Communication system hierarchical testing systems and methods—entity dependent automatic selection of tests

A system comprising:

• a testing function classifier configured to assign, to respective testing function groups of a plurality of testing function groups, testing functions for testing operation of entities of a communication system;
• and
• a testing function manager operatively coupled to the testing function classifier and configured to:
• associate an entity of a communication system with multiple testing function groups of the plurality of testing function groups by associating the entity with a group of testing functions for testing operation of the entity and further associating the entity with a group of testing functions for testing operation of another entity of the communication system based on an operational dependency between the entity and the other entity;
• cause a testing function in the group of testing functions for testing operation of the entity to be performed in the communication system;
• and cause a testing function in the group of testing functions for testing operation of the other entity to be performed in the communication system based on determining that the testing function for testing operation of the entity indicates an error in operation of the entity,
• at least the testing function manager being implemented using hardware,
• wherein the plurality of testing function groups comprise a testing function group having a plurality of testing function sub-groups for including testing functions that test operation of entities of respective different types.

A system comprising:

• a testing function classifier configured to assign, to respective testing function groups of a plurality of testing function groups, testing functions for testing operation of entities of a communication system;
• and
• a testing function manager operatively coupled to the testing function classifier and configured to:
• associate an entity of a communication system with multiple testing function groups of the plurality of testing function groups by associating the entity with a group of testing functions for testing operation of the entity and further associating the entity with a group of testing functions for testing operation of another entity of the communication system based on an operational dependency between the entity and the other entity;
• cause a testing function in the group of testing functions for testing operation of the entity to be performed in the communication system;
• and cause a testing function in the group of testing functions for testing operation of the other entity to be performed in the communication system based on determining that the testing function for testing operation of the entity indicates an error in operation of the entity,
• at least the testing function manager being implemented using hardware, wherein:
• the testing function manager is further configured to select at least one of:
• the testing function in the group of testing functions for testing operation of the entity based on capabilities of the entity to perform testing, and the testing function in the group of testing functions for testing operation of the other entity based on capabilities of the other entity to perform testing.

A method comprising:

• defining a plurality of testing function groups for arranging testing functions, the testing functions being for testing operation of entities of a communication system;
• defining a relative order of the plurality of testing function groups based on an order of operational dependency between the entities;
• a testing function classifier assigning the testing functions to respective testing function groups of the plurality of testing function groups;
• and
• a testing function manager, implemented using hardware, associating an entity of a communication system with multiple testing function groups of the plurality of testing function groups by associating the entity with a group of testing functions for testing operation of the entity and further associating the entity with a group of testing functions for testing operation of another entity of the communication system based on an operational dependency between the entity and the other entity,
• the method further comprising:
• causing a testing function in the group of testing functions for testing operation of the entity to be performed in the communication system;
• and
• causing a testing function in the group of testing functions for testing operation of the other entity to be performed in the communication system based on determining that the testing function for testing operation of the entity indicates an error in operation of the entity.