Patent ID: 9195852
Filing Date: 2015-11-24
Classification: G06F,G06Q,G16H

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for use as a device within a distributed computing system, the distributed computer system comprising a plurality of devices interconnected by a data network, the interconnected devices being communicable with each other using messages transmitted over the data network, the apparatus comprising: a monitoring component and a correction component; and at least one processor configured to execute the monitoring component and the correction component, wherein the monitoring component is operable to monitor the output of a policy controlled device, the policy controlled device forming one of the devices of the distributed computer system, the policy controlled device being associated with one or more policies which are applied to the policy controlled device in order to control the behavior of the policy controlled device, each said applied policy specifying a trigger event or events and an action or actions to be performed by the policy controlled device as a result of the trigger event being detected as having occurred, the monitoring component being further operable to compare the monitored output with one or more specified expected outputs and to generate a correction request in the event that the comparison indicates a divergence between the expected and observed outputs; wherein the correction component is operable to perform corrective actions as specified in the correction request generated by the monitoring component; and wherein each said applied policy further specifies the expected outputs with which the monitored output is compared by the monitor.