Trace Data Visualization for Distributed Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of software systems generates overwhelming trace information, making it difficult for human professionals to diagnose issues, especially in distributed systems where processing control transfer between entities is not intuitively represented.
Innovation Solution
The system automatically displays trace historical data in a manner that visually represents processing control transfer between processing entities, allowing for an intuitive understanding of trace entries across multiple entities, using activity graphs and correlation data to identify and display trace entries chronologically and associate them with processing entities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If trace information is recorded by distributed systems, then the amount of trace information increases, but it becomes overwhelming and time-consuming for human beings to interpret
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the overwhelming trace information by organizing it into discrete trace entries, each representing a specific processing activity. These entries are grouped and displayed in a structured format that breaks down the complex data into manageable units, making it easier for human analysts to interpret distributed system traces without being overwhelmed by the volume of information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the interpretation of trace information from a two-dimensional textual review to a three-dimensional visual representation. By displaying trace entries in a structured format that incorporates spatial arrangement and visual cues, the system adds a dimensional aspect to data interpretation, enabling analysts to grasp complex distributed system behaviors more efficiently.
2Loss of information
If trace entries are displayed for multiple processing entities, then the completeness of diagnostic information improves, but the complexity of the display increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments trace information by processing entity, creating distinct visual groupings for each entity's trace entries. This segmentation allows complete diagnostic information from multiple entities to be displayed while maintaining organizational structure, preventing the display from becoming overwhelming despite the comprehensive nature of the data.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of presenting raw trace data and then organizing it, the patent inverts the approach by pre-organizing trace entries according to processing entities before display. This inversion of the presentation sequence simplifies the display complexity while preserving information completeness, as the data is structured for optimal readability before being presented to the analyst.
3Ease of operation
If processing control transfer is visually represented, then the intuitiveness of trace data interpretation improves, but the complexity of the visualization system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates equipotential visual pathways to represent processing control transfer between entities. By using consistent visual cues and standardized representation methods for control transfers, the system maintains visual equilibrium and consistency across complex multi-entity interactions, improving intuitiveness without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces visual intermediaries that mediate the representation of control transfer between processing entities. These visual elements act as intermediaries that simplify the representation of complex control flows, making the visualization more intuitive while managing the complexity of the visualization system through standardized intermediary representations.
Data Source
AI summary
The intuitive display of trace historical data in a manner that processing control transfer between processing entities is represented in the context of trace data from multiple processing entities. For each processing entity, a set of one or more trace entries are identified for that processing entity and displayed in a manner that the trace entries for the processing entity are shown associated with the processing entity. The transfer of control between processing entities is also shown in a manner that illustrates a transfer of processing control.