Analyzing post-mortem information on a remote computer system using a downloadable code module

A method for analyzing post-mortem information after a failure on a remote computer system that operates by downloading a code module that executes on the remote computer system, the method comprising:

• sending the code module from a debugging computer system to the remote computer system;
• allowing the remote computer system to execute the code module;
• wherein the executing code module reads the post-mortem information from the remote computer system, the post-mortem information specifying a state of the remote computer system after the failure of the remote computer system;
• allowing the executing code module to generate a result by analyzing the post-mortem information in order to determine a cause of the failure of the remote computer system;
• and
• receiving the result generated by the executing code module at the debugging computer system.

A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for analyzing post-mortem information after a failure on a remote computer system that operates by downloading a code module that executes on the remote computer system, the method comprising:

• receiving a code module sent from a debugging computer system at the remote computer system;
• executing the code module at the remote computer system;
• allowing the executing code module to read the post-mortem information from the remote computer system, the post-mortem information specifying a state of the remote computer system after the failure of the remote computer system;
• allowing the executing code module to generate a result by analyzing the post-mortem information in order to determine a cause of the failure of the remote computer system;
• and
• returning the result generated by the executing code module to the debugging computer system.

A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for analyzing post-mortem information after a failure on a remote computer system that operates by downloading a code module that executes on the remote computer system, the method comprising:

• sending the code module from a debugging computer system to the remote computer system;
• allowing the remote computer system to execute the code module;
• wherein the executing code module reads the post-mortem information from the remote computer system, the post-mortem information specifying a state of the remote computer system after the failure of the remote computer system;
• allowing the executing code module to generate a result by analyzing the post-mortem information in order to determine a cause of the failure of the remote computer system;
• and
• receiving the result generated by the executing code module at the debugging computer system.

An apparatus that analyzes post-mortem information after a failure on a remote computer system that operates by downloading a code module that executes on the remote computer system, the apparatus comprising:

• a receiving mechanism, within the remote computer system, that receives a code module sent from a debugging computer system;
• an execution mechanism, within the remote computer system, that executes the code module;
• wherein the execution mechanism is configured to,
• allow the executing code module to read the post-mortem information from the remote computer system, the post-mortem information specifying a state of the remote computer system after the failure of the remote computer system, and to
• allow the executing code module to generate a result by analyzing the post-mortem information in order to determine a cause of the failure of the remote computer system;
• and
• a returning mechanism that returns the result generated by the executing code module to the debugging computer system.

An apparatus for analyzing post-mortem information after a failure on a remote computer system that operates by downloading a code module that executes on the remote computer system, the apparatus comprising:

• a sending mechanism that sends the code module from a debugging computer system to the remote computer system;
• wherein the remote computer system executes the code module to generate a result by analyzing the post-mortem information in order to determine a cause of the failure of the remote computer system;
• wherein the executing code module reads the post-mortem information from the remote computer system, the post-mortem information specifying a state of the remote computer system after the failure of the remote computer system;
• and
• a receiving mechanism that receives the result generated by the executing code module at the debugging computer system.