E-business operations measurements

• US 7,269,651 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2002
• Issued: 09/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kyndryl Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Vijayan, Geetha, Olsson, Stig Arne, Urgo, David Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaroenchonwanit; Bunjob
• Assistant Examiner(s): Refai; Ramsey
• Application Number:
  US10/256,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20040064546A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,811 Days
• Field of Search: 702/186, 709232-235, 709/24, 709/224, 709/220, 709/228, 709/246
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

An electronic business operations measurement system and method are provided. The system and method provide a measurement process in which a script is provided for execution by a first probe and a second probe in order to measure the performance of an application. The measurements of the first and second probes may then be mapped to threshold values. The first probe may execute the script on a first data processing device on which the application executes. The second probe may execute the script on a second data processing device remotely located from the first data processing device on which the application executes. The measurements of the performance performed by the second probe may be adjusted, through conversion of the measurement data using a conversion algorithm, to represent a type of network connection for communicating with the application that is common to end users of the application.

Claims

1. A method, in a distributed data processing system having at least one network, for evaluating an operation of an application executing on a data processing device, comprising:

measuring at least one performance parameter of the application using a first probe that executes a script on a first data processing device on which the application executes, wherein the script measures the at least one performance parameter of the application;

measuring the at least one performance parameter of the application using a second probe that executes the script on a second data processing device remotely located from the first data processing device on which the application executes, wherein execution of the script on the second data processing device causes transactions to be performed across the at least one network;

adjusting the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the second probe to represent a type of network connection for communicating with the application that is common to end users of the application by converting measurement data using at least one conversion algorithm;

setting threshold values for the at least one performance parameter;

mapping the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the first probe and the second probe to the threshold values; and

outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application based on the mapping of the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the first probe and the second probe to the threshold values.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first probe and second probe measure the at least one performance parameter using measurement parameters that comprise at least one of:

sampling interval;

timeout period; and

prerequisites for rating said application “

available.”

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

the sampling interval ranges from about 5 minutes to about 60 minutes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one performance parameter comprises at least one of a response time for at least one request sent to the application or a measurement of availability of the application.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

measuring the at least one performance parameter of the application using a third probe that executes a script on a third data processing device remotely located from the first data processing device on which the application executes, wherein execution of the script on the third data processing device causes transactions to be performed across the at least one network; and

mapping the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the third probe to the threshold values, wherein outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application is further based on the mapping of the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the third probe to the threshold values.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein times of execution of the script by the second probe and the third probe are staggered with respect to one another.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application comprises rating the application “

available,”

only if each of a plurality of transaction steps in processing a request sent to the application is successful within a timeout period.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the timeout period ranges from about 15 seconds to about 60 seconds.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first probe and second probe execute the script for measuring the at least one performance parameter for a plurality of applications executing on the first data processing device, wherein the same at least one performance parameter is measured for each of the plurality of applications, and wherein outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application comprises comparing measured performance parameters of the application with measured performance parameters of at least one other application executing on the first data processing device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the script executed by the first probe and the second probe measures the at least one performance parameter for each transaction step of a plurality of transaction steps of a transaction with the application.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application further comprises:

generating a table display output containing a plurality of table entries, one table entry for each transaction step in the transaction, wherein each table entry comprises a transaction step number, a transaction step name, and a description of an action an end user takes to execute the transaction step.

12. A system for evaluating an operation of an application executing on a data processing device, comprising:

means for setting threshold values for the at least one performance parameter;

a plurality of probes comprising at least one local probe and at least one remote probe;

means for measuring at least one performance parameter of the application using the at least one local probe that executes a script on a first data processing device on which the application executes, wherein the script measures the at least one performance parameter of the application;

means for measuring the at least one performance parameter of the application using the at least one remote probe that executes the script on a second data processing device remotely located from the first data processing device on which the application executes, wherein execution of the script on the second data processing device causes transactions to be performed across at least one network;

means for adjusting the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the at least one remote probe to represent a type of network connection for communicating with the application that is common to end users of the application by converting measurement data using at least one conversion algorithm;

means for mapping the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the at least one local probe and the at least one remote probe to the threshold values; and

means for outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application based on the mapping of the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the at least one local probe and the at least one remote probe to the threshold values.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one local probe and at least one remote probe measure the at least one performance parameter using measurement parameters that comprise at least one of:

sampling interval;

timeout period; and

prerequisites for rating said application “

available.”

