Functional Test Script Segmentation for Server Clusters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for developing and executing functional tests in server cluster networks lack the ability to integrate descriptive documentation closely with functional test commands, making it difficult to distinguish between executable and descriptive content in script files, particularly for command-line interfaces.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a software platform with functional modules for producing and executing command files, where descriptive documentation of functional test commands is included in separate blocks within the same file, allowing for clear identification and exclusion of descriptive content during execution, along with an optional application programming interface for result verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If functional test commands are placed in script files for command-line execution, then the tests can be automated and executed, but the descriptive documentation becomes separated from the commands, making it difficult to distinguish between executable and descriptive content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of distinguishing executable content from documentationVSAvoidcomplexity of separating executable commands from descriptive documentation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The script file is segmented into distinct blocks: executable blocks containing command-line commands and descriptive blocks containing documentation. This segmentation allows the system to clearly distinguish between content that should be executed and content that provides documentation, resolving the contradiction by organizing the mixed content into separate, identifiable sections within the same file.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A functional module acts as an intermediary between the script file and the command-line interface. This module reads the script file, identifies executable blocks versus descriptive blocks, and selectively executes only the executable commands while preserving the documentation for reference. This intermediary layer solves the contradiction by mediating between the need for documentation proximity and the need for clear separation of executable from non-executable content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If descriptive documentation is integrated close to functional test commands, then it is easier to understand and maintain the tests, but existing systems cannot distinguish between executable commands and descriptive content in the same file

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloss of contextual information between commands and documentationVSAvoidreliability of executing only intended commands
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The script file is segmented into distinct blocks: executable blocks containing command-line commands and descriptive blocks containing documentation. This segmentation allows the system to clearly distinguish between content that should be executed and content that provides documentation, resolving the contradiction by organizing the mixed content into separate, identifiable sections within the same file.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A functional module acts as an intermediary between the script file and the command-line interface. This module reads the script file, identifies executable blocks versus descriptive blocks, and selectively executes only the executable commands while preserving the documentation for reference. This intermediary layer solves the contradiction by mediating between the need for documentation proximity and the need for clear separation of executable from non-executable content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If command-line interfaces are used for functional tests, then the tests can be executed through successive commands, but the tests become difficult to develop and document

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproductivity of test executionVSAvoidease of developing and documenting tests
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The functional module provides self-service by automatically parsing the script file, identifying executable blocks versus descriptive blocks, and executing only the appropriate commands. This eliminates the need for manual interpretation of mixed content, allowing users to focus on developing and documenting tests without worrying about the complexity of separating executable from non-executable content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A functional module acts as an intermediary between the script file and the command-line interface. This module reads the script file, identifies executable blocks versus descriptive blocks, and selectively executes only the executable commands while preserving the documentation for reference. This intermediary layer solves the contradiction by mediating between the need for documentation proximity and the need for clear separation of executable from non-executable content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3729273B1System and method for formulating and executing fonctional tests for cluster de servers
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 BULL SA
  • EP3729273B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3729273B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3729273B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This system (10) for formulating and executing functional tests pertaining to equipment items of a clustered network of servers comprises a software platform (16) with functional module (18) for formulating a file (24) of commands of functional tests for an on-line command interface (22) and an associated interface (Ul18) dedicated to the inputting of these commands of functional tests in an executable block (26) of the command file. The software platform (16) comprises another functional module (20) designed to activate the on-line command interface (22) and to execute therein the executable block (26) of the command file. The interface (Ul18) associated with the functional module (18) for formulating the command file (24) is furthermore dedicated to the inputting of descriptors of the commands of functional tests in a descriptive block (28) of the command file and to the identification of the descriptive block (28) as different from the executable block (26) in the command file. The functional module (20) for executing the command file (24) is designed so as not to execute the descriptive block (28) of the command file in the on-line command interface (22).