Automated Process Network Testing Using Intent-Based Traffic Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing industrial networks, such as process automation networks, require extensive hardware setup and result in low test coverage and high economic costs, as they rely on real hardware and end-to-end testing, which is not feasible for full-scale implementation, especially in dynamic environments like edge/cloud data collection or voice/video communication.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for automatically testing the topology and configuration of process automation networks using communication intents to configure traffic generators and analyzers, allowing for automated test case generation and execution, thereby reducing the need for physical hardware and enhancing test coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If real hardware and end-to-end testing are used, then testing fidelity is high, but economic costs and hardware requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of network devices, topologies, and traffic patterns to replace physical hardware in testing scenarios. Virtual network devices simulate the behavior of real automation devices, while generated traffic replicates actual process communication patterns, enabling comprehensive testing without requiring complete physical hardware setups.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system is designed to handle multiple testing scenarios and network types through a unified virtualized platform. The same infrastructure can test different network topologies, device types, and traffic patterns by loading appropriate virtual configurations, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware setups for each testing scenario.
2Reliability
If complete hardware setup is implemented for full test coverage, then test coverage improves, but economic feasibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Virtual network devices and generated traffic create complete test scenarios without requiring physical hardware for every component. The system can instantiate multiple virtual devices and traffic sources software-defined, achieving comprehensive test coverage at minimal hardware cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts traffic parameters such as data rates, packet sizes, and traffic patterns to match real-world conditions. By parameterizing test scenarios, the system achieves high test coverage through software configuration rather than hardware proliferation.
3Measurement precision
If manual traffic generation is used to represent specific customer projects, then test accuracy improves, but manual effort and configuration time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates traffic patterns by analyzing captured network traffic or configuration data. Instead of requiring manual configuration for each test scenario, the system self-configures traffic generators to replicate observed communication patterns, significantly reducing setup time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary traffic capture and analysis during normal network operation to build templates for future testing. These pre-captured traffic patterns are stored and automatically reused in subsequent tests, eliminating the need for repeated manual configuration while preserving accurate representations of customer-specific communication patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method for creating a test setup for automatically testing a topology and/or configuration of a process automation network includes communicating intents containing a definition of communication connections between communication endpoints and connection specifications between the communication endpoints are received. Topology information of the network to be tested is received and analyzed. Test cases for each of the at least one communication intents are generated by generating a configuration for at least one traffic generator and a configuration for at least one traffic analyzer using the selected communication intents and the topology information. The at least one test case is deployed to test facilities on which test functions are to be run using the traffic generator and traffic analyzer, and the test functions are configured. The process automation network is configured to receive data from traffic generator and provide data to the traffic analyzer.