Interactive automatic-test GUI for testing devices and equipment using shell-level, CLI, and SNMP commands

#This invention relates to test software, and more particularly to a graphical-user-interface (GUI) for testing network devices using high-level networking commands.

#Electronic systems often carry critical data and thus need to be tested prior to installation and use. Networking equipment or devices such as switches, routers, bridges, etc. are constructed from integrated circuit (IC) chips and boards that are themselves tested prior to installation in a chassis of a networking device. However, the final network device also needs testing before shipment to the end user.

#Network devices can be tested by driving binary signals to device inputs, and comparing device outputs to expected outputs, much as IC's are tested. FIG. 1 shows testing of a network device using binary test vectors. A test machine includes input drivers 12 that drive binary signals onto the inputs to network device under test 10. The binary signals are read from stimuli file 16, which is composed ahead of time by a test engineer. The outputs from network device under test 10 are compared to expected outputs in expected outputs file 18 by comparator 14. When an output mismatches the expected output, comparator 14 signals a failure of network device under test 10.

#FIG. 1 shows testing of a network device using binary test vectors.

#FIG. 2 shows management of network devices installed in an operating network.

#FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a test manager that tests a network device using high-level commands inputted by a user to a test GUI.

#The present invention relates to an improvement in networking test software. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention as provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be apparent to those with skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments shown and described, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features herein disclosed.

#FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a test manager that tests a network device using high-level commands inputted by a user to a test GUI. Test manager 30 is an expert-system software program that a test engineer operates. Test manager 30 can be executed locally or remotely from the network device under test, such as on a workstation or personal computer connected to the network device under test.

#Instead of manually entering shell-level, command-line-interface (CLI), SNMP, or other high-level commands directly to the network device being tested, the test engineer inputs the high-level commands to test GUI 36. Simple Networking Management Protocol (SNMP) commands can also be entered interactively with a CLI provided by test GUI 36. These shell-level or high-level commands are assembled into test cases and then into test suites 32.