Network Control System Testing via Interface Emulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network control systems for telecommunication networks face challenges in efficiently automating alarm monitoring and control, leading to inefficiencies and potential human errors.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and apparatus for testing a network control system, which involves interacting with the system over a test interface to emulate a control interface, monitoring commands and actions, and evaluating the system's operation based on responses and next actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated alarm monitoring and control is implemented in network control systems, then productivity and reduction of manual work are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of implementation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a test system as an intermediary component that mediates between the network control system and the telecommunication network. This test system includes a control interface emulator that acts as a bridge, allowing automated control commands to be tested and validated before being executed on actual network devices, thereby managing the complexity of automation implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the control interface through the control interface emulator. This emulator replicates the behavior and responses of the actual control interface, allowing the network control system to interact with a simulated environment during testing. This copying approach enables comprehensive automation testing without requiring access to live network infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If automated control commands are sent to network devices, then manual work is reduced, but risk of errors and need for testing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary testing of control commands through the test system before actual execution on network devices. The control interface emulator allows the network control system to send test commands and receive simulated responses in advance, validating the automation logic and identifying potential errors before they affect real network operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the control interface emulator provides simulated responses to control commands, allowing the network control system to verify the correctness of its automated decisions. This feedback loop enables validation of command sequences and ensures reliability before deployment to production environments.
3Reliability
If comprehensive testing of network control system is performed, then reliability is improved, but time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual copies and emulators to create simplified test environments that replicate production conditions without requiring actual network infrastructure. This allows comprehensive automation testing to be performed rapidly on simulated data and scenarios, significantly reducing testing time while maintaining reliability validation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer implemented method for providing a test system for testing a network control system configured to perform automated alarm monitoring and control of a telecommunication network. The method is performed by interacting (301) with the network control system over a first interface of the test system, wherein the first interface is configured to emulate operation of a control interface of the telecommunication network; monitoring (305) over the first interface, whether a command associated with a network device of the telecommunication network is received from the network control system; based on the received command, providing (307), over the first interface, to the network control system, one or more responses; monitoring (308) one or more next actions of the network control system; and evaluating (309) operation of the network control system based on the received command or lack of received command and/or based on the one or more next actions or lack of next actions.