Optimal length test sequence generation using distinguishing sequences

The optimization of the length of test sequences for finite state machine based protocol conformance testing is studied. The study focuses on test generation methods, called D-methods, that utilize distinguishing sequences in the construction of test segments. The extent of the optimization of the length of a test sequence is investigated with respect to two cases. The first case establishes the lower bound for the length of test sequences generated by any D-method that overlaps test segments. The second case establishes the lower bound for the length of test sequences generated by any D-method that does not overlap test segments. It is observed that the reduction in the length of test sequences due to overlapping is significant. An efficient algorithm for the generation of test sequences is proposed. This algorithm utilizes a distinguishing sequence and overlaps test segments. Sufficiency conditions are given both for finding a minimum- length test sequence in polynomial time and for constructing the optimal length test sequences by this algorithm