System and method for cluster debugging

A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising a first plurality of machine-readable instructions which when executed by one or more processors associated with one or more computing systems are adapted to cause the one or more processors to perform a method comprising:

• detecting debug events occurring in one or more first virtual machines;
• storing debug records, each of the debug records including information associated with a respective debug event selected from the debug events and a timestamp associated with the respective debug event;
• merging the debug records based on information associated with each timestamp;
• starting one or more second virtual machines, each of the one or more second virtual machines emulating a selected one of the one or more first virtual machines;
• synchronizing the one or more second virtual machines;
• retrieving the merged debug records;
• and
• playing the merged debug records back in chronological order on the one or more second virtual machines.

A system for cluster debugging, the system comprising:

• a cluster comprising a plurality of nodes coupled together using a network;
• a database coupled to the network;
• and
• a debugging workstation coupled to the network;
• wherein:
• each of the plurality of nodes executes one or more first virtual machines and a debugging database extension (DDE);
• debug events occur in each of the one or more first virtual machines are detected;
• the database stores debug records;
• each of the debug records includes information associated with a respective debug event selected from the debug events and a timestamp associated with the respective debug event;
• the stored debug records are merged based on information associated with each timestamp;
• the debugging workstation executes a playback module and one or more second virtual machines;
• each of the one or more second virtual machines emulates a selected one of the one or more first virtual machines;
• the one or more second virtual machines are synchronized;
• and
• the playback module retrieves the merged debug records and plays the merged debug records back in chronological order on the one or more second virtual machines.