Abstract:
An object of the present invention is to provide a network apparatus test system capable of highly efficiently performing a test of a network apparatus, wherein the host server includes a first control unit which transmits a test signal to a monitoring server, the monitoring server includes a second control unit which detects a test request signal and transmits the detected test request signal to a setting server, and which transmits the test signal to the network apparatus, and the setting server includes a storage unit which stores a plurality of IP addresses, and a third control unit which is configured, each time the test request signal is received, to assign one of the plurality of IP addresses to the network apparatus, and to perform processing for generating identification information, and is configured to make the first control unit transmit and the second control unit transmit the test signal.

Description:
[0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-176250 filed on Jul. 4, 2007, the content of which is incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a network apparatus test system and a network apparatus test method, for testing a network apparatus which sends out a test request signal including an identification number when being connected to a network. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A radio base station which is authorized as the WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), and a radio base station which complies with the standard of WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) are included in a network apparatus which performs voice and data communication via a network. Such radio base stations are tested before shipment by being incorporated into a test system in which a simulated communication environment is provided. 
         [0006]    There are proposed various test systems in order to reduce the test time in testing the radio base station, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-68949 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1). 
         [0007]    The test system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is based on the premise that one radio base station is tested, and comprises a personal computer, a test jig, a signaling tester, and a BER counter. The radio base station is connected to the test jig and the signaling tester via each network cable. 
         [0008]    In the test system described in Patent Document 1, a test start command sent from the personal computer is inputted into the radio base station via the test jig. Then, in the radio base station, a first connection channel for communication with the test jig, and a second connection channel for communication with the signaling tester are respectively set. 
         [0009]    When the first connection channel and the second connection channel are set in the radio base station, a test signal whose bit pattern is set beforehand is transmitted from the test jig to the radio base station by using the first connection channel. Then, the test signal is transmitted from the radio base station to the signaling tester by using the second connection channel. 
         [0010]    The operation mode of the signaling tester is set so as to return the input signal. Thus, the test signal is returned to the test jig via the radio base station. 
         [0011]    In the test system described in Patent Document 1, when the test signal is returned to the test jig, the bit pattern of the returned signal is compared with the bit pattern of the test signal in the BER counter, so that the error rate of the bit pattern is measured. The measured error rate of the bit pattern is notified to the personal computer. Then, in the personal computer, it is determined whether or not the test result is acceptable on the basis of the error rate of the bit pattern, and the determination result is displayed on a screen. 
         [0012]    According to the test system described in Patent Document 1, the test time can be reduced, because the test of the radio base station is managed by the personal computer, and because the amount of work done by a computer operator is small. 
         [0013]    However, in the test system described in Patent Document 1, only one radio base station can be tested. Therefore, it is thought that the test efficiency may be lowered in the case where a number of radio base stations need to be tested by using the test system described in Patent Document 1. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention has been made in order to solve the above described problem. An exemplary object of the present invention is to provide a network apparatus test system and a network apparatus test method, which are capable of highly efficiently testing a network apparatus. 
         [0015]    A network apparatus test system according to an exemplary aspect of the invention tests a network apparatus which sends out a test request signal including a predetermined identification number when being connected to a network, and includes a setting server which is able to communicate with the network apparatus via the network, a monitoring server, and a host server connected to the monitoring server. The host server includes a first control unit which transmits to the monitoring server a test signal for making the network apparatus perform predetermined test contents based upon control that is exercised by the setting server. The monitoring server includes a second control unit which detects the test request signal and transmits the detected test request signal to the setting server, and which transmits the test signal to the network apparatus based upon control that is exercised by the setting server. The setting server includes a storage unit which stores a plurality of IP addresses which can be identified in the network, and a third control unit which is configured, each time the test request signal is received, to assign one of the plurality of IP addresses to the network apparatus from which the test request signal is sent, for making the assigned IP address be set by the network apparatus, and to perform processing for generating identification information indicating the identification number and the IP address of the network apparatus, and which is configured to then make the first control unit transmit the test signal and to make the second control unit transmit the test signal by using the identification information. 
