Test Proxy Intercepting Client Requests for Web Service Failure Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack an efficient method to test client applications and web services for various failure scenarios without modifying either the client application or the web service, and existing solutions are not capable of inducing repeatable and controlled failures.
Innovation Solution
A test proxy is positioned between client applications and web services to intercept and alter client requests and responses, allowing for the simulation of failure scenarios by matching client requests against a rule set that triggers specific actions, such as returning errors or modifying responses, without requiring modifications to the client or web service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a test proxy is introduced between client applications and web services to enable failure scenario testing, then testing capability and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A test proxy is introduced as an intermediary component positioned between client applications and web services. The proxy intercepts client requests, matches them against a rule set defining failure scenarios, and returns modified responses without requiring changes to the client or web service infrastructure. This mediator approach enables comprehensive failure testing while preserving the integrity of existing systems.
2Measurement precision
If modifications are made to client applications or web services to enable failure testing, then testing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The test proxy serves as an external intermediary that provides precise failure scenario testing without requiring any modifications to client applications or web services. By positioning the testing capability in the proxy layer, the solution achieves high testing precision while maintaining ease of deployment across different systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing functionality is segmented into a separate test proxy component that operates independently from the client applications and web services. This segmentation allows the testing mechanism to be deployed and configured separately, enabling precise failure testing without complicating the deployment of the core application systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If failure scenarios are induced without test control, then testing comprehensiveness is improved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The test proxy employs dynamic rule sets that can be configured to define specific failure scenarios with controlled frequency and conditions. The system can adaptively select which failure scenarios to induce based on matching client requests against the rule set, ensuring both comprehensive testing coverage and repeatable, controlled execution of failure scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The test proxy implements feedback mechanisms through the rule set that track and control the induction of failure scenarios. By monitoring client requests and applying rules that determine when and how failures should be induced, the system achieves comprehensive testing while maintaining reliability and repeatability through controlled feedback loops.
Data Source
AI summary
A client request originating from a client device and destined for a server via a network is intercepted. The server is configured to perform a service in response to the client request. A determination is made of whether the request action and the request resource of the client request matches a pattern action and a pattern resource of a pattern in a rule. Based on a determination there is a match, a determination is made of whether a threshold trigger condition in the rule is satisfied based. In response to the threshold trigger condition being satisfied, a determination is made of whether a reset condition in the rule is not satisfied. In response to the reset condition not being satisfied, at least one rule action associated with the pattern is performed, wherein performing the at least one rule action comprises returning an errored response back to the client device.