Data storage system for analysis of data across heterogeneous information management systems

Abstract

Systems and methods for generating customized reports from data storage databases and other information management system databases. The methods include normalizing queried information from different types of information management system databases to enable system-wide report generation. Other implementations are disclosed.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving a first instruction to generate a first query for a first database having a first database type;   receiving a second instruction to generate a second query for a second database having a second database type;   determining the first database type based on network address information for the first database;   determining the second database type based on network address information for the second database;   receiving a first set of results from the first database based on the first query, wherein the first set of results have a first format;   receiving a second set of results from the second database based on the second query, wherein the second set of results have a second format;   normalizing the first set of results into a third format based on the determined first database type to obtain a third set of results;   normalizing the second set of results into the third format based on the determined second database type to obtain a fourth set of results;   merging the third set of results and the fourth set of results into an in-memory database, wherein the third set of results and the fourth set of results comprise content of the in-memory database;   generating a graphical report based on the content of the in-memory database; and   causing a display of the generated graphical report.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second database type is different from the first database type. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating the first query based on the first database type;   querying the first database using the first query;   generating the second query based on the second database type; and   querying the second database using the second query.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a selection of a report type from a plurality of report types; and   wherein generating the graphical report is further based on the selected report type.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second format comprises a non-table object, and   normalizing the second set of results into the third format comprises converting the non-table object into a database table.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the in-memory database resides in non-volatile computer data storage. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first database type is selected from one of a relational database, hierarchical database, network database, document-oriented database, and an object-relational database. 
     
     
         8 . A system comprising:
 a computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions stored thereon; and   one or more processors that, having executed the computer-executable instructions, configure a system to perform a plurality of operations comprising:
 receiving a first instruction to generate a first query for a first database having a first database type; 
 receiving a second instruction to generate a second query for a second database having a second database type; 
 determining the first database type based on network address information for the first database; 
 determining the second database type based on network address information for the second database; 
 receiving a first set of results from the first database based on the first query, wherein the first set of results have a first format; 
 receiving a second set of results from the second database based on the second query, wherein the second set of results have a second format; 
 normalizing the first set of results into a third format based on the determined first database type to obtain a third set of results; 
 normalizing the second set of results into the third format based on the determined second database type to obtain a fourth set of results; 
 merging the third set of results and the fourth set of results into an in-memory database, wherein the third set of results and the fourth set of results comprise content of the in-memory database; 
 generating a graphical report based on the content of the in-memory database; and 
 causing a display of the generated graphical report. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the second database type is different from the first database type. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of operations further comprises:
 generating the first query based on the first database type;   querying the first database using the first query;   generating the second query based on the second database type; and   querying the second database using the second query.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of operations further comprises:
 receiving a selection of a report type from a plurality of report types; and   wherein generating the graphical report is further based on the selected report type.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the second format comprises a non-table object, and   normalizing the second set of results into the third format comprises converting the non-table object into a database table.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the in-memory database resides in non-volatile computer data storage. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first database type is selected from one of a relational database, hierarchical database, network database, document-oriented database, and an object-relational database. 
     
     
         15 . A computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, configures a system to perform a plurality of operations comprising:
 receiving a first instruction to generate a first query for a first database having a first database type;   receiving a second instruction to generate a second query for a second database having a second database type;   determining the first database type based on network address information for the first database;   determining the second database type based on network address information for the second database;   receiving a first set of results from the first database based on the first query, wherein the first set of results have a first format;   receiving a second set of results from the second database based on the second query, wherein the second set of results have a second format;   normalizing the first set of results into a third format based on the determined first database type to obtain a third set of results;   normalizing the second set of results into the third format based on the determined second database type to obtain a fourth set of results;   merging the third set of results and the fourth set of results into an in-memory database, wherein the third set of results and the fourth set of results comprise content of the in-memory database;   generating a graphical report based on the content of the in-memory database; and   causing a display of the generated graphical report.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the second database type is different from the first database type. 
     
     
         17 . The computer-readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of operations further comprises:
 generating the first query based on the first database type;   querying the first database using the first query;   generating the second query based on the second database type; and   querying the second database using the second query.   
     
     
         18 . The computer-readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of operations further comprises:
 receiving a selection of a report type from a plurality of report types; and   wherein generating the graphical report is further based on the selected report type.   
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable media of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the second format comprises a non-table object, and   normalizing the second set of results into the third format comprises converting the non-table object into a database table.   
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the in-memory database resides in non-volatile computer data storage.