         [0016]    A network apparatus which sends out a test request signal including a predetermined identification number when being connected to a network, is tested based on a network apparatus test method according to an exemplary aspect of the invention according to the present invention, and the network apparatus test method includes: generating a plurality of IP addresses which can be identified in the network; performing processing configured, each time the test request signal is detected, to assign one of the plurality of IP addresses to the network apparatus from which the test request signal is sent, for making the assigned IP address be set by the network apparatus, and to generate identification information indicating the identification number and the IP address of the network apparatus; and transmitting to the network apparatus a test signal to make the network apparatus perform predetermined test contents by using the identification information. 
         [0017]    The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate examples of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration of an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart showing an operation procedure of the system according to the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is an illustration for explaining an operation of the system according to the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is an illustration for explaining another exemplary embodiment of the system according to the present invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the other exemplary embodiment of the system according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    An exemplary embodiment according to the present invention will be described.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration of an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the present invention. 
         [0024]    The system according to the present exemplary embodiment comprises, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of base stations which includes base station  11 , base station  12 , and base station  13 , a plurality of terminal stations which includes terminal station  21 , terminal station  22 , terminal station  23 , and terminal station  24 , setting server  31 , monitoring server  32 , host server  33 , switching hub  41 , and simulator  51 . 
         [0025]    Setting server  31  and monitoring server  32  are communicably connected to the plurality of base stations via a test network. 
         [0026]    Base stations  11  to  13  are, for example, radio base stations, and are apparatuses to be tested in the present exemplary embodiment. Further, each of base stations  11  to  13  sends out a test request signal in which a MAC (Media Access Control) address is indicated as an identification number when being connected to the test network. 
         [0027]    Base station  11  is connected to switching hub  41  via network cable  61 . Further, base station  11  is connected to simulator  51  via network cable  64 . 
         [0028]    Base station  12  is connected to switching hub  41  via network cable  62 . Further, base station  12  is connected to simulator  51  via network cable  65 . 
         [0029]    Base station  13  is connected to switching hub  41  via network cable  63 . Further, base station  13  is connected to simulator  51  via network cable  66 . 
         [0030]    Terminal stations  21  to  24  are communication partners of the respective base stations, and terminal station  21  is connected to simulator  51  via network cable  67 . Terminal station  22  is connected to simulator  51  via network cable  68 . Terminal station  23  is connected to simulator  51  via network cable  69 . Terminal station  24  is connected to simulator  51  via network cable  70 . 
         [0031]    Note that there can be the thing that terminal station is called mobile station. 
         [0032]    Setting server  31  is, for example, a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server, and includes storage unit  81  and control unit  82 . Further, setting server  31  is connected to switching hub  41  via network cable  71 . 
         [0033]    Storage unit  81  stores predetermined test information. The test information includes, for example, the MAC address of the apparatus to be tested, a plurality of test IP addresses which can be identified in the test network, and the like. 
         [0034]    Control unit  82  controls the operation of setting server  31 . 
         [0035]    Monitoring server  32  is a server having a gateway function, and comprises storage unit  83  and control unit  84 . Further, monitoring server  32  is connected to switching hub  41  via network cable  72 , and is connected to host server  33  via network cable  73 . 
         [0036]    Storage unit  83  stores information which is necessary for monitoring server  32  to communicate with each base station. 
         [0037]    Control unit  84  controls the operation of monitoring server  32 . 
         [0038]    Host server  33  is an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server or a streaming server, and comprises storage unit  85  and control unit  86 . 
         [0039]    Storage unit  85  stores test tools which are necessary for testing each base station. The test tools include, for example, a tool for performing the ping which is an operation to check whether or not a certain IP address exists on the network, a tool for performing communication based on the UDP (User Datagram Protocol), and the like. 
         [0040]    Control unit  86  controls the operation of host server  33 . 
