Diameter Signaling Tester

Test Harness & Test Suite for the Validation of Diameter Implementations.

Diameter Conformance Test Architecture

Overview

The Diameter Signaling Tester is a test environment for the Diameter signaling specification as defined by the ETSI & IETF standards. It is a SAFIRE based test harness able to run pre-defined ACATS test scenarios against  Diameter test objects in a controlled & deterministic manner.

The SAFIRE graphical editor allows new scenarios to be created or existing scenarios to be modified using the Diameter interface library (API), which defines the Diameter messages and parameters.  The test harness includes a Diameter protocol analyzer for on-line capture and decode of the signaling in real-time both during tests and as a stand-alone tracer for live systems.

Diameter Signaling Tester is suitable for conformance tests, functional tests, factory tests & acceptance tests.

Key Features

• Fully integrated, complete test environment for Diameter
• ISO conformant test scenarios giving framework coverage of Diameter
• Graphical development environment & libraries for creating new Diameter tests
• Compatible with ACATS Diameter Professional Test Suite (not included)
• Expandable for other Diameter interfaces (Gq', Rf, e2, etc.), SIP, CAP & MAP for complete IMS & core network testing and validation
• Diameter Reference Test Object

Mobile Core Network Architecture

Description

The Diameter Signaling Tester was designed to be a complete solution for Diameter signaling test requirements.  It has the key components:

• Diameter Test Harness including codec & lP stack
• ACATS Diameter Framework Test Suite
• Diameter Interface Library
• Diameter Protocol Analyzer

The Diameter test harness uses the powerful SAFIRE environment to provide advanced features like

• Graphical editing (flow diagram representation)
• Automated execution of test campaigns
• Slow motion replay with synchronized trace & breakpoints
• Test reports with statistics (also HTML)
• Real-time, high performance protocol analysis

Using the Diameter Signaling Tester, test objects can be accurately, reliably and comfortably validated for compliance with the IETF & ETSI standards.  It is suitable for manufacturers, network operators and service providers to address all stages of the development cycle, regression testing through to type approval, acceptance testing & certification (note: requirements may be country/organization specific).

The ACATS Diameter Framework Test Suite includes test scenarios for the validation of terminal equipment by simulating the controlled interaction with other Diameter entities such as

• HSS/HLR
• CSCF
• SLF
• AS
• AF
• PDF
• Credit Control Client
• Credit Control Server

SAFIRE Editor Sample

The framework test suite contains a selection of important scenarios, which can be used to confirm the basic functionality of a Diameter test object. They are also an excellent basis for customization and enhancement according to specific needs.

An upgrade is available for the ACATS Diameter Professional Test Suite, which offers extensive coverage of the SIP signaling test requirements.

Diameter Reference Test Object

For reference a virtual test harness is included, that allows test scenarios to be run off-line against a software-only test object under controlled conditions.  The test harness uses a software bus to replace the physical connection and an accurate software model as the test object.  Normally fully automated execution of tests is possible, but in some specific cases the test object allows/requires user interaction during the tests.

Run Test Scenarios against the Diameter Reference Test Object

Specifications & Test Specifications

• RFC 3588 Diameter
• RFC 4006 Credit Control
• ETSI TS 129 228 V7.3.0 (Cx, Dx)
• ETSI TS 129 229 V7.3.0 (Cx, Dx)
• ETSI TS 129 328 V6.12.0 (Sh)
• ETSI TS 129 329 V6.12.0 (Sh)
• 3GPP2 X.S0013-005-A (Cx)
• 3GPP2 X.S0013-006-A (Cx)
• 3GPP2 X.S0013-010-A (Sh)
• 3GPP2 X.S0013-011-A (Sh)
• ETSI TS 129 209 V6.1.0 (Gq)

Related products & Services

• Please refer to our wide range of Signaling Testers & Protocol Analyzers for VoIP & Mobile Core
• Professional engineering services for project development & test execution
• Training workshops (customized agendas on request)
• OEMs, contact us for bundling offers!