Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-231950, filed on Nov. 14, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a message generation program, a message generation apparatus, and a message generation method. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A monitoring apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as a message browsing apparatus) that monitors, for example, a business system providing services to users (hereinafter also referred to as a monitoring target apparatus) monitors, for example, messages (hereinafter also referred to as event messages) output from the monitoring target apparatus. Thus, the monitoring apparatus checks the monitoring target apparatus for an operational status and the like. When an error message is output from the monitoring target apparatus, the monitoring apparatus determines that an abnormality has occurred in the monitoring target apparatus having output the error message, and for example, notifies an operational administrator of the error message. 
         [0004]    The message output from the monitoring target apparatus as described above is typically output and transmitted to the monitoring apparatus in a text data format. That is, the message output from the monitoring target apparatus is output with no information on rules for the message (for example, information that identifies location of information such as variable information contained in the message; hereinafter also referred to as format information) (see for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2013-214159). 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    An enormous number of messages may be output from the monitoring target apparatus depending on the numbers of applications, middleware applications, and the like operating in the monitoring target apparatus. Thus, the monitoring target apparatus typically compresses an output message using a ZIP scheme or the like before transmitting the message to the monitoring apparatus. Consequently, the monitoring target apparatus enables a reduction in the capacity of the message transmitted to the monitoring apparatus. 
         [0006]    However, the compression according to the ZIP scheme is performed on each message based on a rule for the longest matching string. Thus, the monitoring target apparatus having received a message fails to extract message data or format information from the received message (compressed message). For example, the operational administrator fails to perform, for example, analysis of fault information based on the format information, in the monitoring apparatus. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, when the monitoring target apparatus preliminarily defines format information on the message and transmits the format information to the monitoring apparatus, the monitoring apparatus can determine the format information corresponding to the received message. However, the monitoring apparatus needs to hold the format information on the message for each application and each middleware application from which the monitoring apparatus may receive output messages. 
         [0008]    According to an aspect of the embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing therein a message generation program that causes a computer to execute a process includes converting a message generated according to occurrence of an event into converted data complying to a particular format, and transmitting a format information of the particular format, the converted data, and a restoring program, the restoring program restoring the message based on the format information and the converted data. 
         [0009]    The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
         [0010]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a diagram depicting a general configuration of an information processing system. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating specific examples of messages. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating specific examples of messages. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating specific examples of messages. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a diagram schematically illustrating a data creation process in the first embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a diagram schematically illustrating a data creation process in the first embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a diagram schematically illustrating a data creation process in the first embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a diagram schematically illustrating a data creation process in the first embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a diagram depicting a hardware configuration of the information processing system. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a functional block diagram of the monitoring target apparatus in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a functional block diagram of the monitoring apparatus in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart schematically illustrating the data creation process in the first embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating the details of the data creation process and the message restoration process in the first embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating the details of the data creation process and the message restoration process in the first embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating the details of the data creation process and the message restoration process in the first embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating the details of the data creation process and the message restoration process in the first embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a diagram illustrating the details of the data creation process and the message restoration process in the first embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a flowchart illustrating a data creation process and a message restoration process in the second embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is a flowchart illustrating a data creation process and a message restoration process in the second embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is a diagram illustrating the data creation process and the message restoration process in the second embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    [Configuration of the Information Processing System] 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is a diagram depicting a general configuration of an information processing system. An information processing system  100  depicted in  FIG. 1  includes, for example, a monitoring target apparatus  1  in which, for example, a business system providing services to users is constructed and a monitoring apparatus  2  that monitors messages output from the monitoring target apparatus  1 . The monitoring target apparatus  1  and the monitoring apparatus  2  each include one or more physical machines. 
         [0033]    In an example in  FIG. 1 , for example, a plurality of applications  11 , a plurality of middleware applications  12 , and an operating system (OS)  13  operate in the monitoring target apparatus  1 . The plurality of applications  11 , the plurality of middleware applications  12 , and the OS  13  each output messages to the monitoring apparatus  2 . 
         [0034]    The monitoring apparatus  2  accumulates received messages, for example, in order to enable an operational administrator to analyze the messages. The monitoring apparatus  2 , for example, displays the received messages on a display apparatus (not depicted in the drawings) to enable the operational administrator to browse the messages. 
         [0035]    The messages output by the monitoring target apparatus  1  are output when predefined events occur in the applications  11  or the like. The messages include information messages that are messages relating to operational statuses of the applications  11  or the like, for example, a message indicating that a job has ended normally. The messages also include warning messages that are messages attracting the attention of the operational administrator, for example, a message indicating that the remaining amount of a storage medium accessed by the application  11  or the like has decreased below a threshold. Moreover, the messages include error messages that are messages notifying the operational administrator that an abnormality has occurred in the application  11  or the like, for example, a message indicating that a job has ended abnormally. Consequently, the monitoring apparatus  2  can extract error messages that need to be dealt with by the operational administrator or the like from the messages received from the monitoring target apparatus  1  and notify the operational administrator of the error messages. 
