System and method for logging computer event data and physical components of a complex distributed system

A system for collecting events relating to a plurality of distributed physical systems, comprising:

• a plurality of event collection cards, each receiving events from a respective one of the plurality of distributed physical systems, and wherein each event collection card comprises:
• a time stamp clock configured to provide a time stamp when each event is received;
• an event memory configured to store the received events;
• a sync control unit configured to synchronize the time stamp clock to a received sync signal;
• and
• a collection control unit configured to time stamp the collected events according to the time stamp clock synchronized to the sync signal, and configured to store the time stamped events in the event memory,
• wherein one of the plurality of event collection cards operates as a master card and at least one other event collection card operates as a slave card;
• and wherein:
• the sync control unit of the at least one slave card is configured to synchronize the time stamp clock of the slave card to the time stamp clock of the master card.

A method of collecting events relating to distributed physical systems, comprising:

• collecting events relating to a respective one of a plurality of distributed physical systems;
• receiving a sync signal;
• synchronizing a time stamp clock to the received sync signal;
• time stamping the collected events according to the time stamp clock synchronized to the sync signal;
• storing the time-stamped events;
• sending the collected events to a host computer for processing;
• receiving events from a target processor over an event collection bus;
• sending the collected events to the host computer using a local bus;
• and
• allowing the event collection bus and the local bus to operate in parallel.

A system for collecting events relating to distributed physical systems, comprising:

• means for collecting events relating to a respective one of a plurality of distributed physical systems;
• means for receiving a sync signal;
• means for synchronizing a time stamp clock to the received sync signal;
• means for time stamping the collected events according to the time stamp clock synchronized to the sync signal;
• means for storing the time-stamped events;
• means for sending the collected events to a host computer for processing;
• means for receiving events from a target processor over an event collection bus;
• means for sending the collected events to the host computer using a local bus;
• and
• means for allowing the event collection bus and the local bus to operate in parallel.

A system for collecting events relating to a plurality of distributed physical systems, comprising:

• a first event collection card configured to receive first events from a first distributed physical system of the plurality of distributed physical systems, the first event collection card comprising:
• a first time stamp clock configured to provide a time stamp when each of the first events is received;
• a first event memory configured to store the received first events;
• a first sync control unit configured to synchronize the first time stamp clock to a received sync signal;
• and
• a first collection control unit configured to time stamp the stored first events according to the first time stamp clock synchronized to the sync signal and store the time stamped first events in the first event memory;
• and
• a second event collection card configured to receive second events from a second distributed physical system of the plurality of distributed physical systems, the second event collection card comprising:
• a second time stamp clock configured to provide a time stamp when each of the second events is received;
• a second event memory configured to store the received second events;
• a second sync control unit configured to synchronize the second time stamp clock to the received sync signal;
• and
• a second collection control unit configured to time stamp the stored second events according to the second time stamp clock synchronized to the sync signal, and configured to store the time stamped second events in the second event memory.