         [0041]    Switching hub  41  is configured to perform data transmission between each base station and setting server  31 , and between each base station and monitoring server  32 , and to perform data transmission between setting server  31  and monitoring server  32 . Switching hub  41  comprises a plurality of ports. 
         [0042]    Simulator  51  is configured to simulate the radio communication between each base station and each terminal station. According to the test contents, simulator  51  periodically changes the strength and the phase of an input signal, and switches connection between the base station and the terminal station. 
         [0043]    Next, the operation of the system according to the present invention will be described. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart showing an operation procedure of the system according to the present invention. 
         [0045]    First, it is determined whether or not a test request signal sent from a base station is detected by control unit  84  of monitoring server  32  (step S 1 ). Upon detection of a test request signal by control unit  84 , setting processing to enable the base station, from which the test request signal is sent, to be tested is performed (step S 2 ). 
         [0046]    Next, the operation in step S 2  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 3 . Note that it is assumed here that a test request signal sent from base station  11  is detected by control unit  84 . 
         [0047]    Control unit  84  transmits the detected test request signal to setting server  31  (step S 21 ). In setting server  31 , control unit  82  confirms whether or not a MAC address included in the test request signal is registered in storage unit  81  (step S 22 ). 
         [0048]    Upon confirmation that the MAC Address is registered in storage unit  81 , control unit  82  determines a test IP address to be assigned to base station  11  from the plurality of IP addresses stored in storage unit  81 , and transmits the determined test IP address to base station  11  (step S 23 ). 
         [0049]    Then, control unit  82  transmits identification information, which indicates the MAC Address and the test IP address of base station  11 , to monitoring server  32  (step S 24 ). In monitoring server  32 , control unit  84  stores the received identification information in storage unit  83  (step S 25 ). 
         [0050]    Upon receipt of the test IP address from setting server  31 , base station  11  performs the setting of the test IP address (step S 26 ). At this time, when an IP address different from the test IP address is already set, base station  11  stores the already-set IP address in storage means and performs processing to update the IP address to the test IP address. 
         [0051]    Upon completion of the setting processing of the test IP address, base station  11  transmits a notification indicating the completion of the setting processing to monitoring server  32  (step S 27 ). In monitoring server  32 , control unit  84  transmits to base station  11  a permission notification indicating permission for a shift to a communicable state (step S 28 ). Upon receipt of the permission notification, base station  11  performs processing to shift to the communicable state (step S 29 ). 
         [0052]    The operation in step S 2  is completed through the operations from step S 21  to step S 29 . 
         [0053]    Similar to the case of base station  11 , test IP addresses are assigned to base station  12  and base station  13 , and identification information is generated. That is, the operations from step S 21  to step S 29  are repeatedly performed each time control unit  84  detects a test request signal. 
         [0054]    Upon completion of the setting processing, the test processing is performed to the base station to which the test IP address is assigned (step S 3 ). 
         [0055]    Next, the operation in step S 3  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 3 . Here, there will be described a case where base station  11  is tested. 
         [0056]    In the setting server, with the lapse of a predetermined time after the identification information of base station  11  is transmitted to monitoring server  32  in step S 24 , control unit  82  transmits to monitoring server  32  a control signal indicating transmission of a test signal to base station  11  (step S 31 ). In monitoring server  32 , control unit  84  relays the control signal to host server  33  (step S 32 ). 
         [0057]    In host server  33 , upon receipt of the control signal, control unit  86  generates a test signal that is generated by using the test tool stored in storage unit  85  and transmits the generated test signal to monitoring server  32  (step S 33 ). Note that the test signal includes video data and voice data. 
         [0058]    In monitoring server  32 , control unit  84  relays the received test signal to base station  11  (step S 34 ). 
         [0059]    Base station  11  transmits the received test signal to simulator  51  via network cable  64  (step S 35 ). Then, simulator  51  transmits the test signal to a terminal station which is determined beforehand as a communication partner of base station  11  via the network cable. Note that in the present exemplary embodiment, terminal station  21  is determined beforehand as the communication partner of base station  11 . 
