US Patent 7856575 Collaborative troubleshooting computer systems using fault tree analysis

Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for troubleshooting of computer systems using a fault tree analysis. In one embodiment, data parameters describing a status of a system may be monitored to determine the existence of a fault. In the event of a fault, fault tree analysis metadata may be evaluated to attempt to determine a root cause of the fault. If a root cause can be automatically determined, it may be presented to a user in a troubleshooting console, or may be used to trigger an automated corrective action. Alternatively, if a root cause cannot be automatically determined, the user may be presented with additional fault tree analysis metadata and any relevant data parameters in the troubleshooting console, so that the user may determine the root cause of the fault event.