an assignment procedure, wherein at least some of the integration error types (22) of the basic integration error taxonomy (14) are assigned respective integration error detection procedures (26); receiving system information about the system (12);Performing a specialization procedure, whereby a system-specific integration error taxonomy (16) is generated based on the basic integration error taxonomy (14) for the investigation of the system (12) depending on the system information; Performing a selection procedure, whereby at least some of the integration error types (22) of the system-specific integration error taxonomy (16) are assigned respective integration error detection procedures (26) depending on the system information.