Automated data collection and analysis

A method for automated data collection from a network device and data analysis, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a request with information about the network device;
• constructing a command set, wherein the command set is a set of executable commands that indicate collection of data from the network device and zero or more other network devices;
• sending a link referencing the command set to a computer associated with the network device;
• wherein at the computer associated with the network device:
• the command set that is referenced in the link is downloaded based on following the link;
• a command runner module executes the downloaded command set;
• a set of results is received from the network device;
• and
• a modified result set is created by removing one or more confidential data elements from the set of results;
• receiving the modified result set;
• providing the modified result set to a provider server that comprises an analysis engine;
• receiving analysis results from the analysis engine, wherein the analysis results are based at least in part on the modified result set;
• and
• determining a set of solutions based on the analysis results.

An apparatus for automated data collection and analysis, comprising:

• means for receiving a request with information about a device, wherein the device is a network element configured for receiving packets and transmitting the packets in a packet-switched network;
• means for constructing a command set, wherein the command set is a set of executable commands that indicate collection of data from the device and zero or more other devices;
• means for sending a link referencing the command set to a computer associated with the device;
• wherein at the computer associated with the device:
• the command set that is referenced in the link is downloaded based on following the link;
• a command runner module executes the downloaded command set;
• a set of results is received from the device;
• and
• a modified result set is created by removing one or more confidential data elements from the set of results;
• means for receiving the modified result set;
• means for providing the modified result set to a provider server that comprises an analysis engine;
• means for receiving analysis results from the analysis engine, wherein the analysis results are based at least in part on the modified result set;
• and
• means for determining a set of solutions based on the analysis results.