         [0036]    [Specific Examples of Messages] 
         [0037]    Now, specific examples of messages output by the application  11  and the like in the monitoring target apparatus  1 .  FIGS. 2 to 4  are diagrams illustrating specific examples of messages. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  depicts a specific example of message data from the monitoring target apparatus  1 . In  FIG. 2 , a content “[2013/12/31 12:15:18] jmX1234: memory shortage has occurred” is generated in the message data from the monitoring target apparatus  1 . The monitoring target apparatus  1  holds information indicating that a “[2013/12/31 12:15:18]” portion is the “date and time of occurrence”. The monitoring target apparatus  1  also holds information indicating that a “jmX” portion is “source information”, that a “1234” portion is a “message ID”, and that a “: memory shortage has occurred” portion is “detailed information”. That is, the monitoring target apparatus  1  has format information on messages output from the applications  11  or the like. 
         [0039]    Now, a specific example will be described in which the monitoring target apparatus  1  transmits a message to the monitoring apparatus  2 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a specific example of a message transmitted from the monitoring target apparatus  1  to the monitoring apparatus  2 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the message transmitted to the monitoring apparatus  2  by the monitoring target apparatus  1  has a header, message data, and a footer, and is output, for example, in a text data format. As depicted in FIG. 4 , when the monitoring target apparatus  1  outputs a message in the text data format, format information is lost from the output message. 
         [0040]    An enormous number of messages may be output from the monitoring target apparatus  1  depending on the numbers of applications, middleware applications, and the like operating in the monitoring target apparatus  1 . Thus, the monitoring target apparatus  1  typically compresses an output message using a ZIP scheme or the like before transmitting the message to the monitoring apparatus. Consequently, the monitoring target apparatus  1  enables a reduction in the capacity of the message transmitted to the monitoring apparatus  2 . However, the compression according to the ZIP scheme is based on a rule for the longest matching string for each message. Thus, the monitoring apparatus  2  having received a message fails to restore message format information from the received message (compressed message). 
         [0041]    Consequently, the operational administrator fails to perform, for example, analysis of fault information based on the format information, in the monitoring apparatus  2 . 
         [0042]    Thus, in the present embodiment, the monitoring target apparatus  1  transmits data (hereinafter also referred to as a converted message or composite data) including converted data (hereinafter also referred to as parameter information or message data) according to message format information (hereinafter also referred to simply as format), format information, and a restore program that restores a message based on the format information and the converted data. Consequently, the monitoring apparatus  2  can extract the converted data and the format information contained in the received data. The monitoring apparatus  2  can also restore the message output from the monitoring target apparatus  1 . 
       Brief Description of the First Embodiment 
       [0043]    First, the first embodiment will be described in brief.  FIGS. 5 to 8  are diagrams schematically illustrating a data creation process in the first embodiment. 
         [0044]    As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the monitoring target apparatus  1  has a data generation unit  15  that acquires a message output by the application  11  or the like. The data generation unit  15  creates data based on the acquired message and transmits the data to the monitoring apparatus  2 . That is, the monitoring target apparatus  1  in the first embodiment transmits the data into which the data generation unit  15  has converted the message output from the application  11  or the like, instead of transmitting the message to the monitoring apparatus  2  without any change. 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a specific example of data. As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the data has a header, message data (parameter information), format information, a restore program, and a footer. That is, the data in the first embodiment has format information that is information on a rule of the message and parameter information into which the message data has been converted based on the format information such that the format information and the parameter information are separate from each other. Consequently, the monitoring apparatus  2  having received the data can exclusively extract and utilize needed information from the format information and the parameter information included in the data. 
         [0046]    The data also includes the restore program. Consequently, the monitoring apparatus  2  having received the data can, for example, restore message data in the text data format based on the format information and the parameter information. 
         [0047]    Therefore, upon receiving the data from the monitoring target apparatus  1 , the monitoring apparatus  2  in the first embodiment can selectively perform restoration of the message data based on execution of the restore program or utilization of the format information and the parameter information. That is, in accordance with the operational administrator&#39;s demand, the monitoring apparatus  2  can restore the message data or perform analysis or the like utilizing a part or all of the format information and the parameter information included in the data without restoring the message data. Specific examples of the parameter information and format information will be described below. 
         [0048]    [Specific Example of Format Information] 
         [0049]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the format information. The format information illustrated in  FIG. 7  has, as items, “data identification IDs” that identifies data included in the format information and “data identification names” that are identification names of the data corresponding to the data identification IDs. The format information illustrated in  FIG. 7  has “address information” indicative of the leading position of an area where data corresponding to each data identification name is stored and “length information” indicative of the data length of data corresponding to each data identification name. Specifically, in the format information illustrated in  FIG. 7 , for information with a “data identification ID” of 1, the date and time of occurrence is set for the “data identification name”, 0 (byte) is set for the “address information”, and 20 (bytes) is set for the “length information”. In the format information illustrated in  FIG. 7 , for information with a “data identification ID” of 2, source information is set for the “data identification name”, 20 (byte) is set for the “address information”, and 5 (bytes) is set for the “length information”. In the format information illustrated in  FIG. 7 , for information with a “data identification ID” of 3, an error ID is set for the “data identification name”, 25 (byte) is set for the “address information”, and 10 (bytes) is set for the “length information”. In the format information illustrated in  FIG. 7 , for information with a “data identification ID” of 4, detailed information is set for the “data identification name”, 35 (bytes) is set for the “address information”, and 100 (bytes) is set for the “length information”. 
