Overview
ISO/IEC 9646-4:1994 - "Information technology - Open Systems Interconnection - Conformance testing methodology and framework - Part 4: Test realization" specifies requirements and guidance for the realization of a Means of Testing (MOT) that implements a reference Abstract Test Suite (ATS). This second edition (1994) replaces the 1991 edition and applies when producing MOTs for a single protocol, multiple protocols or a profile. The standard limits its requirements to MOT aspects that map to the abstract testing functions in ISO/IEC 9646‑1 or that are essential for correct use of the ATS. Acceptance, validation and installation of an MOT are outside its scope.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Means of Testing (MOT) composition and functionality
- MOT must support derivation, selection, parameterization, execution of test cases and generation of a conformance log.
- MOT shall realize Lower Testers and, where applicable, Upper Tester specifications, Test Coordination Procedures (TCPs) and the Test Management Protocol (TMP).
- Executable Test Suite (ETS) derivation
- ETS (including SETS, PETS) must be derived from a single reference ATS and conform to the ATS semantics and chosen test notation (e.g., TTCN).
- Each executable test case must correspond to a single abstract test case; selection/deselection must follow ICS and IXIT provisions.
- Selection and parameterization
- Facilities to deselect inappropriate tests and to parameterize selected tests (producing Parameterized Executable Test Suites (PETS)) are required.
- Support for Basic Interconnection Tests (BIT) selection and initial execution is mandatory if BITs are specified in the ATS.
- Conformance and documentation
- Test realizers must provide a conformance statement for the MOT indicating unsupported ATS subsets and any execution restrictions (e.g., IXIT limits).
- MOT must produce a conformance log and support progression of IXIT proformas and related documentation.
Practical applications and users
- Test realizers and test tool developers building MOT implementations for OSI protocol conformance testing.
- Conformance testing laboratories executing standardized ETS/PETS to assess vendor implementations (IUT/SUT).
- Protocol implementers and vendors preparing products for formal conformance assessment using ATS, PTS or PSTS.
- Standards bodies and test-suite maintainers producing reference ATSs and Profile Test Specifications (PTS).
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 9646 series: Part 1 (General concepts), Part 2 (ATS specification), Part 3 (TTCN notation), Part 5 (requirements on test laboratories), Part 6 (protocol profile testing), Part 7 (Implementation Conformance Statements).
- Corresponding ITU‑T Recommendations (X.290–X.296 family) where applicable.
Keywords: ISO/IEC 9646-4:1994, MOT, ATS, ETS, PETS, TTCN, conformance testing, OSI, IXIT, ICS, conformance log, test realization.
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