Step-Wise Validation of Communication Protocols and Services
Abstract A highly automated approach is proposed for testing the consistency of distinct representations of identical system functionality. This approach is based on dynamic comparison and analysis of observable behaviors presented by system functionality representations given at different levels of abstraction. These representations are encoded in a relatively mechanical way as procedures in sequential PROLOG and thus provide the capability of generating and checking the system functionality they capture. The approach is extremely flexible, straightforward to use, and particularly appropriate to systems whose externally observable behavior can be modeled by finite state automata. The use of this approach is illustrated in the context of OSI communication protocol design and validation.