A Case Study of Conformance and Interoperability Testing: AAL 3/4 layer implementations

This paper deals with a case study of conformance testing and interoperability testing of ATM Adaptation Layer type 3/4 (AAL 3/4) implementations. A set of conformance test purposes for AAL 3/4 sublayers is developped. The implementation of these test purposes is analysed using the transverse conformance test method and the interoperability test method. This analysis leads to the identification of some general reasons that prevent the implementation of a given test purpose. As a complement for the conformance testing study, some criteria are given for interoperability between AAL 3/4 implementations. Keywords: SMDS, ATM, AAL 3/4, testing, interoperability. 1 Introduction Conformance testing plays a important role in ensuring correct behaviour and interoperability of communication equipment. For this purpose, ISO has developped a standard describing the methodology and framework of OSI conformance testing [8, 9]. Some general concepts of this standard, such as, Implementation Under Tes..