Diagnostic probe management in data processing systems
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for constructing diagnosis software for use in data processing systems, said method comprising the step of:
- providing a diagnostic probe manager and a plurality of diagnostic probes which have a common interface defined for communication between said diagnostic probe manager and said diagnostic probes, said probes being directed to a specific hierarchical software level and being further capable of returning information to the diagnostic probe manager indicating dependency on other diagnostic probes controlled by said manager.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
24 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method for constructing diagnosis software for use in data processing systems, said method comprising the step of:
providing a diagnostic probe manager and a plurality of diagnostic probes which have a common interface defined for communication between said diagnostic probe manager and said diagnostic probes, said probes being directed to a specific hierarchical software level and being further capable of returning information to the diagnostic probe manager indicating dependency on other diagnostic probes controlled by said manager. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
8. 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 diagnostic probe manager for said plurality of diagnostic probes1 said probes and said diagnostic probe manager communicating through a common interface, said diagnostic probes being directed to a specific hierarchical software level and being further capable of returning information to said diagnostic probe manager indicating dependency on other diagnostic probes controlled by said manager. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. 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 diagnostic probe manager for said plurality of diagnostic probes, said diagnostic probes and said diagnostic probe manager having a common interface defined for communication between said diagnostic probe manager and said diagnostic probes, said probes being directed to a specific hierarchical software level and being further capable of returning information to the diagnostic probe manager indicating dependency on other diagnostic probes controlled by said manager.
-
18. A machine readable medium containing thereon code for implementing a diagnostic probe manager which provides a common interface for communicating between said diagnostic probe manager and a plurality of diagnostic probes, said diagnostic probes and said diagnostic probe manager having a common interface defined for communication between said diagnostic probe manager and said diagnostic probes, said probes being directed to a specific hierarchical software level and being further capable of returning information to the diagnostic probe manager indicating dependency on other diagnostic probes controlled by said manager.
Specification