Mechanisms for providing and using a scripting language for flexibly simulationg a plurality of different network protocols

摘要

Provided are test systems, methods, and media which allow a user to script any type of test or model scenario based on a particular type of network traffic (e.g., protocol interaction). In preferred embodiments, the script provides for the generation of packets (stimuli) which are used to provoke responses in order to model or test proper operation of one or more network protocols. The invention includes a scripting language, also referred to as a stimulus/response engine, which includes commands specifying a state change of a network device, and provides for the establishment of packet filters based on expected network traffic, receiving and matching arriving packets with packet filters, and, where there is a match, conducting actions specified by the user in the script.;A stimulus/response engine (SRE) in accordance with the present invention is dynamic it that it accommodates patterns (packet filters) which are modified during test runs. The SRE is fully programmable by the user and thus can be used to design models and test scenarios for a variety of network protocols, including new protocols developed by the user for which no testing packages exist.