Unified Log Query Layer for Cross-System Analytics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing and networking systems face challenges in performing cross-system log analytics due to the use of multiple logging systems, which are difficult to integrate, costly, and require unique interfaces and querying syntaxes, making it hard to enforce organization-wide policies and manage storage and data transfer effectively.
Innovation Solution
A distributed log query system that can access and retrieve logs from multiple systems, generating queries in their specific syntaxes, caching results, and presenting them coherently, while supporting organization-wide policies and optimizing storage usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple logging systems are used for different computing or networking systems, then each system can maintain its own logging independence and specific querying syntax, but it becomes difficult to integrate them, increases costs, and requires multiple unique interfaces making cross-system log analytics challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a log aggregation system as an intermediary layer between multiple logging systems and users. This mediator receives logs from various sources, normalizes them into a common format, and provides a unified querying interface. The aggregation system translates user queries into appropriate syntax for each underlying logging system, eliminating the need for users to learn multiple querying syntaxes while preserving the independence of individual logging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The log aggregation system provides universal access to multiple logging systems through a single standardized interface. It implements multi-functionality by supporting various query types, log formats, and source systems while presenting a consistent API to users. This universal layer allows cross-system log analytics without requiring integration of the underlying logging systems themselves.
2Ease of operation
If logs are collected and stored in a centralized manner, then cross-system log analytics becomes easier, but data duplication increases storage costs and data transfer requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary log data and metadata needed for analytics rather than duplicating entire log datasets. The aggregation system retrieves specific log entries on-demand from source systems based on query parameters, extracting only the relevant information needed for cross-system analysis. This reduces storage requirements while maintaining analytics capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary normalization and indexing of log data at the aggregation layer, preparing it for efficient querying without full duplication. Logs are pre-processed to extract key fields and create indexes that enable fast cross-system searches without storing complete duplicate copies of all log data across multiple systems.
3Ease of operation
If a unified interface is implemented for querying multiple logging systems, then ease of operation improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unified interface is implemented as part of the log aggregation system, which acts as an intermediary between users and multiple logging systems. The aggregation layer handles all the complexity of translating unified interface calls into system-specific queries, managing connections, and coordinating data retrieval. This isolates system complexity within the intermediary layer while presenting simplicity to users.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving a user query identifying one or more criteria associated with logs or log-related information. The method also includes sending queries identifying the one or more criteria to multiple logging systems associated with different computing or networking systems. The method further includes obtaining responses from the logging systems, where at least some of the responses contain one or more logs or log-related information satisfying the one or more criteria. In addition, the method includes presenting the one or more logs or log-related information satisfying the one or more criteria to a user.