SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC UTILITY

• US 20080270837A1
• Filed: 04/24/2007
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Kiefer, Scott K., Burke, Eric T., Haws, Michael E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,921,335 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/38
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2294 by remote test

Abstract

A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for performing diagnostic testing for an application executing on a computer. A diagnostic utility executes on the computer. The diagnostic utility includes a graphical user interface and a plurality of diagnostic functions. A selection of the application executing on the computer is received for diagnostic testing through the graphical user interface. Responsive to receiving the selection of the application, a set of diagnostic functions from the plurality of diagnostic functions is identified to test at least one of connectivity, operation of the application, and a presence of a set of needed files for the application to form a set of identified diagnostic functions. The set of identified diagnostic functions are identified using configuration information for the application. The set of identified diagnostic function are executed, wherein a result is generated. A result from executing the set of functions is presented using the graphical user interface.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for performing diagnostic testing for an application executing on a computer, the computer implemented method comprising:

executing a diagnostic utility on the computer, wherein the diagnostic utility includes a graphical user interface and a plurality of diagnostic functions;

receiving a selection of the application executing on the computer for diagnostic testing through the graphical user interface;

responsive to receiving the selection of the application, identifying a set of diagnostic functions from the plurality of diagnostic functions to test at least one of connectivity, operation of the application, and a presence of a set of needed files by the application to form a set of identified diagnostic functions, wherein the set of identified diagnostic functions are identified using configuration information for the application;

executing the set of identified diagnostic functions, wherein a result is generated; and

presenting a result from executing the set of diagnostic functions using the graphical user interface.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

saving the result from executing the set of diagnostic functions in a log file.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving the diagnostic utility at the computer from a third party in response to a request for assistance with the application.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the connectivity includes at least one of an ability to access a set of ports controlled by a firewall, an ability to connect to an Internet protocol address, an ability to access a set of communications ports, and an ability to access a universal resource locator.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the set of needed files includes a dynamic link library.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the set of diagnostic functions includes testing an ability of the application to connect to a server through selected ports.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the set of diagnostic functions includes testing an ability of the application to access a device connected to a communications port.

8. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the configuration information identifies resources that the applications needs to access.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 8, wherein the resources include at least one of a set of ports in a firewall, a server that provides data to the application, and a set communications ports.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the result comprises results from each diagnostic function executed in the set of identified diagnostic functions.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 2 wherein the log file is written to at least one of a file, database, and a diagnostic storage system, wherein the diagnostic storage system is connected to the computer by a wireless communications link.

12. A computer implemented method for performing diagnostic testing, the computer implemented method comprising:

responsive to receiving a selection of an application, identifying a plurality of diagnostic functions to perform using configuration information associated with the application to form identified diagnostic functions; and

executing the identified diagnostic functions to test an ability of the application to properly function within an operating environment for the application.

13. The computer implemented method of claim 12, wherein the operating environment comprises a data processing system on which the application is executing and a network to which the data processing system is connected.

14. The computer implemented method of claim 12 further comprising:

presenting results from executing the identified diagnostic functions.

15. The computer implemented method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of diagnostic functions are used to test at least one of an ability of the application to connect to a server to access data, an ability of the application to access a device connected to a communications port on a computer on which the application is executing, whether a set of files needed by the application are present for use by the application.

16. The computer implemented method of claim 12, wherein identifying and executing steps are performed by a diagnostic utility.

17. A computer program product comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer usable program code for performing diagnostic testing for an application executing on a computer, the computer program product comprising;

computer usable program code for executing a diagnostic utility on the computer, wherein the diagnostic utility includes a graphical user interface and a plurality of diagnostic functions;

computer usable program code for receiving a selection of the application executing on the computer for diagnostic testing through the graphical user interface;

computer usable program code, responsive to receiving the selection of the application, for identifying a set of diagnostic functions from the plurality of diagnostic functions to test at least one of connectivity, operation of the application, and a presence of a set of needed files by the application to form a set of identified diagnostic functions, wherein the set of identified diagnostic functions are identified using configuration information for the application;

computer usable program code for executing the set of identified diagnostic functions, wherein a result is generated; and

computer usable program code for presenting a result from executing the set of diagnostic functions using the graphical user interface.

18. The computer program product of claim 17 further comprising:

computer usable program code for saving the result from executing the set of diagnostic functions in a log file.

19. The computer program product of claim 17 further comprising:

computer usable program code for sending the diagnostic utility to the computer in response to a request for assistance with the application.

20. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the connectivity includes at least one of an ability to access a set of ports controlled by a firewall, an ability to connect to an Internet protocol address, an ability to access a set of communications ports, and an ability to access a universal resource locator.