Routing Protocol Conformance Testing

Routing Protocol Conformance Testing is very important to the correctness and interoperability of routing protocol, which tests the conformance level between a routing protocol implementation and its relevant specification as well as the satisfaction level of the conformance request. Conformance testing mainly consists of formalization, test sequence generation, test sequence execution and result analysis. Test sequence being the core data of conformance testing, formalization is fundamental to test sequence generation because it assures the correct understanding for specification and the maximum coverage of test sequence for specification. Based on the formalization, test sequence generation generates sequences that cover as many testing paths as possible, being relative short at the same time. Different test sequences make different output sequences. Testing system constructs the hardware and software environment for testing, converts the test sequences to the executable test cases, supports the run-time environment for test cases, tracks the test result and gives an analysis report.This paper discusses the concept, principle and architecture of conformance testing, the necessity and some methods of formalization, description method of test sequences and the methods of test sequence generation, and the principle, structure and procedure of testing system in detail. Furthermore, it covers the whole procedure of how to apply all above concepts to an actual Internet protocol– OSPF. We do Formal Description Technique on OSPF. Test sequence result from UIO based on formal description and the way of routing covering. Through C++ code translated from TTCN and TETWare testing environment and supporting program, we get the executable testing sample. We test on OSPF of one Cisco router in the artificial testing environment. Combined with the characters of OSPF, we propose a hierarchical testing method for OSPF, which is not only weaken the disadvantage brought by the discordent of the testing but also adjust testing sample quickly to realize the actual testing if facing the other reality of the same protocol. That is good for the independence of the testing sample and the analysis of the result.