         [0050]    [Specific Examples of Parameter Information] 
         [0051]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a specific example of parameter information created based on the format information illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The parameter information illustrated in  FIG. 8  is created by, for example, dividing the message data contained in the message into data according to the data identification IDs included in the format information illustrated in  FIG. 7 , starting with the leading data of the message data and setting the resultant data in areas in the parameter information (in an example in  FIG. 8 , sequentially setting the data starting with the left end). Specifically, the data generation unit  15 , for example, references the format information illustrated in  FIG. 7  to acquire information set in a 20-byte area starting at the leading position of the message data, as data corresponding to the “date and time of occurrence”. As depicted in  FIG. 8 , the data generation unit  15  sets the acquired data “[2013/12/31 12:15:18]” in a leading area of the parameter information. The data generation unit  15  then references the format information illustrated in  FIG. 7  to acquire information set in a 5-byte area starting at the 20th byte of the message data, as data corresponding to the “source information”. The data generation unit  15  then sets acquired data “jmX” in the second area in the parameter information as depicted in  FIG. 8 . Similarly, the data generation unit  15  sets data corresponding to the “error ID” and the “detailed information” in the third area and the fourth area, respectively, in the parameter information. Consequently, the data generation unit  15  can create the parameter information as depicted in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0052]    That is, the monitoring target apparatus  1  in the first embodiment transmits, to the monitoring apparatus  2 , the data including the format information and the parameter information such that the format information and the parameter information are separate from each other. Consequently, the monitoring target apparatus  1 , which is a data source, and the monitoring apparatus  2 , which is a data destination, can share the format information. Thus, the monitoring apparatus  2  in the first embodiment can, for example, determine a content of the message data without the need to pre-record the format information. 
         [0053]    [Hardware Configuration of the Information Processing System] 
         [0054]    Now, a configuration of an information processing system  100  will be described.  FIG. 9  is a diagram depicting a hardware configuration of the information processing system. 
         [0055]    The monitoring target apparatus  1  has a CPU  101  that is a processor, a memory  102 , an external interface (I/O unit)  103  through which the monitoring target apparatus  1  accesses the monitoring apparatus  2 , and a storage medium  104 . These units are connected together via a bus  105 . The storage medium  104  stores, for example, in a program storage area (not depicted in the drawings) in the storage medium  104 , a program  110  that allows execution of a process of creating data (hereinafter also referred to as a data creation process or a message generation process) and the like. When the program  110  is executed, the CPU  101  loads the program  110  from the storage medium  104  into the memory  102  and cooperates with the program  110  in executing the data creation process, as depicted in  FIG. 9 . The storage medium  104  has, for example, an information storage area  130  in which information used when the data creation process is executed is stored. 
         [0056]    The monitoring apparatus  2  has a CPU  201  serving as a processor, a memory  202 , an external interface (I/O unit)  203 , and a storage medium  204 . These units are connected together via a bus  205 . The storage medium  204  stores, for example, in a program storage area (not depicted in the drawings) in the storage medium  204 , a program  210  that allows execution of a process (hereinafter also referred to as a message restoration process) of restoring message data (message data included in a message output by the application  11  or the like) from the data received from the monitoring target apparatus  1 . When the program  210  is executed, the CPU  201  loads the program  210  from the storage medium  204  into the memory  202  and cooperates with the program  210  in executing the message restoration process, as depicted in  FIG. 9 . The storage medium  204  has, for example, an information storage area  230  in which information used when the message restoration process is executed is stored. 
         [0057]    [Software Configuration of the Information Processing System] 
         [0058]    Now, a software configuration of the information processing system  100  will be described.  FIG. 10  is a functional block diagram of the monitoring target apparatus in  FIG. 9 . The CPU  101  cooperates with the program  110  in operating as a message acquisition unit  111 , a format acquisition unit  112 , a parameter creation unit  113  (hereinafter also referred to as a conversion unit  113 ), a data creation unit  114 , a data transmission unit  115 , and a transmission request reception unit  116 . In the information storage area  130 , for example, format information  131 , converted data  132  (hereinafter also referred to as parameter information  132 ), and a restore program  133  are stored. The data generation unit  15  depicted in  FIG. 5  corresponds to the message acquisition unit  111 , the format acquisition unit  112 , the parameter creation unit  113 , the data creation unit  114 , the data transmission unit  115 , and the transmission request reception unit  116 . 
