Testing the Claims of Test Automation

This alliance is meant to promote a common vision enabling service providers and network equipment manufacturers to optimize lab resources through advanced automation. Its framework is called the Automation Continuum and it integrates test automation technologies, such as lab management, configuration management, test authoring and test management.

Rainge said it focuses on the requirements of service providers and network equipment manufacturers to accelerate the deployment of new services and products, as the testing cycles have begun to exceed development cycles.

Johnson said the added collaboration between vendors within the TAA allows them to align their technology road maps, which in turn will help them maintain their automation capabilities as new technologies are introduced. “You never know what will get handed to you to test. As long as we evolve along integrated standards, when there is new technology and innovation ... you can continue to leverage the platform. That’s why we call it a continuum,” Johnson said.

To be even more useful to service providers, a platform should extend from development testing to quality assessment testing. And the only way to do that, Johnson said, is with a common platform with open standards and open interfaces.

For all its efforts at collaboration, the TAA also is a competitive device. In August, Ixia formed its own alliance, the creatively named TesLA Alliance. The IP Test Lab Automation Alliance was formed to develop an open, multivendor IP test automation framework. It will build and market compatible solutions that enable seamless interoperation between their members’ solutions in customer quality assurance labs.

Ixia hosted the first TesLA Alliance briefings and product demonstrations at its iSimCity proof-of-concept lab in Santa Clara, Calif. One of the goals of the alliance is to establish a common framework that will allow members’ customers to automate their end-to-end testing. The founding TesLA members are APCON, Codenomicon, Fanfare, Ixia, Mu Dynamics, QualiSystems and Shunra. In mid-November, BT, F5 Networks, HP, Verizon and Vodafone also joined the TesLA Alliance Customer Advisory Board.

Atul Bhatnagar, president and CEO of Ixia, said “Ixia and its partners share a common vision for TesLA to further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of IP service and network testing.”

The TesLA framework is based on Ixia’s Test Conductor IP test automation solution. Ixia’s iSimCity proof-of-concept lab will provide the facilities for interoperability testing by all alliance members. By joining the alliance, member companies have agreed to increase the depth and breadth of their interoperability with all alliance members’ IP testing products.

David Chartier, CEO of Codenomicon, said security, vulnerability and robustness test methodologies are indispensable for today’s complex networks and devices.

Mu Dynamics also addresses security. Dave Kresse, CEO of Mu Dynamics, said, “Ixia’s broad range of load-based testing expertise complements Mu’s focus around removing reliability, availability and security concerns to effectively eliminate downtime and quality issues in NGN IP Services.”