A test sequence selection method for protocol testing

A method for automated selection of test sequences from a protocol specification given in Estelle for the purpose of testing both control and data flow aspects of a protocol implementation is discussed. First, a flowgraph modeling the flow of both control and data expressed in the given specification is constructed. In the flowgraph, definitions and uses of each context variable, as well as each input and output interaction parameter employed in the specification, are identified. Based on this information, associations between each output and those inputs that influence the output are established. Test sequences are selected to cover each such association at least once. The resulting test sequences are shown to provide the capability of checking whether a protocol implementation under test establishes the desired flow of both control and data expressed in the protocol specification. The proposed method is illustrated by using the class 0 transport protocol as an example