         [0059]    The message acquisition unit  111 , for example, acquires a message generated when a predetermined event has occurred in the application  11  or the like installed in the monitoring target apparatus  1 . The predetermined event is, for example, a case where a process in execution has ended normally, a case where the amount of free space in the storage medium to be accessed is smaller than a threshold, or a case where the process in execution has ended abnormally. 
         [0060]    The format acquisition unit  112 , for example, acquires the format information  131  stored in the information storage area  130  when the message acquisition unit  111  acquires a message. The format information  131  includes a data identification name (hereinafter also referred to as type information) that identifies the type of data contained in a received message, address information (hereinafter also referred to as location information) that identifies the location of the data in the message, and length information on the data (hereinafter also referred to as a data length) such that the data identification name, the address information, and the length information are associated with one another, as depicted in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0061]    The format acquisition unit  112 , for example, creates and stores format information  131  in the information storage area  130  when the format information  131  corresponding to the message acquired by the message acquisition unit  111  is not stored in the information storage area  130 . In this case, the format acquisition unit  112  accesses management information on the application  11  or the like having output the message and acquires information needed to create format information  131 . In this case, information needed to create format information  131  may include, for example, layout information on the message output by the application  11  or the like. In this case, the operational administrator may store, for example, in the information storage area  130 , information on a storage location where the management information on the application  11  or the like is stored. 
         [0062]    The format acquisition unit  112  may use the acquired layout information as the format information  131 . Also in this case, the operational administrator may store, for example, in the information storage area  130 , information on a storage location where the management information on the application  11  or the like is stored. 
         [0063]    The format acquisition unit  112  may reference the information on the storage location stored in the information storage area  130  to access the management information on the application  11  or the like having output the message. 
         [0064]    The parameter creation unit  113 , for example, acquires parameter information  132  from the message acquired from the application  11  or the like. The parameter information  132  is obtained by dividing the message data contained in the received message into data corresponding to the type information included in the format information  131 . The parameter creation unit  113 , for example, stores the created parameter information  132  in the information storage area  130 . 
         [0065]    The data creation unit  114 , for example, creates data including the format information  131  acquired by the format acquisition unit  112 , the parameter information  132  created by the parameter creation unit  113 , and the restore program  133  that restores the message based on the format information  131  and the parameter information  132 . The restore program  133  may be stored in the information storage area  130  before the message acquisition unit  111  acquires the message. 
         [0066]    The data transmission unit  115 , for example, transmits data created by the data creation unit  114  to the monitoring apparatus  2 . For example, when the transmission request reception unit  116  described below receives a transmission request, the data transmission unit  115  transmits the format information  131  or the restore program  133  stored in the information storage area  130  to the monitoring apparatus  2 . 
         [0067]    The transmission request reception unit  116 , for example, receives a transmission request described below when the transmission request is transmitted from the monitoring apparatus  2 . The transmission request reception unit  116  requests the data transmission unit  115  to transmit information corresponding to the transmission request (the format information  131  or the restore program  133 ). 
         [0068]      FIG. 11  is a functional block diagram of the monitoring apparatus in  FIG. 9 . The CPU  201  cooperates with the program  210  in operating as a data reception unit  211 , a data extraction unit  212 , a text data restoration unit  213 , a restoration determination unit  214 , and a transmission request transmission unit  215 . In an information storage area  230 , for example, format information  231  (hereinafter referred to as received format information  231 ), determination information  232 , and a restore program  233  (hereinafter referred to as a received restore program  233 ) are stored. 
         [0069]    The data reception unit  211 , for example, receives data transmitted by the monitoring target apparatus  1 . 
         [0070]    The data extraction unit  212 , for example, extracts information included in the data received by the data reception unit  211 . That is, the data extraction unit  212 , for example, extracts information needed for the operational administrator to perform analysis or the like based on an input from the operational administrator. In a specific example, the data extraction unit  212  extracts only the format information  131  included in the data received from the monitoring target apparatus  1  or extracts a portion which matches a content input by the operational administrator from the parameter information  132  included in the data received from the monitoring target apparatus  1 . 
         [0071]    The text data restoration unit  213 , for example, executes the restore program  133  included in the data received from the monitoring target apparatus  1  to decompress the parameter information  132  included in the data received to from the monitoring target apparatus  1 , into a text data format. Specifically, the text data restoration unit  213 , for example, executes the restore program  133  to combine information included in the parameter information  132  in accordance with the content of the format information  131 . Thus, the text data restoration unit  213  can restore the message data contained in the message output by the application  11  or the like. 
         [0072]    For example, based on the determination information  232  that is set information on data restoration set therein, the restoration determination unit  214  determines whether to allow the data extraction unit  212  or the text data restoration unit  213  to execute processing on the data received from the monitoring target apparatus  1 . 
         [0073]    For example, when only the parameter information  132  is transmitted from the monitoring target apparatus  1 , the transmission request transmission unit  215  determines whether or not the received format information  231  and the received restore program  233  corresponding to the parameter information  132  are stored in the information storage area  230 . For example, when the received format information  231  and (or) the received restore program  233  are not stored, the transmission request transmission unit  215  transmits a transmission request for these pieces of information to the monitoring target apparatus  1 . 
