Patent ID: 7162390
Filing Date: 2007-01-09
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable modules for collecting and storing at least one metric that describes the operating condition of a computer component over a time interval, comprising: a configuration module for configuring a metric in accordance with user input, the metric comprising data concerning the operational condition of a computer component, the data concerning the operational condition of the computer component including normal as well as abnormal operating condition data; a data collection module for continuously collecting the metric; a central metrics storage module for storing the metric collected by the data collection module; and one or more component specific plug-ins that provide custom settings for the computer component that the metric concerns, the component specific plug-in including an item selected from the group consisting of a configuration plug-in, a data collection plug-in, and an IPF plug-in, wherein an IPF plug-in includes: (i) an IPF UI plug-in for setting one or more thresholds on a metric; and (ii) an IPF client plug-in for monitoring the metric at run time and taking appropriate action if the metric falls outside the thresholds; and wherein the data collection module: (i) feeds the metric to the IPF client plug-in; (ii) obtains a result from the IPF client plug-in; (iii) continues collecting the metric if the result is positive; and (iv) stops collecting the metric and removes the metric already collected if the result is negative.