US Patent 8041683 Methods and apparatus for locating network logs

A log collection utility (LCU) operable in a storage area network (SAN) to identify the various types of log files generated in the SAN computes the location of each of the log files, and collects the log files for consolidation and analysis in a common repository. The LCU periodically collects and/or processes the log files by enumerating the location of each of the log files in a log file designator, and generates a script operable for identifying each of the log files sought. A resulting task definition file lists each of the log files identified. The log collection utility therefore finds log files generated by dissimilar applications and nodes in the SAN via a log type definition that enumerates each of the log files in a manner that is agnostic to operating systems, platforms, and directory structures around which the log files are written and stored.