       Flowchart Schematically Illustrating the First Embodiment 
       [0074]    Now, the first embodiment will be described below in brief.  FIG. 12  is a flowchart schematically illustrating the data creation process in the first embodiment. 
         [0075]    First, the monitoring target apparatus  1  (data generation unit  15 ) waits until the application  11  or the like outputs a message (S 1 , NO). When the application  11  or the like outputs a message as depicted in  FIG. 5  (S 1 , YES), the monitoring target apparatus  1  converts the output message into the parameter information  132  complying with the format information  131  (S 2 ). 
         [0076]    The parameter information  132  is created, for example, by dividing to the message data contained in the output message into data corresponding to type information included in the format information  131 . The monitoring target apparatus  1  may create the parameter information  132  in accordance with the format information  131  during a process of compressing the message output from the application  11  or the like to transmit the message to the monitoring apparatus  2 . The format information  131  and the parameter information  132  need to be able to be recognized by the monitoring apparatus  2 . Thus, the monitoring target apparatus  1  creates the format information  131  and the parameter information  132  in a format (for example, the text data format) that can be recognized by the monitoring apparatus  2 . 
         [0077]    Then, the monitoring target apparatus  1  (data generation unit  15 ) creates data including, for example, the format information  131 , the parameter information  132 , and the restore program  133  stored in the information storage area  130  (S 3 ). Moreover, the monitoring target apparatus  1  transmits the created data to the monitoring apparatus  2  (S 4 ) as depicted in  FIG. 5 . Consequently, upon receiving the data from the monitoring target apparatus  1 , the monitoring apparatus  2 , for example, can extract the needed information from the data and perform, for example, analysis of the message output by the application  11  or the like based on the extracted data. Moreover, upon receiving the data from the monitoring target apparatus  1 , the monitoring apparatus  2  can restore the message data contained in the message output by the application  11  or the like, by executing the restore program  133  contained in the data as needed. 
         [0078]    As described above, in the first embodiment, the monitoring target apparatus  1  converts the message generated in accordance with occurrence of an event into parameter information  132  (converted data  132 ) complying with the format information  131  corresponding to the message. Moreover, the monitoring target apparatus  1  transmits the format information  131 , the parameter information  132  resulting from the conversion and complying with the format information  131 , and the restore program  133  that restores the message. Consequently, the monitoring apparatus  2  can restore the message data contained in the message output from the monitoring target apparatus  1  based on the data received from the monitoring target apparatus  1 . Furthermore, the monitoring apparatus  2  can, for example, extract all or a part of the format information  131  and the parameter information  132  included in the received data. 
         [0079]    The monitoring target apparatus  1  may extract only error messages from the messages output by the applications  11  or the like to create parameter information  132  from the message data contained in each of the error messages. The monitoring target apparatus  1  may transmit only the data including the parameter information  132  created from the message data contained in the error message. This enables the monitoring target apparatus  1  to, for example, transmit, to the monitoring apparatus  2 , only the information on messages needed to be dealt with by the monitoring apparatus  2 . 
         [0080]    Moreover, the data creation unit  114  may create data such that the data includes location information enabling the locations of the format information  131 , the parameter information  132 , or the restore program  133  to be identified. Specifically, the data creation unit  114  sets location information in the leading portion of the data. As a result, the monitoring apparatus  2  can easily extract the format information  131  or the like from the received data. 
       Details of the First Embodiment 
       [0081]    Now, the details of the first embodiment will be described.  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14  are flowcharts illustrating the details of the data creation process and the message restoration process in the first embodiment.  FIGS. 15 to 17  are diagrams illustrating the details of the data creation process and the message restoration process in the first embodiment. With reference to  FIGS. 15 to 17 , the data creation process and the message restoration process in  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14  will be described in detail. 
         [0082]    [Details of the Data Creation Process] 
         [0083]    First, the data creation process executed in the monitoring target apparatus  1  will be described in detail. The message acquisition unit  111  in the monitoring target apparatus  1  waits until the application  11  or the like outputs a message (S 21 , NO). When the application  11  or the like outputs a message (S 21 , YES), the format acquisition unit  112 , for example, acquires the format information  131  corresponding to the output message (S 22 ). Specifically, the format acquisition unit  112  acquires the format information  131  corresponding to the acquired message from the information storage area  130 . Then, when the format information  131  corresponding to the acquired message is not stored in the information storage area  130 , the format acquisition unit  112  accesses the management information on the application  11  or the like having output the message to create the format information  131 . 
