FAULT REPLAY SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20100162050A1
• Filed: 12/19/2008
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Cathro, Ian A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,064,043 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/44
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/261 by simulating additional hardware, e.g. fault simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3013 where the computing system is an embedded system, i.e. a combination of hardware and software dedicated to perform a certain function in mobile devices, printers, automotive or aircraft systems testing or monitoring of control systems or parts thereof G05B23/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3457 Performance evaluation by simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3476 Data logging G06F11/14, G06F11/2205 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3636 by tracing the execution of the program
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/366 using diagnostics G06F11/0703 takes precedence

Abstract

A fault replay system uploads part or all of a log file from a subject system and replays the events detailed within the log file upon physical copies of devices present in the subject system. The replay of the log file events aid the determination of at which event a fault occurred and improves the accuracy of fault determination.

Claims

1. A method of fault replay comprising the steps of:

i) generating a log file comprising request data issued from a software application to a subject device or application of a subject system, and at least one of response data and event data returned to the software application;

ii) coupling each entry in the log file with a timestamp;

iii) exporting at least a portion of the log file to a test system comprising a test device or application similar to a corresponding subject device or application present in the subject system; and

iv) replaying at least a portion of the exported log file on the test system with a delay between subsequent entries in the log file proportional to the period indicated by their respective timestamps such that activity of the test device or application follows that of the subject device or application recorded in the log file.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the software application comprises an application programming interface (API).

3. The method of claim 1 comprising sensing a fault condition in a subject device or application prior to step (iii).

4. The method of claim 1 comprising delaying the replay of subsequent entries in the log file by a period equal to the period indicated by their respective timestamps.

5. The method of claim 1 comprising determining whether to export the whole or a portion of the log file to the test system automatically at the subject system.

6. The method of claim 1 comprising determining which portion of the log file to export based upon rules relating to the nature of a fault sensed

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject device comprises a self-service terminal.

8. A test system comprising at least one device or application that is a copy of at least one of a respective subject devices and/or applications present on a subject system;

wherein

the test system in arranged to receive at least a portion of a log file exported from a subject system, the log file comprising request data issued from a software application to one of subject devices or applications of the subject system, and at least one of response data and event data returned to the software application, wherein each entry in the log file is coupled to a timestamp;

the test system is arranged to replay at least a portion of the exported log file on the test system with a delay between subsequent entries in the log file proportional to the period indicated by their respective timestamps such that activity of the test device or application follows that of the subject device or application recorded on in the log file.

9. The test system of claim 8 wherein a controller is arranged to delay the replay of subsequent entries in the log file by a period equal to the period indicated by their respective timestamps.

10. The test system of claim 8 arranged to determine whether to export the whole or a portion of the log file automatically.

11. The test system of claim 10, wherein the determination of whether to export the whole or a portion of the log file is based upon the nature of a fault sensed.

12. The test system of claim 10, wherein the determination of whether to export the whole or a portion of the log file is based upon rules relating to the subject device in which a fault is sensed.

13. The test system of claim 10, wherein the subject device comprises a self-service terminal.

14. A fault reply system comprising:

the test system of claim 8; and

a subject system;

wherein

the subject system is arranged to generate a log file comprising request data issued from a software application to a subject device or application of a subject system, and at least one of response data and event data returned to the software application, wherein each entry in the log file is coupled to a timestamp;

the test system comprises at least one device or application that is a copy of at least one of the respective subject devices and/or applications;

wherein

the subject system is arranged to export at least a portion of the log file to a test system comprising a test device or application similar to a corresponding subject device or application present in the subject system; and

the test system is arranged to replay at least a portion of the exported log file on the test system with a delay between subsequent entries in the log file proportional to the period indicated by their respective timestamps such that activity of the test device or application follows that of the subject device or application recorded in the log file.

15. Software which when executed upon a processor of a test device causes the test system to receive at least a portion of a log file exported from a subject system, the log file comprising request data issued from a software application to one of subject devices or applications of the subject system, and at least one of response data and event data returned to the software application, wherein each entry in the log file is coupled to a timestamp, the software further causing the test system to replay at least a portion of the exported log file on the test system with a delay between subsequent entries in the log file proportional to the period indicated by their respective timestamps such that activity of a test device or application of the test system follows that of the subject device or application recorded on in the log file.

16. The software of claim 15 which when executed upon the processor causes the test system to delay the replay of subsequent entries in the log file by a period equal to the period indicated by their respective timestamps.

17. The software of claim 15 which when executed upon the processor causes the test system to determine whether to import the whole or a portion of the log file automatically.

18. The software of claim 15 which when executed upon the processor causes the determination of whether to import the whole or a portion of the log file to be based upon the nature of a fault sensed.

19. The software of claim 15 which when executed upon the processor causes the determination of whether to import the whole or a portion of the log file to be based upon rules relating to the subject device in which a fault is sensed.