Methods, systems and computer program products for test scenario based communications network performance testing
First Claim
1. A method for testing the performance of a communications network including a plurality of endpoint nodes comprising the steps of:
- adding a console node to the network;
defining a test scenario to simulate communications traffic between the endpoint nodes to be tested including selecting a plurality of endpoint nodes for the test scenario and defining endpoint information including an endpoint node specific test protocol for each of the selected endpoint nodes;
communicating the endpoint information over the network from the console node to the selected endpoint nodes;
initiating execution of the endpoint node specific test protocols on the selected endpoint nodes from the console node; and
,monitoring the performance of the network while the endpoint node specific test protocols are executed to obtain performance data.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Communications network performance is tested utilizing a test scenario simulating actual communications traffic on the network to be tested. A console node is provided on the network for establishing the test scenario and assigning the test scenario to endpoint nodes on the network to be tested. Each endpoint node is assigned an endpoint node specific test protocol. Execution of the test protocols by the endpoint nodes is initiated by the console node. Performance data such as throughput, transaction rate and response time may be monitored at selected ones of the endpoint nodes and reported to the console node either as it is generated or after completion of the test. The test scenario may be terminated when all endpoint node specific test protocols have completed execution or when any one endpoint completes execution of its test protocol. Multiple network protocols may be utilized within a single test scenario. Each endpoint node specific test protocol includes an associated script representing a type of applications traffic such as a credit check, or a database update. Endpoint nodes execute tests as applications level programs on existing endpoint nodes on the network to be tested allowing testing of networks using actual protocol stacks independent of the applications programs available on existing endpoint nodes.
199 Citations
41 Claims
-
1. A method for testing the performance of a communications network including a plurality of endpoint nodes comprising the steps of:
-
adding a console node to the network; defining a test scenario to simulate communications traffic between the endpoint nodes to be tested including selecting a plurality of endpoint nodes for the test scenario and defining endpoint information including an endpoint node specific test protocol for each of the selected endpoint nodes; communicating the endpoint information over the network from the console node to the selected endpoint nodes; initiating execution of the endpoint node specific test protocols on the selected endpoint nodes from the console node; and
,monitoring the performance of the network while the endpoint node specific test protocols are executed to obtain performance data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method for testing performance of a communications network including a plurality of endpoint nodes comprising the steps of:
-
determining a type of application communication traffic expected on the communications network; adding a console node to the network; defining a test scenario to simulate the expected type of application communication traffic between the endpoint nodes to be tested including selecting a plurality of endpoint nodes for the test scenario and defining endpoint information including an endpoint node specific test protocol for each of the selected endpoint nodes; communicating the endpoint information over the network from the console node to the selected endpoint nodes; initiating execution of the endpoint node specific test protocols on the selected endpoint nodes from the console node; monitoring the performance of the network at at least one of the selected endpoint nodes while the endpoint node specific test protocols are executed; terminating execution of all the endpoint node specific test protocols when one of the endpoint node specific test protocols completes execution; and
, thenreporting the monitored performance data from said monitoring step to the console node. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
-
17. A communications network performance testing system for testing a communications network including a plurality of endpoint nodes and a console node comprising:
-
means for defining a test scenario to simulate communications traffic between said endpoint nodes to be tested including selecting a plurality of said endpoint nodes for said test scenario and defining endpoint information including an endpoint node specific test protocol for each of said selected endpoint nodes; means operatively connected to said means for defining for communicating said endpoint information over said network from said console node to said selected endpoint nodes; means operatively connected to said network for initiating execution of said endpoint node specific test protocols on said selected endpoint nodes from said console node; and means operatively connected to said network for monitoring performance of said network while said endpoint node specific test protocols are executed to obtain performance data. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. A computer program product for testing performance of a communications network including a plurality of endpoint nodes and a console node, the computer program product comprising:
-
a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code means embodied in said medium, said computer-readable program code means comprising; computer-readable program code means for defining a test scenario to simulate communications traffic between said endpoint nodes to be tested including selecting a plurality of endpoint nodes for said test scenario and defining endpoint information including an endpoint node specific test protocol for each of said selected endpoint nodes; computer-readable code means operatively connected to said computer-readable code means for defining for communicating said endpoint information over said network from said console node to said selected endpoint nodes; computer-readable code means operatively connected to said network for initiating execution of said endpoint node specific test protocols on said selected endpoint nodes from said console node; and computer-readable code means operatively connected to said network for monitoring performance of said network while said endpoint node specific test protocols are executed to obtain performance data. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
-
Specification