Patent US4123529A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7203864B2
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Method and system for clustering computers into peer groups and comparing individual computers to their peers
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
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Filing: 2004-06-25
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Granted: 2007-04-10
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Expires: 2024-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for identifying clusters of similarly-configured computers. The method, for example, comprises gathering system and business configuration information values from a set of computers. Next, at least a portion of the system and business configuration information values gathered from the set of computers is analyzed along with the numbers of computers that are configured in various ways. Then, using the result of the analysis as a guide, logical expressions of configuration information values are selected for use as definitions of one or more clusters of similarly-configured computers, the selection process generally maximizing the number of computers included within each cluster and also generally maximizing the number of configuration information value specifications included within the definition of each cluster. Then, for one or more clusters so defined and selected, one or more statistics or limit values are generated from one or more configuration information values or both gathered from the subset of computers included in the one or more clusters.
Inventors
- 👤 Todd Mitchell Goin
- 👤 Randall Bruce Campbell
- 👤 James Richard Stinger
- 👤 Thomas Elliott Fawcett
- 👤 Douglas William Steele
- 👤 Nina Mishra
- 👤 Henri Jacques Suermondt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for identifying clusters of similarly-configured computers comprising: gathering system and business configuration information values from a set of computers; analyzing at least a portion of the system and business configuration information values gathered from the set of computers as well as the numbers of computers that are configured in various ways; using the result of the analysis as a guide, selecting logical expressions of configuration information values for use as definitions of one or more clusters of similarly-configured computers, the selection process generally maximizing a number of configuration information value specifications; and for one or more clusters so defined and selected, generating one or more statistics or limit values or both from one or more configuration information values gathered from a subset of computers included in the one or more clusters; and collecting the one or more statistics or limit values or both in a database for later use characterizing each cluster and as an aide in diagnosing problems in computer members of the cluster.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for identifying clusters of similarly-configured computers comprising: gathering system and business configuration information values from a set of computers; analyzing at least a portion of the system and business configuration information values gathered from the set of computers as well as the numbers of computers that are configured in various ways; using the result of the analysis as a guide, selecting logical expressions of configuration information values for use as definitions of one or more clusters of similarly-configured computers, the selection process generally maximizing a number of configuration information value specifications; and for one or more clusters so defined and selected, generating one or more statistics or limit values or both from one or more configuration information values gathered from a subset of computers included in the one or more clusters; and collecting the one or more statistics or limit values or both in a database for later use characterizing each cluster and as an aide in diagnosing problems in computer members of the cluster.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the analyzing step further comprises choosing for analysis a random sample of the set of computers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein the generating step further comprises generating statistics or limit values or both from a random sample of the subset of computers included in the one or more clusters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the generating step further comprises generating statistics or limit values or both from a random sample of the subset of computers included within the one or more clusters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the system configuration information values included within each selected cluster definition comprise a type of computer and a type of operating system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein the system configuration information values included within each selected cluster definition further comprise at least some kernel configuration information values.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 which further comprises the step of comparing the configuration of a given computer to that of the computers in such a cluster by comparing at least one configuration information value gathered from the given computer to a corresponding one or more statistics or limit values generated for at least one of the clusters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein the generating step further comprises generating performance statistics, and wherein the comparing step further comprises comparing these performance statistics to one or more of the given computer's performance configuration information values.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the business configuration information values gathered further comprise a business classification.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the business configuration information values gathered further comprise a identity of business application software installed on the computers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the business configuration information values gathered further comprise a identity of businesses application software actually operated on the computers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the selecting step further comprises including in the definition of at least some clusters at least one business configuration information value and at least one system configuration information value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the selecting step further comprises including in the definition of at least some clusters configuration information values specifying one type of computer and one type of operating system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein the selecting step further comprises including in the definition of at least some clusters at least one business classification configuration information value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein the selecting step further comprises including in the definition of at least some clusters at least one business configuration information value indicating a identity of business application software.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the analyzing step further comprises using a conjunctive clustering process to define potential clusters and to determine how many computers are included within each potential cluster.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein the conjunctive clustering process used is a relaxed conjunctive clustering process that includes at least some computers within a cluster even when their configurations do not fully satisfy the cluster's logical definition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein the selecting step further comprises including in the definition of at least some clusters at least one business configuration information value and at least one system configuration information value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the analyzing step further comprises using logical expressions to combine configuration information value requirements to define potential clusters and to determine how many computers are included within each potential cluster, the logic being applied in a relaxed manner such that at least some computers may be included within a cluster even when their configurations do not fully satisfy the cluster's definition.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
177 words
A system for identifying from a set of computers clusters of similarly-configured computers comprising: a data gathering system connecting to the set of computers arranged to gather system and business configuration information values from the computers in the set; a clustering routine that can analyze at least a portion of the gathered system and business configuration information values as well as determine how many computers are configured in a given way, and that uses the results of such an analysis to guide in the selection of logical expressions of configuration information values for use as definitions of one or more clusters of similarly-configured computers, the selection process generally maximizing the number of computers included within each cluster and also generally maximizing maximizing a number of configuration information value specifications included within the definition of each cluster a cluster parameter routine that generates one or more information values representing statistics or limit values or both and corresponding to at least some of the configuration information values from a subset of computers included in the one or more clusters.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
177 words
