Abstract: Automated multiple step tasks are executed on a computing device to analyze a computer system. A step engine performs a complex task such as troubleshooting, performance analysis, or disaster recovery as defined by an input file. The step engine parses the input file into individual steps and dispatches actions of the steps to another device for execution. The device returns a file with the results of the action. The step engine progresses through the list of steps and generates a log file representative of the actions taken and data collected during performance of the task.

Abstract: A flexible, extensible, uniform, and efficient framework for retrieving and analyzing data from a number of different data sources is disclosed. Instructions for retrieving and analyzing data are provided in a configuration file that is defined in a common format irrespective of the different data sources. The configuration file is submitted to a dispatcher, which uses the information therein to dispatch a number of data source collectors. Each such data source collector is unique to a corresponding data source and is able to formulate an efficient method for retrieving the necessary data from its corresponding data source. An analyzer then analyzes the retrieved data according to the instructions in the configuration file.

Abstract: Automated multiple step tasks are executed on a computing device to analyze a computer system. A step engine performs a complex task such as troubleshooting, performance analysis, or disaster recovery as defined by an input file. The step engine parses the input file into individual steps and dispatches actions of the steps to another device for execution. The device returns a file with the results of the action. The step engine progresses through the list of steps and generates a log file representative of the actions taken and data collected during performance of the task.

Abstract: A flexible, extensible, uniform, and efficient framework for retrieving and analyzing data from a number of different data sources is disclosed. Instructions for retrieving and analyzing data are provided in a configuration file that is defined in a common format irrespective of the different data sources. The configuration file is submitted to a dispatcher, which uses the information therein to dispatch a number of data source collectors. Each such data source collector is unique to a corresponding data source and is able to formulate an efficient method for retrieving the necessary data from its corresponding data source. An analyzer then analyzes the retrieved data according to the instructions in the configuration file.