         [0084]    Then, the parameter creation unit  113 , for example, divides the message data contained in the message acquired by the message acquisition unit  111  into data corresponding to the type information included in the format information  131 , to create parameter information  132  (S 23 ). Subsequently, the data creation unit  114 , for example, creates data including the format information  131  created by the format acquisition unit  112 , the parameter information  132  created by the parameter creation unit  113 , and the restore program  133  (S 24 ). Then, the data transmission unit  115  transmits the created data to the monitoring apparatus  2  (S 25 ). Specifically, the data transmission unit  115 , for example, adds a header and a footer to the data including the format information  131 , the parameter information  132 , and the restore program  133  and transmits the resultant data as depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0085]    The data transmission unit  115 , for example, may set identification information indicating that data depicted in  FIG. 6  is data including the format information  131 , in a leading portion of the header contained in the data depicted in  FIG. 6 . Thus, for example, upon receiving a mixture of the data transmitted from the monitoring target apparatus  1  and the message as output from the application  11  or the like, the monitoring apparatus  2  can easily determine whether or not the received data has been received from the monitoring target apparatus  1 . 
         [0086]    [Other Specific Examples of the Format Information and the Parameter Information] 
         [0087]      FIGS. 15 to 17  are diagrams illustrating other specific examples of the format information  131  and the parameter information  132 .  FIG. 15 , like  FIG. 2 , illustrates a specific example of a case where message data is output to a display screen of the monitoring target apparatus  1 .  FIG. 16 , like  FIG. 7 , illustrates a specific example of the format information  131 , and  FIG. 17 , like  FIG. 8 , illustrates a specific example of the parameter information  132 . Differences from the format information  131  and the parameter information  132  described with reference to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  will be described below. 
         [0088]    In  FIG. 15 , a content “[1231-121518]MpAoXXX: error: 312: memory shortage has occurred &lt;USER&gt;=BBB&lt;host&gt;=SV2-1” is generated in message data from the monitoring target apparatus  1 . In this example, the monitoring target apparatus  1  holds information indicating that a “[1231-121518]” portion is the “date and time of occurrence”. The monitoring target apparatus  1  also holds information indicating that an “MpAoXXX” portion is “application information” on the application  11  or the like corresponding to the message source and that an “error” portion is the “type of the message”. The monitoring target apparatus  1  further holds information indicating that a “312” portion is an “identification ID” that is an ID identifying the message and that a “memory shortage has occurred” portion is a “content” that is information on the occurring event. Furthermore, in the example illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the monitoring target apparatus  1  holds information indicating that a “&lt;USER&gt;=BBB” portion is “USER” that identifies a managing user for the application  11  or the like corresponding to the message source. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the monitoring target apparatus  1  holds information indicating that a “&lt;host&gt;=SV2-1” portion is “HOST” that identifies a host in which the application  11  or the like corresponding to the message source operates. 
         [0089]    Therefore, under the “data identification name” in the format information  131  illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the information on the date and time of occurrence, the application, the type of the message, the identification ID, the content, and USER and HOST is set as in the case of  FIG. 7 . The description of the other pieces of information in  FIG. 16  is omitted. 
         [0090]    The parameter information  132  illustrated in  FIG. 17  is a specific example of a case where the information on the message based on the information illustrated in  FIG. 15  is set after the state of the parameter information  132  illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The parameter information  132  illustrated in  FIG. 17  is created by dividing the message data contained in the message illustrated in  FIG. 15  into data according to the type information included in the format information  131 , starting with a leading portion of the message data, as in the case of  FIG. 8 . Specifically, the parameter creation unit  113  sets, in the second column area in the parameter information  132 , data corresponding to the “date and time of occurrence”, the “application information”, the “type of the message”, the “identification ID”, the “content”, and “USER” and “HOST” set under the “data identification name” in the format information  131  illustrated in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0091]    [Details of the Message Restoration Process] 
         [0092]    With reference to  FIG. 14 , the message restoration process executed in the monitoring apparatus  2  will be described. The data reception unit  211  of the monitoring apparatus  2 , for example, waits until the data reception unit  211  receives data from the monitoring target apparatus  1  (S 31 , NO). Upon receiving data from the monitoring target apparatus  1  (S 31 , YES), the restoration determination unit  214 , for example, references the determination information  232  to determine whether or not the data extraction unit  212  is to process the received data (S 32 ). That is, the restoration determination unit  214  determines whether the data extraction unit  212  or the text data restoration unit  213  executes processing on the received data based on the determination information  232  in which the information on the data restoration is set. 
         [0093]    When the information indicating that the data extraction unit  212  is to process the data received from the monitoring target apparatus  1  is set in the determination information  232  (S 32 , YES), the data extraction unit  212 , for example, extracts information which is included in the format information  131  and the parameter information  132  included in the received data and which is designated by the operational administrator in order to perform analysis of the message and the like (S 33 ). On the other hand, when the information indicating that the data extraction unit  212  is to process the data received from the monitoring target apparatus  1  is not set in the determination information  232  (S 32 , NO), the text data restoration unit  213 , for example, restores the parameter information  132  into the text data format (S 34 ). The text data restoration unit  213 , for example, outputs the restored text data (S 35 ). 
         [0094]    That is, upon receiving data from the monitoring target apparatus  1 , the restoration determination unit  214  can selectively perform restoration of the message data based on execution of the restore program  133  or utilization of the format information  131  and the parameter information  132 . That is, the restoration determination unit  214  can, for example, allow the data extraction unit  212  to execute processing in order to restore the message data in accordance with the operational administrator&#39;s demand. Furthermore, the restoration determination unit  214  can, for example, allow the text data restoration unit  213  to execute processing in order to extract the format information  131  and the parameter information  132  included in the data received from the monitoring target apparatus  1 , without the need to restore the message data, in accordance with the operational administrator&#39;s demand. 