A system for identifying from a set of computers clusters of similarly-configured computers comprising: a data gathering system connecting to the set of computers arranged to gather system and business configuration information values from the computers in the set; a clustering routine that can analyze at least a portion of the gathered system and business configuration information values as well as determine how many computers are configured in a given way, and that uses the results of such an analysis to guide in the selection of logical expressions of configuration information values for use as definitions of one or more clusters of similarly-configured computers, the selection process generally maximizing the number of computers included within each cluster and also generally maximizing maximizing a number of configuration information value specifications included within the definition of each cluster a cluster parameter routine that generates one or more information values representing statistics or limit values or both and corresponding to at least some of the configuration information values from a subset of computers included in the one or more clusters.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein the clustering routine includes a sampling routine that enables the clustering routine to analyze the configuration information values gathered from a random sample of computers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system in accordance with claim 21 wherein the cluster parameter routine also generates information values representing statistics or limit values or both by processing configuration information values gathered from a random sample of the set of computers included in the one or more clusters.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein the cluster parameter routine generates information values representing statistics or limit values or both by processing configuration information values gathered from a random sample of the computers included in the one or more clusters.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein the data gathering system gathers system configuration information values including the type of computer and the type of operating system, and the clustering routine includes at least this information in the definition of each selected cluster.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system in accordance with claim 24 wherein the data gathering system also gathers at least some kernel information, and the clustering routine includes at least some kernel information in the definition of at least some selected clusters.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
77 words
A system in accordance with claim 20 which further comprises a computer versus cluster comparison routine having access to the information values generated by the cluster parameter routine that can compare the configuration of a given computer to that of the computers in such a cluster by comparing at least one configuration information value gathered from a given computer to a corresponding one or more statistics or limit values generated for at least one of the clusters.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system in accordance with claim 26 wherein the data gathering system gathers performance configuration information values, wherein the cluster parameter routine generates performance statistics or limit values or both, and wherein the comparison routine is further designed to compare at least some performance configuration information values of a given computer to performance statistics or limit values of one or more clusters.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein the data gathering system gathers data comprising business classification configuration information values.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein the data gathering system gathers business configuration information values comprising a identity of business application software installed on a computer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein the data gathering system gathers business configuration information values comprising a identity of business application software actually operated on a computer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system in accordance with claim 20 the clustering routine includes in the definition of at least some clusters at least one system configuration information value and at least one business configuration information value.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein the clustering routine includes within the definition of at least some clusters configuration information values specifying one type of computer and one type of operating system.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system in accordance with claim 32 wherein the clustering routine includes within the definition of at least one cluster at least one business classification configuration information value.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system in accordance with claim 32 wherein the clustering routine includes within the definition of at least some clusters at least one business configuration information value specifying a identity of business application software.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein the clustering routine comprises a conjunctive clustering routine that defines potential clusters and that determines how many computers are included in each potential cluster.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system in accordance with claim 35 wherein the clustering routine further comprises a relaxed conjunctive clustering routine that includes at least some computers within a cluster even when their configurations do not fully satisfy the cluster's logical definition.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system in accordance with claim 35 wherein the data gathering system gathers from the computers and the clustering routine includes in the definition of at least some clusters at least one system configuration information value and at least one business configuration information value.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein the clustering routine utilizes logical expressions to combine configuration information value requirements to define potential clusters and to determine how many computers are included within each potential cluster, the logic being applied in a relaxed manner such that at least some computers may be included within a cluster even when their configurations do not fully satisfy the cluster's definition.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
109 words
A system in accordance with claim 20 which further comprises: a computer versus cluster comparison routine having access to the information values generated by the cluster parameter routine that can compare the configuration of a given computer to that of the computers in such a cluster by comparing at least one configuration information value gathered from a given computer to a corresponding one or more information values generated for at least one of the clusters; wherein the cluster parameter routine generates statistics; and wherein the comparison routine further comprises a comparison mechanism that compares the configuration information values of a given computer to the corresponding statistics of a cluster.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
112 words
A system in accordance with claim 20 which further comprises: a computer versus cluster comparison routine having access to the information values generated by the cluster parameter routine that can compare the configuration of a given computer to that of the computers in such a cluster by comparing at least one configuration information value gathered from a given computer to a corresponding one or more information values generated for at least one of the clusters; wherein the cluster parameter routine generates statistics limit values, and wherein the comparison routine further comprises a comparison mechanism that compares the configuration information values of a given computer to the corresponding limit values of a cluster.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
167 words
A system for identifying from a set of computers clusters of similarly-configured computers comprising: data gathering means connecting to the set of computers for gathering system and business configuration information values from the computers in the set; analysis and selecting means for analyzing at least a portion of the gathered system and business configuration information values, for determining how many computers are configured in a given way, and for using the results of such an analysis to guide in the selection of logical expressions of configuration information values for use as definitions of one or more clusters, the selection process generally maximizing the number of computers included within each cluster and also generally maximizing a number of configuration information value specifications included within the definition of each cluster; and means for generating one or more information values representing statistics or limit values or both and corresponding to at least some of the configuration information values from a subset of computers included in the one or more clusters.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
167 words
A system for identifying from a set of computers clusters of similarly-configured computers comprising: data gathering means connecting to the set of computers for gathering system and business configuration information values from the computers in the set; analysis and selecting means for analyzing at least a portion of the gathered system and business configuration information values, for determining how many computers are configured in a given way, and for using the results of such an analysis to guide in the selection of logical expressions of configuration information values for use as definitions of one or more clusters, the selection process generally maximizing the number of computers included within each cluster and also generally maximizing a number of configuration information value specifications included within the definition of each cluster; and means for generating one or more information values representing statistics or limit values or both and corresponding to at least some of the configuration information values from a subset of computers included in the one or more clusters.
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2010-04-09 | 2010-10-09 | 2011-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-04-09 | 2014-10-09 | 2015-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-04-09 | 2018-10-09 | 2019-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |