US6405327B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for and method of automatic monitoring of computer performance
Assignee: Unisys Corp
•
Filing: 1998-08-19
•
Granted: 2002-06-11
•
Expires: 2018-08-19
Abstract
Abstract The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages associated with the prior art by providing an automated, real time performance monitoring facility which runs periodically as a background process in a computer system. This invention preferably uses performance data collection sites already present in the hardware of the computer system, microcode and/or operating system software. At a user selectable period of time, a sampling of key performance factors is taken from the performance data collection sites. The performance monitor then analyzes the, sampled results by comparing the collected results against two or more performance threshold levels (such as early warning or actual performance limiters) for each performance criteria. If either an actual or early warning performance limiter is detected, an easy-to-understand color coded informational message is provided to a computer operator identifying subsystems that are performance inhibitors along with suggestions of specific upgrade solutions that will address the identified performance problems.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph E. Sipple
- 👤 Bruce T. Kunz
- 👤 Lee B. Hansen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:53
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/30; G06F11/34; G06F11/3409; G06F11/32; G06F11/324; G06F11/3466; G06F11/3495; G06F11/327; G06F2201/00; G06F2201/81
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
An apparatus for monitoring performance of a computer system, the computer system having a plurality of performance data collection sites located within key operational areas of the computer system wherein normal operation of the computer system causes said data collection sites to contain updated performance information, comprising: a. collecting means for gathering performance information from said performance data collection sites; b. analysis means coupled to said collecting means for comparing said performance information against two or more performance thresholds within each said key operational area, thereby identifying a number of performance limiters; c. notification means coupled to said analysis means for notifying a user of the computer system of said performance limiters; wherein one of said performance thresholds is set to notify users of an early warning performance limitation; wherein said notification means notifies the user of said early warning performance limitation through an informational message on a display means; wherein said key operational areas identify one or more computer subsystems; wherein the one or more computer subsystems are selected from a group consisting of an instruction processor subsystem, a memory subsystem, and an input/output subsystem; wherein said informational message provides said user with suggestions of specific upgrade solutions that will alleviate the early warning performance limitation; wherein said informational message is sent via electronic means; and wherein said informational message is color coded on said display means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
228 words
An apparatus for monitoring performance of a computer system, the computer system having a plurality of performance data collection sites located within key operational areas of the computer system wherein normal operation of the computer system causes said data collection sites to contain updated performance information, comprising: a. collecting means for gathering performance information from said performance data collection sites; b. analysis means coupled to said collecting means for comparing said performance information against two or more performance thresholds within each said key operational area, thereby identifying a number of performance limiters; c. notification means coupled to said analysis means for notifying a user of the computer system of said performance limiters; wherein one of said performance thresholds is set to notify users of an early warning performance limitation; wherein said notification means notifies the user of said early warning performance limitation through an informational message on a display means; wherein said key operational areas identify one or more computer subsystems; wherein the one or more computer subsystems are selected from a group consisting of an instruction processor subsystem, a memory subsystem, and an input/output subsystem; wherein said informational message provides said user with suggestions of specific upgrade solutions that will alleviate the early warning performance limitation; wherein said informational message is sent via electronic means; and wherein said informational message is color coded on said display means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said collecting means runs periodically.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said computer system is a Unisys 2200 series mainframe computer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said computer system is a Unisys ClearPath IX computer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for monitoring performance of a computer system, the computer system having a plurality of performance data collection sites located within key operational areas of the computer system wherein normal operation of the computer system causes said data collection sites to contain updated performance information, comprising: a. collecting means for gathering performance information from said performance data collection sites; b. analysis means coupled to said collecting means for comparing said performance information against two or more performance thresholds within each said key operational area, thereby identifying a number of performance limiters; and c. notification means coupled to said analysis means for notifying a user of the computer system of said performance limiters; wherein said collecting means runs periodically; wherein said collecting means further comprises a set of user assignable parameters comprising a first parameter defining a time period between said data point collections, a second parameter defining a total time length for a set of data point collections, and a third parameter defining a start time for running each of said set of said data point collections.