Graphics for end to end component mapping and problem-solving in a network environment

• US 7,412,502 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2002
• Issued: 08/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Vijayan, Geetha, Fearn, Paul, Olsson, Stig Arne
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaroenchonwanit; Bunjob
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOAN, DUYEN MY
• Application Number:
  US10/125,619
• Publication Number:
  US 20030200293A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,308 Days
• Field of Search: 709223-226, 715734-737, 715/733
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3495 for systems

Abstract

An example of a solution provided here comprises receiving as input at least one event (chosen from an event generated by an application probe, and an event generated by a component probe), and providing graphical output based on said inputs, whereby a user correlates a component problem with a performance problem affecting an application. Methods connected with graphics for end to end component mapping and problem—solving in a network environment, systems for executing such methods, and instructions on a computer-usable medium, for executing such methods, are provided.

Claims

1. A method for mapping, said method comprising:

receiving component identifiers as input, wherein each component identifier comprises a depth parameter, a component name parameter, and a parent component parameter;

receiving one or more event identifiers as input, wherein each event identifier comprises a depth parameter, an event name parameter, and a parent component parameter; and

providing a graphical representation of a hierarchy containing separate graphical objects representative of a business process, an event generated by one of an application probe or a component probe, and at least one of a hardware component or a software component, wherein;

the graphical representation of the hierarchy is generated based on the received component identifiers and the one or more event identifiers,

a general view of a business process is represented in a level at one extreme of said hierarchy,

at least one event generated by a component probe is represented in a level at the opposite extreme of said hierarchy from the level at which the general view of the business process is represented, and

at least one event generated by an application probe is represented in an intermediate level of said hierarchy between the general view of the business process and the at least one event generated by the component probe,

wherein said providing a graphical representation further comprises;

providing an axis representing the death parameter, wherein graphical objects representative of the business process, an event generated by one of an application probe or a component probe, and at least one of a hardware component or a software component are arranged along the axis according to their corresponding depth parameter in the corresponding component or event identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving one or more event identifiers further comprises:

at least one event generated by an application probe; and

at least one event generated by a component probe.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said hierarchy includes approximately six to eight levels.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing a graphical representation further comprises:

providing a class diagram.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein each component identifier and each event identifier further comprise a criticality parameter.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein each event identifier further comprises a problem determination parameter that associates problem determination procedures to an event associated with the event identifier.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein each event identifier further comprises a destination parameter that identifies where a report of an event associated with the event identifier was sent.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein each event identifier further comprises a service level agreement parameter that provides an index into a repository of service level agreements.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the graphical representation of the hierarchy comprises arranging the separate graphical objects such that a graphical object representative of an event generated by one of an application probe or a component probe is graphically linked to a separate graphical object representative of one of a software or hardware component that generated the event.

5. A method for mapping, said method comprising:

receiving as input at least one component identifier representing at least one of the hardware component or the software component, wherein each component identifier comprises a depth parameter, a component name parameter, and a parent component parameter,

receiving as input at least one event identifier representing at least one event chosen from;

an event generated by an application probe; and

an event generated by a component probe, wherein each event identifier comprises a depth parameter, an event name parameter, and a parent component parameter; and

providing graphical output based on at least one component identifier and said at least one event identifier, wherein;

providing a graphical output comprises providing a graphical representation of a hierarchy containing separate graphical objects representative of the at least one event whereby a user correlates a component problem with a performance problem affecting an application based on the graphical output,

said component problem is associated with said at least one event,

a general view of a business process is represented in a level at one extreme of said hierarchy,

at least one event generated by a component probe is represented in a level at the opposite extreme of said hierarchy from the level at which the general view of the business process is represented, and

at least one event generated by an application probe is represented in an intermediate level of said hierarchy between the general view of the business process and the at least one event generated by the component probe,

wherein providing a graphical output further comprises;

providing an axis representing the depth parameter, wherein graphical objects representative of the at least one event and the at least one of the hardware component or the software component are arranged along the axis according to their corresponding depth parameter in their corresponding component or event identifier.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

directing problem—

solving efforts, based on said graphical output.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said providing graphical output further comprises:

providing graphical representations of items chosen from;

a business process; and

an application.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said providing graphical output further comprises:

providing an axis representing a depth parameter.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein said hierarchy includes approximately six to eight levels.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein said providing graphical output further comprises:

providing a class diagram.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein said providing graphical output further comprises:

providing one or more views chosen from;

an application view;

a component view; and

a combination view.

17. The method of claim 5, wherein each component identifier and each event identifier further comprise a criticality parameter.

18. The method of claim 5, wherein each event identifier further comprises a problem determination parameter that associates problem determination procedures to an event associated with the event identifier.

19. The method of claim 5, wherein each event identifier further comprises a destination parameter that identifies where a report of an event associated with the event identifier was sent.

20. The method of claim 5, wherein each event identifier further comprises a service level agreement parameter that provides an index into a repository of service level agreements.

21. The method of claim 5, wherein providing the graphical representation of the hierarchy comprises arranging the separate graphical objects such that a graphical object representative of an event generated by one of an application probe or a component probe is graphically linked to a separate graphical object representative of one of a software or hardware component that generated the event.