Automated Network Device Testing via Command Grammar Abstraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated testing environments for networked devices are complex and labor-intensive, particularly when dealing with diverse hardware and software configurations, leading to inaccurate results and increased development time when trying to integrate multiple test platforms across different vendors.
Innovation Solution
An automation test system that uses a hierarchical test plan structure with command grammar and abstraction markers to create device-specific commands, allowing a single test plan to be executed across multiple networked devices without modification, and includes a node database for device characteristics and a parser module to determine verdicts based on responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual test scripts are created for each vendor's hardware, then testing accuracy for specific devices is improved, but device complexity and development time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal test script framework that can execute the same test plan across multiple vendor-specific devices. The system uses vendor-agnostic test plans that are translated into device-specific commands through command grammar mappings, allowing one test script to serve multiple functions across different hardware platforms without requiring separate custom scripts for each vendor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces command grammar as an intermediary layer between the universal test plan and vendor-specific device commands. This mediator translates high-level test objectives into device-specific syntax while maintaining test logic independence, thereby reducing the complexity of managing multiple vendor-specific test scripts while preserving testing accuracy.
2Reliability
If vendor-specific test scripts are developed, then testing coverage for specific hardware features is improved, but loss of time in script adaptation and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the test system into distinct layers: universal test plans, command grammar mappings, and device-specific implementations. This segmentation allows test logic to be developed independently of vendor-specific details, enabling parallel development and reducing the time required to adapt scripts when new hardware or vendors are introduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter-based command grammar where test plans contain vendor-agnostic parameters that are automatically substituted with vendor-specific values during execution. This parameter substitution mechanism eliminates manual script adaptation time while maintaining comprehensive testing coverage for different hardware configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple test platforms are integrated, then versatility of testing across diverse devices is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal test platform that can execute the same test plan across diverse devices from multiple vendors. The system maintains a centralized command grammar repository that maps universal test commands to various vendor-specific implementations, allowing one test platform to manage multiple device types without requiring separate management systems for each vendor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a command grammar intermediary layer that sits between the universal test platform and vendor-specific devices. This mediator handles the complexity of translating universal test objectives into vendor-specific commands, thereby reducing management complexity while maintaining versatility across diverse device platforms.
4Productivity
If programmer creates test scripts with limited hardware understanding, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision and testing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces command grammar as an intermediary that bridges the gap between programmer knowledge and hardware specifics. Programmers work with high-level, vendor-agnostic test plans using standard commands, while the command grammar translation layer handles the complex vendor-specific hardware details, allowing rapid script development without sacrificing testing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables programmers to create test scripts without deep hardware expertise by providing self-service mechanisms through predefined command grammar templates and automatic translation. The system automatically handles the conversion of high-level test plans into device-specific commands, eliminating the need for programmers to manually learn and adapt to each vendor's hardware syntax.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method of automated testing and control of networked devices is provided. One or more test cases are defined in a test plan for execution against a plurality of networked devices. The test cases are created using a command defined grammar comprising verbs which characterize how commands or actions should be performed. Abstraction markers allow for device-specific characteristics to be mapped to a target device, without modification of the test cases and the test plan itself. The verbs and abstraction markers, once mapped to a target device form device-specific commands comprising actions and device-specific characteristics which are executed against the target networked device. The resulting responses are parsed against expected responses and a result or verdict is assigned. By providing command grammar and abstraction capability a common test plan and test cases can be applied across a range of diverse networked devices without require user intervention or modification.