PTFW: a protocol testing framework for wireless sensor networks

ABSTRACT

Protocol testing has been one of the most active fields in computer networks. In Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), before directly employing protocols on hardware testbed, we expect an effective test framework to verify the logical correctness of protocols on computers, which could facilitate the whole test process. Towards this goal, this paper introduces an upper test framework in WSNs, namely Protocol Testing Framework for WSNs (PTFW).

PTFW is a visual client-server test framework which is built upon the unique features of WSNs. It is based on the layered architecture of WSNs and uses Finite State Machine (FSM) theory as the kernel. The proposed test framework is developed on Linux Operating System (OS) and coded in standard C language for the consideration of compatibility for real-world implementation.

PTFW provides the standards/specifications of conformance testing for test on hardware testbed. To validate the performance and effectiveness of PTFW, we apply it to a real-world WSNs protocol. The results show that PTFW exhibits excellent visual and real-time features, which bring considerable convenience to the later employments on testbed.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.2 Network Protocols

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.1 Network Architecture and Design

General Terms:
Design, Performance, Verification

Keywords:
FSM, PTFW, client-server, protocol test, sensor networks