Portable Network Emulator for Online Game Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing online computer games under network streaming conditions require expensive and non-portable enterprise IT solutions, making it difficult to replicate test conditions and optimize game performance across varying network conditions.
Innovation Solution
A portable network emulator that provides emulation capabilities for network traffic shaping and server blocking, allowing game developers to test online games in a cost-effective and portable manner without the need for a large-scale network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If enterprise IT solutions are used for network testing, then testing capability and reliability are improved, but portability and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential network emulation functionality from complex enterprise IT solutions and concentrates it into a portable device. The network emulator isolates the core testing capabilities (traffic shaping, packet injection, network condition simulation) from the bulky enterprise infrastructure, enabling portable testing while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable network emulator creates a simplified copy of enterprise network testing capabilities. It replicates essential functions like bandwidth throttling, packet loss simulation, and latency introduction without requiring the full enterprise network infrastructure, thus achieving portability while preserving testing reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If actual large scale network is used for testing, then real network conditions are simulated, but repeatability and control are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The network emulator allows testers to pre-configure specific network conditions (bandwidth, latency, packet loss rates) before testing begins. This preliminary setup ensures that identical network conditions can be reproduced across multiple test runs, guaranteeing repeatability while maintaining realistic network simulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device dynamically adjusts network parameters during testing based on predefined test scenarios. It can switch between different network conditions (e.g., from optimal to degraded connectivity) in a controlled manner, enabling both realistic simulation and repeatable testing by following standardized test sequences.
3Measurement precision
If enterprise grade equipment is used, then testing accuracy is improved, but cost and accessibility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive enterprise-grade network testing equipment with a cost-effective portable emulator. While enterprise equipment offers high precision, the portable device provides sufficient accuracy for game testing at a fraction of the cost, making testing accessible to more developers without requiring significant investment.
Solution Approach 2:
The network emulator achieves accurate testing by precisely controlling key network parameters (bandwidth, latency, packet loss) through software-based regulation rather than hardware complexity. This approach maintains testing accuracy while dramatically reducing equipment cost and increasing accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for testing execution of a computer game by the game developer under one or more emulated network conditions provided by a portable network emulator that can be connected to the game developer system and that can receive various emulated network settings to be imposed upon the system during test execution of the computer game.