METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TEST AUTOMATION AND DYNAMIC TEST ENVIRONMENT CONFIGURATION

• US 20090279673A1
• Filed: 05/09/2008
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Services Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: ALLIGALA, RAVIKUMAR V., HALSTEAD, RICK L., EPPS, JORDEN K., MAFFRE, SCOTT C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,515,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/1.30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/06 Testing, supervising or monitoring using simulated traffic

Abstract

A method and system of an embodiment may provide a user interface enabling automated testing of a network device. The automated testing may include specifying a network device to be tested, specifying a network technology for testing the network device, specifying a client of the network device, configuring network connectivity for the network device, and enabling execution by the client of a network device of a test action. Configuring network connectivity may include dynamically configuring a network to include the specified network technology and the specified network device.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

utilizing a user interface for automated testing of a network device wherein automated testing comprises;

specifying a network device to be tested;

specifying a network technology for testing the network device;

specifying a client of the network device;

configuring network connectivity for the network device, wherein configuring network connectivity includes dynamically configuring a network to include the specified network technology and the specified network device; and

utilizing the client of a network device for a test action.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the network device comprises at least one of:

a broadband router, a modem, a set top box, a digital video recorder, a voice over IP analog telephony adapter, a wireless access point, and an optical network terminal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the automated testing enables the testing of multiple clients and multiple network devices.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein automated testing further comprises configuring the client of a network device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein configuration of the client comprises at least one of:

imaging a client, downloading a script to a client, patching a client, upgrading a client, loading software on a client, changing a setting on a client, and executing a script on a client.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising scheduling of one or more automated tests.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein scheduling comprises managing the use of at least one of:

a network device and a network technology for a plurality of tests.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the scheduling includes at least one of cancellation of a scheduled test, prioritization of a scheduled test, viewing a scheduled test, and concurrent scheduled tests.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising handling one or more errors resulting from the test action.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing notification of at least one of a test error, a time out, a test result and test completion.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising recording one or more test results.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising reporting one or more test results.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the network technology comprises at least one of:

digital subscriber line, asymmetric digital subscriber line, symmetric digital subscriber line, fiber to the premises, cable modem broadband, leased line, integrated services digital network, dial-up, satellite, wireless networking, Internet Protocol over coaxial cable, and broadband over power lines.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the test action comprises at least one of:

a security test, a bandwidth test, a compatibility test, a performance test, and a compliance test.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing analysis on one or more test results.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the client comprises at least one of a virtual machine, a virtual platform, a virtual system, and a virtual resource.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein dynamically configuring a network comprises configuring a network connectivity device connected to a tested network element and a network technology to provide at least one of a virtual local area network, a virtual private network, and a virtual private LAN service.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring network connectivity for the network device comprises at least one of:

setting one or more parameters of a network technology, setting a service profile of a network element, enabling a network address assignment, creating an account, and setting a permission.

19. A computer readable media comprising code to perform the acts of the method of claim 1.

20. A system, comprising:

a database for storing test data;

a user interface for automated testing of a network device; and

a network element communicatively coupled to a network wherein the network element is configured to;

automate testing of a network device wherein automated testing comprises;

specifying a network device to be tested;

specifying a network technology for testing the network device;

specifying a client of the network device;

configuring network connectivity for the network device; and

utilizing the client of a network device for a test action.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the automated testing comprises the testing of multiple clients and multiple network devices.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the network element is further configured to schedule one or more automated tests.