Realizing distributed TTCN-3 test systems with TCI

Distributed test setups for efficient load, performance, scalability, interworking, and end-to-end tests are gaining importance for the assessment of distributed communicating systems. The Testing and Test Control Notation TTCN-3 provides concepts for component-based distributed test systems in dynamic test configurations, where test components may reside on various network nodes to be near the interfaces of the tested system. The realization of executable TTCN-3 tests on concrete test platforms involves TTCN-3 compilation/interpretation and adaptations to the test platform. The TTCN-3 Control Interfaces TCI define entities, interfaces, types and operations needed to flexibly manage and distribute TTCN-3 based test systems. It complements and completes the TTCN-3 Runtime Interface TRI. This paper discusses the underlying concepts of TCI and demonstrates its use for the realization of a distributed test for the Session Initiation Protocol SIP