A method for testing a Diameter routing node, the method comprising: at a Diameter routing node: receiving, from a Diameter message generation module external to the Diameter routing node and via a test connection, a first Diameter message; modifying, using a module within the Diameter routing node, the first Diameter message to include a test indicator parameter indicating the first Diameter message is a test message; processing the modified first Diameter message; directing the modified first Diameter message to an egress message manager within the Diameter routing node; determining, at the egress message manager, whether the modified first Diameter message is destined for a test-related destination; in response to determining the modified first Diameter message is destined for test-related destination, sending the modified first Diameter message or information associated with the modified first Diameter message to the test-related destination; and in response to determining the modified first Diameter message is not destined for a test-related destination, preventing the modified first Diameter message from reaching a destination that is not a test-related destination. at a Diameter routing node: receiving, from a Diameter message generation module external to the Diameter routing node and via a test connection, a first Diameter message; modifying, using a module within the Diameter routing node, the first Diameter message to include a test indicator parameter indicating the first Diameter message is a test message; processing the modified first Diameter message; directing the modified first Diameter message to an egress message manager within the Diameter routing node; determining, at the egress message manager, whether the modified first Diameter message is destined for a test-related destination; in response to determining the modified first Diameter message is destined for test-related destination, sending the modified first Diameter message or information associated with the modified first Diameter message to the test-related destination; and in response to determining the modified first Diameter message is not destined for a test-related destination, preventing the modified first Diameter message from reaching a destination that is not a test-related destination. receiving, from a Diameter message generation module external to the Diameter routing node and via a test connection, a first Diameter message; modifying, using a module within the Diameter routing node, the first Diameter message to include a test indicator parameter indicating the first Diameter message is a test message; processing the modified first Diameter message; directing the modified first Diameter message to an egress message manager within the Diameter routing node; determining, at the egress message manager, whether the modified first Diameter message is destined for a test-related destination; in response to determining the modified first Diameter message is destined for test-related destination, sending the modified first Diameter message or information associated with the modified first Diameter message to the test-related destination; and in response to determining the modified first Diameter message is not destined for a test-related destination, preventing the modified first Diameter message from reaching a destination that is not a test-related destination.