         [0095]    The operational administrator may change information set in the determination information  232  in accordance with a change in monitoring conditions or the like based on a user&#39;s demand, to change a method of processing the data received from the monitoring target apparatus  1 . Specifically, the monitoring apparatus  2  may change the content of the determination information  232  when the number of composite data received by the data reception unit  211  (for example, 100) is exceeded. Moreover, upon receiving the data from the monitoring target apparatus  1 , the data reception unit  211  may first check the leading portion of the received data. When no identification information is set in the leading portion of the data, the data reception unit  211  may determine that the received data is not the data transmitted from the monitoring target apparatus  1 , and continue to wait until the next data is transmitted from the monitoring target apparatus  1  (S 31 , NO). 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0096]    Now, a second embodiment will be described.  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19  are flowcharts illustrating a data creation process and a message restoration process in the second embodiment.  FIG. 20  is a diagram illustrating the data creation process and the message restoration process in the second embodiment. The data creation process and the message restoration process in  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19  will be described with reference to  FIG. 20 . Differences of  FIG. 20  from  FIG. 7  will be described. 
         [0097]    In the second embodiment, the monitoring target apparatus  1  transmits the parameter information  132  when the application  11  or the like outputs a message, unlike in the first embodiment. Upon receiving the parameter information  132 , the monitoring apparatus  2  checks whether format information used to restore the received parameter information  132  (hereinafter also referred to as received format information  231 ) and a restore program (hereinafter also referred to as a received restore program  233 ) have been received. As a result, when the received format information  231  and the received restore program  233  corresponding to the received parameter information  132  have been received, the monitoring apparatus  2  executes a process of restoring the parameter information  132  based on these pieces of information. On the other hand, when the received format information  231  and the received restore program  233  corresponding to the received parameter information  132  have not been received, the monitoring apparatus  2  requests the monitoring target apparatus  1  to transmit the format information  131  and the restore program  133  corresponding to the monitoring target apparatus  1 . 
         [0098]    That is, the monitoring target apparatus  1  in the second embodiment transmits only the parameter information  132  to the monitoring apparatus  2  instead of transmitting the data each time a message is generated. Then, when the information used to restore the received parameter information  132  has not been received, the monitoring apparatus  2  requests the monitoring target apparatus  1  to transmit the needed information. Consequently, the monitoring target apparatus  1  can reduce the amount of information transmitted to the monitoring apparatus  2 . The data creation process and the message restoration process in the second embodiment will be described in detail. 
         [0099]    [Data Creation Process] 
         [0100]    First, the message acquisition unit  111  waits until the application  11  or the like outputs a message (S 41 , NO). When a message is output (S 41 , YES), the format acquisition unit  112 , for example, acquires the format information  131  corresponding to the output message (S 42 ). The format acquisition unit  112  in the second embodiment creates format information  131  such that the format information  131  includes an “information identification ID” that is information identifying the format information  131 . The “information identification ID” may be incremented in value each time the format acquisition unit  112  creates format information  131 . The format acquisition unit  112 , for example, stores the created format information  131  in the information storage area  130 . Thus, the monitoring target apparatus  1  and the monitoring apparatus  2  can identify information to be transmitted or received based on the information indicated by the “information identification ID”. A specific example of the format information  131  in the second embodiment will be described below. 
         [0101]      FIG. 20  illustrates the format information  131  described with reference to  FIG. 7  and to which the “information identification ID” has been added as an item. In an example in  FIG. 20 , 23 is stored as the “information identification ID” for each of the data included in the format information  131 . That is, this indicates that the format information  131  illustrated in  FIG. 20  is the 23rd piece of the format information  131  created by the format acquisition unit  112 . Furthermore, the format acquisition unit  112  sets the same “information identification ID” as that for the created format information  131 , for the restore program  133  used simultaneously with the created format information  131 . 
         [0102]    Subsequently, as is the case with the first embodiment, the parameter creation unit  113 , for example, divides the message acquired by the message acquisition unit  111  into data corresponding to the type information included in the format information  131 , to create parameter information  132  (S 43 ). 
         [0103]    Then, unlike in the first embodiment, the data transmission unit  115 , for example, transmits information with the “information identification ID” set for the format information  131  and the parameter information  132  to the monitoring apparatus  2  (S 44 ). That is, in the second embodiment, when the application  11  or the like outputs a message, the monitoring target apparatus  1  transmits information with the “information identification ID” set for the format information  131  and the parameter information  132  without creating the composite data. 
