System and program product for detecting an operational risk of a node

Abstract

Under the present invention, the performances of a plurality of similarly configured nodes are monitored and compared. If one of the nodes exhibits a performance that varies from the performances of the other nodes by more than a current tolerance, an operational risk is detected. If detected, an alert can be generated and one or more corrective actions implemented to address the operational risk.

1 . A system for detecting an operational risk of a node, comprising:
 an input system for receiving a monitored performance for each of a plurality of nodes that are configured to perform similarly with respect to a set of operational aspects, wherein the monitored performance of each individual node is determined by measuring a performance value of at least one of the set of operational aspects;   a comparison system for comparing the monitored performance of each of the plurality of nodes with the monitored performance of a different node of the plurality of nodes, wherein the comparing is between two individual nodes; and   a detection system for detecting an operational risk of one of the plurality of similarly configured nodes, wherein the operational risk is detected if the monitored performance of the one node varies from the monitored performances of a different node of the plurality of nodes by more than a current tolerance, wherein the current tolerance is defined as one selected from a group consisting of: a statically pre-defined tolerance and dynamically variable tolerance.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an alert system for generating an alert if the operation risk is detected. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a corrective action system for implementing a corrective action if the operational risk is detected. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nodes comprises a plurality of servers. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nodes are identically configured. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the current tolerance is based on at least one of a set of rules, and a performance history. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of similarly configured nodes comprises:
 a monitoring system for monitoring a performance of the node by measuring a set of performance values corresponding to a set of operational aspects;   a reporting system for generating an operational report, wherein the operational report includes the measured set of performance values and an identifier corresponding to the node; and   an output system for communicating the operational report to the input system.   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the operational report is communicated at predetermined time intervals. 
   
   
       9 . A program product stored on a recordable medium for detecting an operational risk of a node, which when executed comprises:
 program code for receiving a monitored performance for each of a plurality of nodes that are configured to perform similarly with respect to a set of operational aspects, wherein the monitored performance of each individual node is determined by measuring a performance value of at least one of the set of operational aspects;   program code for comparing the monitored performance of each of the plurality of nodes with the monitored performance of a different node of the plurality of nodes, wherein the comparing is on a node-to-node basis between two individual nodes; and   program code for detecting an operational risk of one of the plurality of similarly configured nodes, wherein the operational risk is detected if the monitored performance of the one node varies from the monitored performances of a different node of the plurality of nodes by more than a current tolerance, wherein the current tolerance is defined as one selected from a group consisting of: a statically pre-defined tolerance and dynamically variable tolerance.   
   
   
       10 . The program product of  claim 9 , further comprising program code for generating an alert if the operation risk is detected. 
   
   
       11 . The program product of  claim 9 , further comprising program code for implementing a corrective action if the operational risk is detected. 
   
   
       12 . The program product of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of nodes comprises a plurality of servers. 
   
   
       13 . The program product of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of nodes are identically configured. 
   
   
       14 . The program product of  claim 9 , wherein the current tolerance is based on at least one of a set of rules, and performance history. 
   
   
       15 . The program product of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of similarly configured nodes comprises:
 program code for monitoring a performance of the node by measuring a set of performance values corresponding to a set of operational aspects;   program code for generating an operational report, wherein the operational report includes the measured set of performance values and an identifier corresponding to the node; and   program code for communicating the operational report to the input system.   
   
   
       16 . The program product of  claim 15 , wherein the operational report is communicated at predetermined time intervals.