PRELIMINARY CLASSIFICATION OF EVENTS TO FACILITATE CAUSE-BASED ANALYSIS

The present invention provides methods and systems for performing preliminary cause-based classification of events in a computer or networked computer system. Methods are provided in which, based on an event message, cause-based preliminary classification of an associated event is performed. The result of the preliminary classification is used to facilitate subsequent cause-based analysis, such as root cause analysis, relating to the event. Methods are provided in which preliminary classification is performed using a database including a catalog associating event messages with appropriate preliminary classifications of events associated with the event messages.