Test Configuration Resource Manager for Network Protocol Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing packet switched networks lack an efficient and comprehensive approach to define and execute test configurations, particularly in generating and analyzing test traffic across multiple layers of network protocols, which hinders effective performance measurement and device evaluation.
Innovation Solution
A network testing system that includes a test administrator and port units capable of generating and analyzing test traffic, with the ability to define test configurations that specify port attributes, protocol suites, and traffic patterns, allowing for simulation of various network scenarios and performance analysis across different layers of network protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If comprehensive test configurations are defined to cover multiple network protocol layers, then measurement precision and testing thoroughness are improved, but device complexity and configuration management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The test configuration is divided into separate template files, each representing a specific network protocol layer (Physical Layer, Data Link Layer, Network Layer, Transport Layer, Application Layer). This segmentation allows comprehensive testing to be achieved through modular composition rather than monolithic configuration, reducing management complexity while maintaining thoroughness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs universal template files that can be applied across multiple ports and network devices. These templates serve as multi-functional building blocks that can be combined in various configurations, enabling comprehensive protocol testing without requiring separate complex configurations for each scenario.
2Productivity
If multiple port units are used to generate and analyze test traffic simultaneously, then productivity and testing efficiency are improved, but device complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple port units are merged into a unified testing system where each port unit operates independently but coordinates through a common configuration management framework. The templates system provides a unified approach that simplifies coordination between multiple ports, enabling parallel testing without proportional increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Test configurations are prepared in advance using template files before actual testing begins. This preliminary configuration setup eliminates the need for complex real-time coordination during testing, as all port units have pre-defined roles and parameters that simplify their operation and interaction during parallel testing.
3Measurement precision
If test configurations specify detailed port attributes and protocol parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and configuration creation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Detailed port attributes and protocol parameters are pre-defined in template files before testing. This preliminary specification of accurate parameters eliminates the need for operators to manually configure complex details during testing, maintaining measurement precision while significantly improving ease of operation through template-based configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of manually creating detailed configurations each time, operators copy and adapt from pre-validated template files. This copying approach preserves the measurement precision of detailed parameter specifications while dramatically simplifying configuration creation, as templates serve as reusable blueprints that eliminate repetitive manual configuration work.
Data Source
AI summary
A test configuration resource manager and a method of managing test configuration resources in a network test system. A computer readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed, cause a computing device to receive a user input identifying a portion of a first test configuration, store the identified portion of the first test configuration as a test configuration resource in a library of test configuration resources, receive a user input identifying a stored test configuration resource, retrieve the identified stored test configuration resource, and incorporate the retrieved test configuration resource into a second test configuration. The library of test configuration resources may include one or more of port resources, protocol resources, and traffic resources.