System diagnostic utility

• US 7,921,335 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2007
• Issued: 04/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Kiefer, Scott K., Burke, Eric T., Haws, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoliel; Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lottich; Joshua P
• Application Number:
  US11/739,184
• Publication Number:
  US 20080270837A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• Field of Search: 714/25, 714/26, 714/38, 714/46
• US Class Current: 714/46
• 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, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to allow users to run diagnostics needed to troubleshoot the application;

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 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, wherein the set of needed files includes a dynamic link library, wherein the set of identified diagnostic functions are identified using configuration information for the application, wherein the configuration information is located in a registry entry for the application, wherein the configuration information identifies resources that the application needs to access, and 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 of communications ports;

selecting an unperformed function using the configuration information;

executing the set of identified diagnostic functions with respect to the unperformed function, 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 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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

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

receiving a selection of an application for diagnostic testing, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to allow users to run diagnostics needed to troubleshoot the application;

responsive to receiving the selection of the application, identifying a 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 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, wherein the set of needed files includes a dynamic link library, wherein the set of identified diagnostic functions are identified using configuration information associated with the application, wherein the configuration information is located in a registry entry for the application, wherein the configuration information identifies resources that the application needs to access, and 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 of communications ports;

selecting an unperformed function using the configuration information; and

executing the identified diagnostic functions with respect to the unperformed function using the configuration information to test a correctness of a set of parameters needed by the application to properly function within an operating environment.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 8, 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.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 8 further comprising:

presenting results from executing the identified diagnostic functions.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 8, wherein identifying and executing steps are performed by a diagnostic utility.

12. 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, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to allow users to run diagnostics needed to troubleshoot the application;

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 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, wherein the set of needed files includes a dynamic link library, wherein the set of identified diagnostic functions are identified using configuration information for the application, wherein the configuration information is located in a registry entry for the application, wherein the configuration information identifies resources that the application needs to access, and 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 of communications ports;

computer usable program code for selecting an unperformed function using the configuration information;

computer usable program code for executing the set of identified diagnostic functions with respect to the unperformed function using the configuration information, 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.

13. The computer program product of claim 12 further comprising:

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

14. The computer program product of claim 12 further comprising:

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