Network Traffic-Based Protocol Test Case Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Generating test cases for communication protocols is challenging due to the difficulty in translating protocol specifications into test cases, especially when specifications are dynamic or customized, leading to obsolete test cases when implementations change.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for generating tests based on actual network traffic, including packet captures, to create scenarios that model multiple protocol message exchanges, allowing for the generation of mutation, load, and functional tests, which can be used across different platforms and times, even when specifications are in flux.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If test cases are generated manually or automatically from protocol specifications, then test cases can be created systematically, but the test cases quickly become obsolete when specifications are in flux or implementations add structured extensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest case relevanceVSAvoidtest case obsolescence

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of generating test cases from protocol specifications (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by capturing actual network traffic and using it to generate test cases. This ensures test cases are based on real-world implementations rather than theoretical specifications, preventing obsolescence when specifications change.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by capturing and analyzing actual network traffic before generating test cases. This preliminary capture of real-world protocol usage patterns establishes a baseline that adapts to implementation changes, keeping test cases current without requiring updates whenever specifications evolve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If protocol specifications are translated into test cases, then comprehensive test coverage can be achieved, but the translation process is difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest case accuracyVSAvoidtest case generation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by capturing actual network traffic packets and recreating them as test cases. Instead of manually translating specifications, the system copies real protocol messages from captured traffic, ensuring accuracy while eliminating the time-consuming translation process. The captured packets serve as direct templates for test case generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If test cases are generated based on static protocol specifications, then initial test coverage is achieved, but tests become irrelevant when implementations customize protocols with structured extensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest case creationVSAvoidtest case applicability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making test case generation adaptive rather than static. Instead of relying on fixed protocol specifications, the system dynamically captures actual network traffic and generates test cases that reflect current implementation states. This dynamic approach allows test cases to automatically adapt when implementations add custom extensions or modify protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8547974B1Generating communication protocol test cases based on network traffic

Publication Date: 2013.10.01 VIAVI SOLUTIONS LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A packet capture is received from actual network traffic, the traffic including a multiple protocol message exchange. A scenario may be generated based on an analysis of the received packet capture, the scenario modeling the multiple protocol message exchange. The scenario is used to generate tests, for example protocol mutation tests.