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This paper discusses how the deterministic execution testing approach can be applied to solve the synchronization and nondeterminism problems in protocol testing. Deterministic execution testing is achieved by incorporating test coordination procedures to control the execution of the test system and to control specific non-deterministic behavior in the implementation under test. The deterministic execution testing approach is applied to the Open Systems Interface Class 0 Transport Layer protocol.

The twin developments of sophisticated communications protocols and a multivendor environment are revolutionizing the world of data communications and telephony. Protocol testing will have a significant role in this evolving environment, for it helps ensure interoperability between and among systems from multiple vendors and service providers. AT&T, in its role of service and product provider, has a keen interest in protocol testing to ensure the interoperability of its products and services, alone and in concert with those of other vendors.

This issue of the AT&T Technical Journal emphasizes the importance to AT&T of industry-standard protocols in the design of communications networks. The articles describe the broad range of work conducted within the company in the development of procedures and tools to verify and test communications protocols.