Processing a system search request including external data sources

摘要

A search request received at a computer of a search support system is processed by analyzing the received search request to identify request parameters and connecting to a system index of the search support system that is referenced in the request parameters. An external result provider (ERP) process is initiated that establishes communication between the search support system and a data source external to the search support system, for a virtual index referenced in the request parameters. Thus, the ERP process provides an interface between the search support system and external data sources, such as by third parties. The ERP process can operate in a streaming mode (providing real-time search results with minimal processing) and/or a reporting mode (providing results with a greater delay and processing extent) and can switch between modes. The search request results are received from the connected system indexes and the referenced virtual indexes.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
communicating, by a first device, a search request to an external data system, the search request based at least in part on a received search request; receiving, by the first device, streamed raw data obtained from raw data accessible by the external data system and that the external data system has streamed to the first device, the streamed raw data fulfills at least a portion of the search request, the first device processing the streamed raw data to create results for the received search request as the streamed raw data is received from the external system and providing the results to a second device; as the first device processes the streamed raw data, receiving, by the first device, at least a partial search result from the external data system that the external data system generated in response to receiving the search request by at least partially processing the raw data accessible to the external data system in accordance with the search request, the first device providing the second device with search results for the received search request that are based at least partially on the received at least a partial search result.