14. The system of claim 12, wherein:

the sampling interval ranges from about 5 minutes to about 60 minutes.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one performance parameter comprises at least one of a response time for at least one request sent to the application or a measurement of availability of the application.

16. The system of claim 12, comprising:

means for measuring the at least one performance parameter of the application using a third probe that executes a script on a third data processing device remotely located from the first data processing device on which the application executes, wherein execution of the script on the third data processing device causes transactions to be performed across the at least one network; and

means for mapping the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the third probe to the threshold values, wherein the means for outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application is further based on the mapping of the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the third probe to the threshold values.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein times of execution of the script by the second probe and the third probe are staggered with respect to one another.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the means for outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application comprises means for rating the application “

available,”

only if each of a plurality of transaction steps in processing a request sent to the application is successful within a timeout period.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein:

the timeout period ranges from about 15 seconds to about 60 seconds.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the first probe and second probe execute the script for measuring the at least one performance parameter for a plurality of applications executing on the first data processing device, wherein the same at least one performance parameter is measured for each of the plurality of applications, and wherein outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application comprises comparing measured performance parameters of the application with measured performance parameters of at least one other application executing on the first data processing device.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the script executed by the first probe and the second probe measures the at least one performance parameter for each transaction step of a plurality of transaction steps of a transaction with the application.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the means for outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application further comprises:

means for generating a table display output containing a plurality of table entries, one table entry for each transaction step in the transaction, wherein each table entry comprises a transaction step number, a transaction step name, and a description of an action an end user takes to execute the transaction step.

23. A computer program product in a computer-usable storage medium, the computer program product having computer-executable instructions, which when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to evaluate an operation of an application executing on a data processing device, said computer-executable instructions comprising:

instructions for setting threshold values for the at least one performance parameter;

instructions for employing a plurality of probes comprising at least one local probe and at least one remote probe;

instructions for measuring at least one performance parameter of the application using the at least one local probe that executes a script on a first data processing device on which the application executes, wherein the script measures the at least one performance parameter of the application;

instructions for measuring the at least one performance parameter of the application using the at least one remote probe that executes the script on a second data processing device remotely located from the first data processing device on which the application executes, wherein execution of the script on the second data processing device causes transactions to be performed across at least one network;

instructions for adjusting the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the at least one remote probe to represent a type of network connection for communicating with the application that is common to end users of the application by converting measurement data using at least one conversion algorithm;

instructions for mapping the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the at least one local probe and the at least one remote probe to the threshold values; and

instructions for outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application based on the mapping of the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the at least one local probe and the at least one remote probe to the threshold values.

24. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the at least one local probe and at least one remote probe measure the at least one performance parameter using measurement parameters that comprise at least one of:

sampling interval;

timeout period; and

prerequisites for rating said application “

available.”

25. The computer program product of claim 24, wherein:

the sampling interval ranges from about 5 minutes to about 60 minutes.

26. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the at least one performance parameter comprises at least one of a response time for at least one request sent to the application or a measurement of availability of the application.

27. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein said probes further comprise a plurality of remote probes.

28. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein times of execution of the script by the plurality of remote probes are staggered with respect to one another.

29. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the means for outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application comprises means for rating the application “

available,”

only if each of a plurality of transaction steps in processing a request sent to the application is successful within a timeout period.

30. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein:

the timeout period ranges from about 15 seconds to about 60 seconds.

31. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the at least one local probe and at least one remote probe execute the script for measuring the at least one performance parameter for a plurality of applications executing on the first data processing device, wherein the same at least one performance parameter is measured for each of the plurality of applications, and wherein outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application comprises comparing measured performance parameters of the application with measured performance parameters of at least one other application executing on the first data processing device.

32. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the script executed by the at least one local probe and the at least one remote probe measures the at least one performance parameter for each transaction step of a plurality of transaction steps of a transaction with the application.

33. The computer program product of claim 32, wherein the instructions for outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application further comprises:

instructions for generating a table display output containing a plurality of table entries, one table entry for each transaction step in the transaction, wherein each table entry comprises a transaction step number, a transaction step name, and a description of an action an end user takes to execute the transaction step.

