Diagnostic probe management in data processing systems

• US 20040068677A1
• Filed: 10/03/2002
• Published: 04/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Ranganathan, Kesavaprasath, Potter, Bruce M., Briskey, Kenneth C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,254,745 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/38
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/366 using diagnostics G06F11/0703 takes precedence

Abstract

A common interface (API) is provided which permits a single diagnostic probe manager to communicate with and to control a plurality of diagnostic probes. Through this interface the diagnostic probes are enabled to pass information concerning dependencies between software levels present in a hierarchical stack. This information is particularly useful in that it permits the probe manager to direct diagnostic efforts at the lowest desirable level so as to avoid the problems that occur when problems are indicated at a high level but which are actually caused by lower level software components.

Claims

1. A method for constructing diagnosis software for use in data processing systems, said method comprising the step of:

providing software written to a common interface defined for communication between a diagnostic probe manager and a plurality of diagnostic probes.

2. The method of claim 1 in which said plurality of diagnostic probes are independent.

3. The method of claim 1 in which said plurality of diagnostic probes are capable of returning dependency information.

4. The method of claim 1 in which at least one of said plurality of diagnostic probes is directed to a specific hierarchical software level.

5. The method of claim 1 in which said diagnostic probe manager causes a lowest level of diagnostic probe to be executed first.

8. The method of claim 1 in which said plurality of diagnostic probes return dependency information.

9. The method of claim 1 in which at least one of said plurality of diagnostic probes is directed to a specific hierarchical software level.

10. The method of claim 1 in which said diagnostic probe manager causes a lowest level of diagnostic probe to be executed first.

6. A method for diagnosing software problems in data processing systems, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of diagnostic probes; and

providing a manager for said plurality of diagnostic probes.

7. The method of claim 6 in which said plurality of diagnostic probes are independent.

11. A data processing system including memory and processor elements wherein said memory includes a plurality of software components and further includes a plurality of diagnostic probes for determining problems with said software components and a manager for said plurality of diagnostic probes.

12. A machine readable medium containing thereon code for implementing a diagnostic probe manager.

13. The medium of claim 12 further including code for implementing at least one diagnostic probe.