         [0104]    When the transmission request reception unit  116  receives a transmission request for the format information  131  (S 45 , YES), the data transmission unit  115  transmits the format information  131  corresponding to the parameter information  132  transmitted in S 44  (S 46 ). That is, when the transmission request for the format information  131  is received from the monitoring apparatus  2 , this means that the format information  131  corresponding to the parameter information  132  transmitted in S 44  is not stored in the monitoring apparatus  2 . Thus, the data transmission unit  115  transmits the format information  131  based on the transmission request. On the other hand, when the transmission request for the format information  131  is not received from the monitoring apparatus  2  (S 45 , NO), the data transmission unit  115  does not transmit the format information  131 . In transmitting the transmission request to the monitoring target apparatus  1 , the monitoring apparatus  2  includes, in the transmission request, the “information identification ID” received from the monitoring target apparatus  1  simultaneously with the parameter information  132 . Then, upon receiving the transmission request, the monitoring target apparatus  1  can identify the format information  131  to be transmitted to the monitoring apparatus  2 . 
         [0105]    Moreover, when the transmission request reception unit  116  receives a transmission request for the restore program  133  (S 47 , YES), the data transmission unit  115  transmits the restore program  133  corresponding to the parameter information  132  transmitted in S 44  (S 48 ). That is, when the transmission request for the restore program  133  is received from the monitoring apparatus  2 , this means that the restore program  133  corresponding to the parameter information  132  transmitted in S 44  is not stored in the monitoring apparatus  2 . Thus, the data transmission unit  115  transmits the restore program  133 . On the other hand, when the transmission request for the restore program  133  is not received from the monitoring apparatus  2  (S 47 , NO), the data transmission unit  115  does not transmit the restore program  133 . In transmitting the transmission request to the monitoring target apparatus  1 , the monitoring apparatus  2  includes, in the transmission request, the “information identification ID” received from the monitoring target apparatus  1  simultaneously with the parameter information  132 . Then, upon receiving the transmission request, the monitoring target apparatus  1  can identify the restore program  133  to be transmitted to the monitoring apparatus  2 . 
         [0106]    [Message Restoration Process] 
         [0107]    Now, the message restoration process in the second embodiment will be described. First, the data reception unit  211  waits until the data reception unit  211  receives the parameter information  132  and the information indicative of the “information identification ID” from the monitoring target apparatus  1  (S 51 , NO). When the data reception unit  211  receives the parameter information  132  and the like transmitted from the monitoring target apparatus  1  (S 51 , YES), the transmission request transmission unit  215 , for example, references the received format information  231  and the received restore program  233  stored in the information storage area  230  based on the received information indicative of the “information identification ID”. That is, the transmission request transmission unit  215  searches the received format information  231  and the received restore program  233  stored in the information storage area  230  for information for which the “information identification ID” matching the received “information identification ID” is set. When the received format information  231  and the received restore program  233  corresponding to the received parameter information  132  are stored (S 52 , YES), the restoration determination unit  214  and the like execute processing for restoring the received parameter information  132  (S 55  and the like) as is the case with the first embodiment. 
         [0108]    On the other hand, when the received format information  231  and the received restore program  233  corresponding to the received parameter information  132  are not stored (S 52 , NO), the transmission request transmission unit  215 , for example, transmits a transmission request to the monitoring target apparatus  1  (S 53 ). Specifically, the transmission request transmission unit  215  transmits, to the monitoring target apparatus  1 , a transmission request for information which is included in the received format information  231  and the received restore program  233  needed to restore the received parameter information  132  and which has not been received by the monitoring apparatus  2 . Incidentally, the transmission request includes an “information identification ID” for identifying information related to the transmission request. As a result, the monitoring target apparatus  1  having received the transmission request can identify the information to be transmitted to the monitoring apparatus  2 . 
         [0109]    Then, the data reception unit  211 , for example, waits until the data reception unit  211  receives information corresponding to the transmission request (S 54 , NO). When the data reception unit  211  receives the information corresponding to the transmission request (S 54 , YES), the restoration determination unit  214  and the like execute processing for restoring the received parameter information  132  as is the case with the first embodiment (S 55  and the like). Processing from S 55  to S 58  has the same content as that of the processing from S 32  to S 35  described with reference to  FIG. 14  and will thus not be described below. 
         [0110]    That is, in the second embodiment, the monitoring target apparatus  1  transmits the parameter information  132  to the monitoring apparatus  2  when a message is generated. Then, when not having received the received format information  231  or the received restore program  233  corresponding to the received parameter information  132 , the monitoring apparatus  2  transmits a transmission request to the monitoring target apparatus  1 . Accordingly, the monitoring target apparatus  1  do not need to transmit all of the data to the monitoring apparatus  2  each time a message is output from the application  11  or the like. Thus, the monitoring target apparatus  1  enables a reduction in the amount of information transmitted to the monitoring apparatus  2 . Specifically, the monitoring target apparatus  1 , for example, enables prevention of repeated transmission of the same information (format information  131 ) to the monitoring apparatus  2  when messages are frequently output from the same application  11  or the like. Consequently, the monitoring target apparatus  1  enables efficient transmission of information to the monitoring apparatus  2 . 
         [0111]    All examples and conditional language provided herein are intended for the pedagogical purposes of aiding the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to further the art, and are not to be construed as limitations to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: h