Test Architectures for Testing Distributed Systems

This paper suggests two test architectures for testing distributed, concurrent systems: a global tester that has total control over the distributed system under test (SUT) and, more interestingly, a distributed tester comprising several concurrent tester components. The test architectures rely on a grey-box testing approach that allows to observe internal interactions of the SUT by the tester. In order to realize distributed testers, the correct global view on the behavior of the SUT must be maintained by the tester. This can be achieved if coordination procedures are established between the concurrent tester components. Coordination between tester components can be implemented by means of redundant observation of internal interactions within the SUT or by means of using synchronization events between tester components. First concepts of a distributed tester are realized in a prototype of a test and monitoring tool used for inhouse testing, monitoring, and analyzing distributed systems within Siemens. The project is conducted in Siemens’ R&D Software and Engineering Department in charge of its Information and Communication Networks Division.