Software Testing Simulator Using Pseudo-Randomized Network Packets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for testing software components require re-implementation of APIs and protocols, are time-consuming and expensive, and do not realistically simulate a live production environment, as they only replay exact network packet sequences without asynchronous API access or network traffic uniqueness.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that simulate a computing component interface using pseudo-randomized responses to service requests, allowing for the capture and replay of network packet information, enabling asynchronous API access and realistic simulation of a live production environment by pseudo-randomly selecting responses from a data store of captured network requests and responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art systems replay exact network packet sequences, then network traffic can be captured and replayed, but the system does not provide uniqueness in network traffic and does not realistically simulate a live production environment
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static replay of exact packet sequences to dynamic selection of responses from multiple captured sequences. The simulator randomly selects responses from a pool of captured responses, creating variable and unique network traffic patterns that realistically simulate live production environments while maintaining protocol accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If prior art systems use capture and replay of OSI transport layer information, then network packets can be replayed, but asynchronous API access based on captured transport layer information is not permitted
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the replay process into two independent layers: transport layer packet replay maintains protocol accuracy, while application layer API responses are selected independently from captured sequences. This allows asynchronous API access to be implemented at the application layer without compromising the accuracy of transport layer protocol replay.
3Ease of manufacture
If software development teams re-implement APIs and protocols for simulators, then computing component simulation is enabled, but the process is time consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of re-implementing APIs and protocols from scratch, the system captures actual API responses and protocol exchanges from live systems and stores them in a data store. The simulator then replays these captured sequences, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual re-implementation while maintaining accurate representation of the target system's behavior.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and computer program product for testing a software component by simulating an interface to a computing component using pseudo-randomized responses to service requests. For example, the method may include receiving a service request from a software component to be tested. Responsive to receiving the service request from the software component, the method accesses a data store of service requests and responses thereto. The method determines that a matching service request is stored in the accessed data, a matching service request being a service request that matches the service request received from the software component. The method identifies a plurality of associated responses that are stored in the accessed data store, each which is stored in association with the matching service request. The method pseudo-randomly selects one of the plurality of associated responses, and sends the pseudo-randomly selected associated response to the software component for processing.