34. A method, in a distributed data processing system having at least one network, for evaluating an operation of an application executing on a data processing device, comprising:

measuring at least one performance parameter of the application using a first probe that executes a script on a first data processing device on which the application executes, wherein the script measures the at least one performance parameter of the application;

measuring the at least one performance parameter of the application using a second probe that executes the script on a second data processing device remotely located from the first data processing device on which the application executes, wherein execution of the script on the second data processing device causes transactions to be performed across the at least one network;

adjusting the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the second probe to represent a type of network connection for communicating with the application that is common to end users of the application by converting measurement data using at least one conversion algorithm;

setting threshold values for the at least one performance parameter;

mapping the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the first probe and the second probe to the threshold values; and

outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application based on the mapping of the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the first probe and the second probe to the threshold values, wherein outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application further comprises;

comparing a first measurement of the at least one performance parameter performed by the first probe with a second measurement of the at least one performance parameter performed by the second probe;

identifying a performance of the at least one network based on the comparison of the first measurement with the second measurement; and

determining if a performance problem of the application is a function of the application itself or of the at least one network based on the identified performance of the at least one network.

35. A system for evaluating an operation of an application executing on a data processing device, comprising:

means for setting threshold values for the at least one performance parameter;

a plurality of probes comprising at least one local probe and at least one remote probe;

means for measuring at least one performance parameter of the application using the at least one local probe that executes a script on a first data processing device on which the application executes, wherein the script measures the at least one performance parameter of the application;

means for measuring the at least one performance parameter of the application using the at least one remote probe that executes the script on a second data processing device remotely located from the first data processing device on which the application executes, wherein execution of the script on the second data processing device causes transactions to be performed across at least one network;

means for adjusting the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the at least one remote probe to represent a type of network connection for communicating with the application that is common to end users of the application by converting measurement data using at least one conversion algorithm;

means for mapping the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the at least one local probe and the at least one remote probe to the threshold values; and

means for outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application based on the mapping of the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the at least one local probe and the at least one remote probe to the threshold values, wherein the means for outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application further comprises;

means for comparing a first measurement of the at least one performance parameter performed by the first probe with a second measurement of the at least one performance parameter performed by the second probe;

means for identifying a performance of the at least one network based on the comparison of the first measurement with the second measurement; and

means for determining if a performance problem of the application is a function of the application itself or of the at least one network based on the identified performance of the at least one network.

36. A computer program product in a computer-usable storage medium, the computer program product having computer-executable instructions, which when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to evaluate an operation of an application executing on a data processing device, said computer-executable instructions comprising:

instructions for setting threshold values for the at least one performance parameter;

instructions for employing a plurality of probes comprising at least one local probe and at least one remote probe;

instructions for measuring at least one performance parameter of the application using the at least one local probe that executes a script on a first data processing device on which the application executes, wherein the script measures the at least one performance parameter of the application;

instructions for adjusting the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the at least one remote probe to represent a type of network connection for communicating with the application that is common to end users of the application by converting measurement data using at least one conversion algorithm;

instructions for mapping the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the at least one local probe and the at least one remote probe to the threshold values; and

instructions for outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application based on the mapping of the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the at least one local probe and the at least one remote probe to the threshold values, wherein the instructions for outputting an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application further comprises;

instructions for comparing a first measurement of the at least one performance parameter performed by the at least one local probe with a second measurement of the at least one performance parameter performed by the at least one remote probe;

instructions for identifying a performance of the at least one network based on the comparison of the first measurement with the second measurement; and

instructions for determining if a performance problem of the application is a function of the application itself or of the at least one network based on the identified performance of the at least one network.

37. A system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory contains instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

set threshold values for at least one performance parameter of an application;

receive measurements of at least one performance parameter of the application from a first probe that executes a script on a first data processing device on which the application executes, wherein the script measures the at least one performance parameter of the application;

receive measurements of at least one performance parameter of the application from a second probe that executes the script on a second data processing device remotely located from the first data processing device on which the application executes, wherein execution of the script on the second data processing device causes transactions to be performed across the at least one network;

adjust the measurements of the at least one performance parameter performed by the second probe to represent a type of network connection for communicating with the application that is common to end users of the application by converting measurement data using at least one conversion algorithm;

map the measurements of the at least one performance parameter received from the first probe and the second probe to the threshold values; and

output an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application based on the mapping of the measurements of the at least one performance parameter received from the first probe and the second probe to the threshold values, wherein the instructions cause the processor to output an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the application by;

comparing a first measurement of the at least one performance parameter performed by the first probe with a second measurement of the at least one performance parameter performed by the second probe;

identifying a performance of the at least one network based on the comparison of the first measurement with the second measurement; and

determining if a performance problem of the application is a function of the application itself or of the at least one network based on the identified performance of the at least one network.