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for monitoring performance of a computer system, the computer system having a plurality of performance data collection sites located within key operational areas of the computer system wherein normal operation of the computer system causes said data collection sites to contain updated performance information, comprising: a. collecting means for gathering performance information from said performance data collection sites; b. analysis means coupled to said collecting means for comparing said performance information against two or more performance thresholds within each said key operational area, thereby identifying a number of performance limiters; and c. notification means coupled to said analysis means for notifying a user of the computer system of said performance limiters; wherein said collecting means runs periodically; wherein said collecting means further comprises a set of user assignable parameters comprising a first parameter defining a time period between said data point collections, a second parameter defining a total time length for a set of data point collections, and a third parameter defining a start time for running each of said set of said data point collections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein one of the performance limiters relates to processor utilization.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein one of the performance limiters relates to memory utilization.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein one of the performance limiters relates to input/output performance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein one of said performance thresholds is set to notify users of an early warning performance limitation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said notification means notifies the user of said early warning performance limitation through an informational message on a display means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said key operational areas identify one or more computer subsystems.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the one or more computer subsystems are selected from a group consisting of an instruction processor subsystem, a memory subsystem, and an input/output subsystem.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said informational message provides said user with suggestions of specific upgrade solutions that will alleviate the early warning performance limitation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said informational message is sent via electronic means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein one of said performance thresholds is set to notify said users of an actual performance limitation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said notification means notifies said user of an actual performance limitation through an informational message on a display means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said key operational areas identifies one or more computer subsystems.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the one or more computer subsystems are selected from a group consisting of an instruction processor subsystem, a memory subsystem, and an input/output subsystem.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said informational message provides said user with suggestions of specific upgrade solutions that will address said actual performance limitations.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for monitoring performance of a computer system, the computer system having a plurality of performance data collection sites located within key operational areas of the computer system wherein normal operation of the computer system causes said data collection sites to contain updated performance information, comprising: a. collecting means for gathering performance information from said performance data collection sites; b. analysis means coupled to said collecting means for comparing said performance information against two or more performance thresholds within each said key operational area, thereby identifying a number of performance limiters; c. notification means coupled to said analysis means for notifying a user of the computer system of said performance limiters; wherein one of said performance thresholds is set to notify said users of an actual performance limitation; wherein said notification means notifies said user of an actual performance limitation through an informational message on a display means; wherein said key operational areas identifies one or more computer subsystems; wherein the one or more computer subsystems are selected from a group consisting of an instruction processor subsystem, a memory subsystem, and an input/output subsystem; wherein said informational message provides said user with suggestions of specific upgrade solutions that will address said actual performance limitations; and wherein said message will be color coded on said display means indicating an actual performance limitation.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for monitoring performance of a computer system, the computer system having a plurality of performance data collection sites located within key operational areas of the computer system wherein normal operation of the computer system causes said data collection sites to contain updated performance information, comprising: a. collecting means for gathering performance information from said performance data collection sites; b. analysis means coupled to said collecting means for comparing said performance information against two or more performance thresholds within each said key operational area, thereby identifying a number of performance limiters; c. notification means coupled to said analysis means for notifying a user of the computer system of said performance limiters; wherein one of said performance thresholds is set to notify said users of an actual performance limitation; wherein said notification means notifies said user of an actual performance limitation through an informational message on a display means; wherein said key operational areas identifies one or more computer subsystems; wherein the one or more computer subsystems are selected from a group consisting of an instruction processor subsystem, a memory subsystem, and an input/output subsystem; wherein said informational message provides said user with suggestions of specific upgrade solutions that will address said actual performance limitations; and wherein said message will be color coded on said display means indicating an actual performance limitation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said informational message is sent via electronic means.