         [0060]    Upon receipt of the test signal via network cable  67 , terminal station  21  transmits a response signal to simulator  51  via cable  67 . Simulator  51  transmits the response signal to base station  11  via cable  64 . 
         [0061]    Base station  11  transmits the received response signal to monitoring server  32  (step S 36 ). In monitoring server  32 , control unit  84  relays the response signal to host server  33  (step S 37 ). In host server  33 , control unit  86  transmits to monitoring server  32  the test result obtained by analyzing the response signal (step S 38 ). 
         [0062]    In monitoring server  32 , control unit  84  transmits the received test result to setting server  31  (step S 39 ). Then, setting server  31  determines success or failure of the test on the basis of the test result received by control unit  82  (step S 40 ). 
         [0063]    The operations from step S 31  to step S 40  are repeated until the predetermined test is finished. 
         [0064]    Further, the operations from step S 31  to step S 40  are performed in parallel successively from the base station whose setting processing has been completed. Thus, base station  12  and base station  13  are tested even during the testing of base station  11 . 
         [0065]    Further, control unit  82  makes the base station, whose testing has been completed, perform processing so that the base station is disconnected from the test network. 
         [0066]    Note that a base station which received a command indicating the end of the test from control unit  84  by an operation of an operator may disconnect from the test network even during the test. In this case, it is possible for the operator to forcibly end the test. 
         [0067]    In the present exemplary embodiment, the test is performed in a communication environment that simulates radio communication. For example, in order to perform the test in the radio communication environment as shown in  FIG. 4 , the system may be configured such that simulator  51  is omitted as shown in  FIG. 5 . In this case, it is possible to perform the test corresponding to an actual communication environment. 
         [0068]    Communication area  101  shown in  FIG. 4  is a communication area at the time when base station  11  performs radio communication, and terminal station  21  is arranged in the communication area. Communication area  102  is a communication area at the time when base station  12  performs radio communication, and terminal station  23  is arranged in the communication area. Communication area  103  is a communication area at the time when base station  13  performs radio communication, and terminal station  24  is arranged in the communication area. Terminal station  22  is arranged in the communication area in which communication area  101  and communication area  102  overlap. 
         [0069]    Further, testing of a plurality of radio base stations is described in the present exemplary embodiment, but a plurality of terminal stations may also be set as apparatuses to be tested. In this case, the test IP address assigned by setting server  31  to a terminal station is transmitted from setting server  31  to the terminal station through the base station which is to serve as a communications partner of the terminal station. 
         [0070]    Further, a communication system configured by a plurality of base stations and a plurality of terminal stations may also be set as a test object. In this case, it is possible to perform a simulation test of the handover, which is performed in the communication with a mobile radio terminal by such a way that simulator  51  switches base stations each of which serves as a communications partner of a specific terminal station. 
         [0071]    Note that the apparatus to be tested is not limited to the radio base station and the radio terminal station. However, the apparatus to be tested may be a network apparatus, provided that the network apparatus performs voice and data communication via a network. 
         [0072]    In the present exemplary embodiment, each time the test request signal is sent from a plurality of base stations which are the apparatuses to be tested, the test IP address is assigned to each base station, and identification information is generated. Then, the test signal is transmitted to each base station by using the identification information. Thereby, the transmission of the test signal to each of the plurality of base stations can be controlled, and thereby it is possible to test the plurality of base stations. 
         [0073]    According to the present exemplary embodiment, a plurality of base stations can be tested, and thereby it is possible to highly efficiently perform testing of the base stations. 
         [0074]    Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, the test IP address is assigned after it is confirmed that the MAC address included in the test request signal is registered in setting server  31 . Thereby, it is confirmed whether or not the base station, from which the test request signal is sent, is the apparatus to be tested, and hence the test of the base station can be more securely performed. 
         [0075]    While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.