IP Library Granted Patent US 6,965,901
Granted Patent B2
US 6,965,901 · App. 10/236,074 · Granted Nov 15, 2005

Adaptive and generalized status monitor

Assignee: Network Appliance, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,965,901
App. No.
10/236,074
Granted
Nov 15, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention provides a method and system for monitoring status in a relatively continuous consistent and intelligent manner. A status monitor receives monitoring data, and adaptively and dynamically associates those known combinations with assessments of the monitored devices, systems, or networks. From an initial set of selected knowledge (or even no knowledge at all), the status monitor develops a database of information regarding anomalous conditions, and measurements of likely causes and faults and learns which of those anomalous conditions require response. Appropriate responses can include informing a system operator, taking remedial action, and altering or terminating the monitored device, systems or network.

Claims (48)

1. A memory storing information including instructions, the instructions executable by a processor, the instructions including

receiving monitoring data, wherein said monitoring data is received from and pertains to at least one of the following: (i) a file server; or (ii) a software element in a computer system;

generating indicator bits, wherein each of said indicator bits is responsive to data in said monitoring data that falls outside a limit;

collecting said indicator bits in a bit vector comparator,

in response to said indicator bits, adaptively and dynamically building a database of known combinations of said monitoring data, wherein said database is coupled to a bit vector comparator;

in response to said monitoring data, adaptively and dynamically building a database of associations between said known combinations and selected monitoring assessments; and

taking action in response to said selected monitoring assessments.

2. A memory as in claim 1 , wherein said database includes a non-null initial set of said known combinations.

3. A memory as in claim 1 , wherein said database includes a null initial set of said known combinations.

4. A memory as in claim 1 , wherein said database includes at least one said known combination associated with a non-fault monitoring assessment.

5. A memory as in claim 1 , wherein said monitoring data includes SNMP data or email text.

6. A memory as in claim 1 , wherein said selected monitoring assessments include at least one of

diagnostic information of a fault;

message information for presentation to an operator; or

remedial action to be taken in response to said selected monitoring assessments.

7. A memory as in claim 1 , wherein said instructions of receiving monitoring data include instructions of receiving selected monitoring data having a new data format.

8. An apparatus, including a processor, and a memory, said memory storing instructions of

receiving monitoring data, wherein said monitoring data is received from and pertains to at least one of the following: (i) a file server; or (ii) a software element in a computer system;

generating indicator bits, wherein each of said indicator bits is responsive to data in said monitoring data that falls outside a limit;

collecting said indicator bits in a bit vector comparator,

in response to said indicator bits, adaptively and dynamically building a database of known combinations of said monitoring data, wherein said database is coupled to a bit vector comparator;

in response to said monitoring data, adaptively and dynamically building a database of associations between said known combinations and selected monitoring assessments; and

taking action in response to said selected monitoring assessments.

9. An apparatus as in claim 8 , wherein said database includes a non-null initial set of said known combinations.

10. An apparatus as in claim 8 , wherein said database includes a null initial set of said known combinations.

11. An apparatus as in claim 8 , wherein said database includes at least one said known combination associated with a non-fault monitoring assessment.

12. An apparatus as in claim 8 , wherein said monitoring data includes SNMP data or email text.

13. An apparatus as in claim 8 , wherein said selected monitoring assessments include at least one of

diagnostic information of a fault;

message information for presentation to an operator; or

remedial action to be taken in response to said selected monitoring assessments.

14. An apparatus as in claim 8 , wherein said steps of receiving monitoring data include steps of receiving selected monitoring data having a new data format.

15. A method including steps of:

receiving monitoring data, wherein said monitoring data is received from and pertains to at least one of the following: (i) a file server; or (ii) a software element in a computer system;

generating indicator bits, wherein each of said indicator bits is responsive to data in said monitoring data that falls outside a limit;

collecting said indicator bits in a bit vector comparator,

in response to said indicator bits, adaptively and dynamically building a database of known combinations of said monitoring data, wherein said database is coupled to a bit vector comparator;

in response to said monitoring data, adaptively and dynamically building a database of associations between said known combinations and selected monitoring assessments; and

taking action in response to said selected monitoring assessments.

16. A method as in claim 15 , wherein said database includes a non-null initial set of said known combinations.

17. A method as in claim 15 , wherein said database includes a null initial set of said known combinations.

18. A method as in claim 15 , wherein said database includes at least one said known combination associated with a non-fault monitoring assessment.

19. A method as in claim 15 , wherein said monitoring data includes SNMP data or email text.

20. A method as in claim 15 , wherein said selected monitoring assessments include at least one of

diagnostic information of a fault;

message information for presentation to an operator; or

remedial action to be taken in response to said selected monitoring assessments.

21. A method as in claim 15 , wherein said instructions of receiving monitoring data include instructions of receiving selected monitoring data having a new data format.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 25, 2015
From: NETWORK APPLIANCE, INC.
To: NETAPP, INC.
Reel/Frame 036875/0425 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 16, 2015
From: EASTHAM, PAUL
To: NETWORK APPLIANCE, INC.
Reel/Frame 036813/0893 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 0930708900 · May 7, 1999
Related Publication 20030046271A1 · Mar 6, 2003