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for monitoring performance of a computer system, the computer system having a plurality of performance data collection sites located within key operational areas of the computer system wherein normal operation of the computer system causes said data collection sites to contain updated performance information, comprising: a. collecting means for gathering said performance information from said performance data collection sites, wherein said collecting means further comprises a set of user assignable parameters comprising a first parameter defining a time period between said data point collections, a second parameter defining the total time length for a set of data point collections, and a third parameter defining the start time for running each of said sets of said data point collections; b. analysis means coupled to said collecting means for comparing said performance information against two or more performance thresholds within each said key operations area, thereby identifying a number of performance limiters; and c. notification means coupled to said analysis means for notifying a user of the computer system of said performance limiters.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for monitoring performance of a computer system, the computer system having a plurality of performance data collection sites located within key operational areas of the computer system wherein normal operation of the computer system causes said data collection sites to contain updated performance information, comprising: a. collecting means for gathering said performance information from said performance data collection sites, wherein said collecting means further comprises a set of user assignable parameters comprising a first parameter defining a time period between said data point collections, a second parameter defining the total time length for a set of data point collections, and a third parameter defining the start time for running each of said sets of said data point collections; b. analysis means coupled to said collecting means for comparing said performance information against two or more performance thresholds within each said key operations area, thereby identifying a number of performance limiters; and c. notification means coupled to said analysis means for notifying a user of the computer system of said performance limiters.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
A data processing system according to claim 22 wherein said key operational areas comprise instruction processor utilization, memory utilization, and input/output performance.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for monitoring performance of a computer system comprising: a. gathering a set of performance information from a set of performance data collection sites located within key operational areas of the computer system; b. comparing said set of performance information against two or more performance thresholds within each said key operational area in order to identify a set of performance limiters; c. delivering a notification to a computer operator of any of said performance limiters; wherein said gathering further comprises a set of user assignable parameters comprising a first parameter defining a time period between said data point collections, a second parameter defining the total time length for a set of data point collections, and a third parameter defining the start time for running each of said sets of said data point collections.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for monitoring performance of a computer system comprising: a. gathering a set of performance information from a set of performance data collection sites located within key operational areas of the computer system; b. comparing said set of performance information against two or more performance thresholds within each said key operational area in order to identify a set of performance limiters; c. delivering a notification to a computer operator of any of said performance limiters; wherein said gathering further comprises a set of user assignable parameters comprising a first parameter defining a time period between said data point collections, a second parameter defining the total time length for a set of data point collections, and a third parameter defining the start time for running each of said sets of said data point collections.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for monitoring performance of a computer system comprising: a. gathering a set of performance information from a set of performance data collection sites located within key operational areas of the computer system; b. comparing said set of performance information against two or more performance thresholds within each said key operational area in order to identify a set of performance limiters; c. delivering a notification to a computer operator of any of said performance limiters; wherein said performance thresholds further comprises early warning performance problems and actual performance problems.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for monitoring performance of a computer system comprising: a. gathering a set of performance information from a set of performance data collection sites located within key operational areas of the computer system; b. comparing said set of performance information against two or more performance thresholds within each said key operational area in order to identify a set of performance limiters; c. delivering a notification to a computer operator of any of said performance limiters; wherein said performance thresholds further comprises early warning performance problems and actual performance problems.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein a message outlining a recommended course of action for addressing said early warning performance problems is sent to said computer operator whenever said early warning performance problems are projected.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein said message is color coded on a display means indicating said early warning performance problem.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
An method according to claim 27 wherein said message is sent via electronic means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein a message outlining a recommended course of action for addressing said actual performance problems is sent to said computer operator whenever said actual performance problems exist.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 29 wherein said message is color coded on a display means indicating said actual performance problem.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
An method according to claim 30 wherein said message is sent via electronic means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-06-10 | 2005-12-10 | 2006-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-10 | 2009-12-10 | 2010-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-10 | 2013-12-10 | 2014-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |