Versioned Diagnostic Log Encoding for Crash-Resilient Data Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing log file processing methods often result in incomplete data, require extensive manual effort, and data loss due to system shutdowns, hindering comprehensive error analysis and efficient storage.
Innovation Solution
A method involving coding and decoding log files with versioned instructions, appending log entries only on parameter changes or time intervals, and storing encoded files persistently to ensure complete data capture and efficient analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If log files are stored in volatile memory during runtime, then memory usage is optimized, but data is lost when the system shuts down or crashes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by periodically flushing the volatile log buffer to persistent storage before potential system failure. The logging system proactively writes accumulated log data from RAM to non-volatile storage at defined intervals or when buffer thresholds are reached, ensuring data is preserved before shutdown or crash occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary logging mechanism that acts as a buffer between the running system and persistent storage. This intermediary log file serves as a temporary holding area in volatile memory that gets periodically committed to stable storage, mediating between the need for fast in-memory logging and the requirement for reliable persistent data storage.
2Loss of information
If all system parameters are logged continuously, then complete data is captured, but storage requirements and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively logging only specific system parameters that are relevant to the current operational context or error conditions. Instead of uniformly logging all parameters continuously, the system adapts which parameters are captured based on local conditions, such as error states, performance thresholds, or configured importance levels, reducing overall storage requirements while maintaining data completeness for critical analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by logging only the necessary subset of system parameters rather than all parameters. The logging mechanism selectively captures relevant data based on predefined criteria, error contexts, or dynamic assessment of what information is actually needed for troubleshooting and analysis, avoiding the excessive storage burden of complete continuous logging.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive log data is stored for long observation periods, then complete error analysis is possible, but finding specific parameters becomes labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing and organizing log data during the logging phase itself. Metadata, timestamps, and structured formatting are applied to log entries as they are generated, and relevant parameters are pre-filtered or tagged based on their significance. This preliminary organization enables rapid retrieval and analysis later without requiring manual searching through raw comprehensive data.
4Quantity of substance
If only critical parameters are logged in a time window near errors, then storage is optimized, but comprehensive problem analysis becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the logging scope and parameters adaptive rather than static. The logging system dynamically adjusts which parameters are captured and for how long based on detected error conditions, system state changes, or analytical needs. When errors or anomalies are detected, the system expands logging to capture more comprehensive data; during normal operation, logging is reduced to essential parameters, optimizing storage while ensuring analysis completeness when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A coding module reads a stream of diagnostic data and generates an encoded log file, which is read by a decoding module to generate a decoded log file. The coding module assigns a version identifier of the used coding instructions used to the header of the encoded log file. The coding module appends a log entry as a payload to the encoded log file when the coding module recognizes in the diagnostic data a log event affecting a particular log parameter for the first time or describing a change in the respective log parameter. The coding module causes the encoded log file to be saved in its current state during system monitoring if the coding module has appended a log entry to the encoded log file or if a predefined period of time has elapsed without appending a further log entry.