Using data aggregation to manage a memory for an event-based analysis engine

1. A method comprising:

receiving an original rule configured to be used by an event based analysis engine, the original rule requiring data to be collected over a period of time;

determining if the period of time is greater than a time period threshold;

determining if the original rule includes an aggregate function;

generating an aggregation rule that aggregates the data to be collected by the original rule if the original rule includes an aggregate function and if the period of time is greater than the time period threshold;

aggregating data according to the aggregation rule; and

determining if a size of data to be collected over the period of time is greater than a size threshold comprises evaluating metadata of events associated with the original rule,

wherein generating the aggregation rule comprises generating an aggregation rule that aggregates the data to be collected by the original rule if the original rule includes an aggregate function, if the period of time is greater than the time period threshold and if the size of the data to be collected over the period of time is greater than a size threshold.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein aggregating the data according to the aggregation rule comprises aggregating data previously collected.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein aggregating the data previously collected according to the aggregation rule comprises aggregating data previously collected if the aggregation rule is activated.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein aggregating the data according to the aggregation rule comprises aggregating data based on an aggregation level.

5. An apparatus, comprising:

electronic hardware circuitry configured to:

receive an original rule configured to be used by an event based analysis engine, the original rule requiring data to be collected over a period of time;

determine if the period of time is greater than a time period threshold;

determine if the original rule includes an aggregate function;

generate an aggregation rule that aggregates the data to be collected by the original rule if the original rule includes an aggregate function and if the period of time is greater than the time period threshold;

aggregate data according to the aggregation rule; and

determine if a size of data to be collected over the period of time is greater than a size threshold comprises evaluating metadata of events associated with the original rule,

wherein the circuitry configured to generate the aggregation rule comprises circuitry configured to generate an aggregation rule that aggregates the data to be collected by the original rule if the original rule includes an aggregate function, if the period of time is greater than the time period threshold and if the size of the data to be collected over the period of time is greater than a size threshold.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the circuitry comprises at least one of a processor, a memory, a programmable logic device and a logic gate.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the circuitry configured to aggregate the data according to the aggregation rule comprises circuitry configured to aggregate data previously collected.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the circuitry configured to aggregate the data previously collected according to the aggregation rule comprises circuitry configured to aggregate data previously collected if the aggregation rule is activated.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the circuitry configured to aggregate the data according to the aggregation rule comprises circuitry configured to aggregate data based on an aggregation level.

10. An article comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores computer-executable instructions, the instructions causing a machine to:

receive an original rule configured to be used by an event based analysis engine, the original rule requiring data to be collected over a period of time;

determine if the period of time is greater than a time period threshold;

determine if the original rule includes an aggregate function;

generate an aggregation rule that aggregates the data to be collected by the original rule if the original rule includes an aggregate function and if the period of time is greater than the time period threshold;

aggregate data according to the aggregation rule; and

determine if a size of data to be collected over the period of time is greater than a size threshold comprises evaluating metadata of events associated with the original rule,

wherein the instructions causing the machine to generate the aggregation rule comprises instructions causing the machine to generate an aggregation rule that aggregates the data to be collected by the original rule if the original rule includes an aggregate function, if the period of time is greater than the time period threshold and if the size of the data to be collected over the period of time is greater than a size threshold.

11. The article of claim 10 wherein the instructions causing a machine to aggregate the data according to the aggregation rule comprises instructions causing a machine to aggregate data previously collected.

12. The article of claim 11 wherein the instructions causing a machine to aggregate the data previously collected according to the aggregation rule comprises instructions causing a machine to aggregate data previously collected if the aggregation rule is activated.

13. The article of claim 10 wherein the instructions causing a machine to aggregate the data according to the aggregation rule comprises instructions causing a machine to aggregate data based on an aggregation level.