ISO IEC 9646-2-1994 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/IEC 9646-2:1994 — Information technology — Open Systems Interconnection — Conformance testing methodology and framework — Part 2: Abstract Test Suite specification. Specifies requirements and guidance for producing system-independent (abstract) conformance test suites that check static and dynamic conformance of an implementation by controlling and observing protocol behaviour.

Abstract

Cancels and replaces the first edition (1991). Defines the requirements and gives guidance for producing Abstract Test Suites (ATS) for one or more OSI specifications; applicable to the production of abstract test cases which verify an implementation against static and dynamic conformance requirements. The part is intended to standardize ATS structure and content so results from different test realizers are comparable.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed in systematic review 2000).
• Publication date: Edition 2 — December 1994 (publication record shows international standard published 1994-12-22).
• Publisher: ISO/IEC (Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1 — Information technology).
• ICS / categories: 35.100.01 (Open systems interconnection in general).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (1994), replaces the 1991 edition.
• Number of pages: 33 pages.

Details above are drawn from the ISO catalogue entry and confirmed publication metadata.

Scope

Defines requirements and guidance for the production of Abstract Test Suites (ATS) that are independent of specific test execution mechanisms (i.e., system‑independent). Applicable to conformance testing specifications for OSI protocols, encodings and information objects and to draft specifications in the standardization process; covers the specification of abstract test cases, test structure and coverage, selection criteria, test verdicts and maintenance of ATS.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and role of an Abstract Test Suite (ATS) and its relation to base OSI specifications (conformance clauses, ICS proformas, IXIT information).
• Design criteria and structure for ATS (grouping of tests, mandatory/optional capabilities, behavior tests, multi‑party and single‑party testing considerations).
• Specification of abstract test cases: decomposition into test steps, assignment of test verdicts, control and observation points (PCOs).
• Abstract test methods (single‑party, distributed, coordinated, multi‑party) and guidance for choosing methods appropriate to the protocol/profile under test.
• Requirements on information provided to test realizers (limitations, environment assumptions, ICS/IXIT, test selection guidance) and on ATS maintenance.

Typical use and users

Used by standards developers, test suite specifiers, conformance test laboratories, and organizations producing ATS or converting ATS into Executable Test Suites (ETS). Typical users include protocol specification authors (to include conformance clauses and ICS proformas), test tool vendors (for realization of Means of Testing), and certification bodies performing conformance assessments.

Related standards

ISO/IEC 9646 is a multipart framework; commonly referenced related parts include: ISO/IEC 9646-1 (General concepts), ISO/IEC 9646-3 (TTCN — test notation), ISO/IEC 9646-4 (Test realization / Means of Testing), ISO/IEC 9646-5 (Requirements on test laboratories and clients), ISO/IEC 9646-6 (Protocol profile test specification) and ISO/IEC 9646-7 (Implementation Conformance Statements). These parts form the overall conformance testing methodology for OSI.

Keywords

Abstract Test Suite (ATS), conformance testing, OSI, test methodology, test suite specification, TTCN, Implementation Conformance Statement (ICS), IXIT, executable test suite (ETS), Means of Testing (MOT), test verdicts, multi‑party testing.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC 9646-2:1994 is Part 2 of the ISO/IEC 9646 series that specifies the Abstract Test Suite (ATS) requirements and guidance for OSI conformance testing. It defines how to produce system-independent test suites for checking static and dynamic conformance.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the structure, content and production process of ATSs, test case specification (steps and verdicts), selection and coverage criteria, abstract test methods (single/multi‑party, coordinated, distributed), required information for test realizers (ICS/IXIT) and maintenance of ATS.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Standards authors (to include conformance clauses), test suite specifiers, test tool and MOT implementers, conformance test laboratories and certification bodies, and anyone converting ATS into Executable Test Suites or using ATS to assess implementations.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Edition 2 was published in December 1994 and the ISO record shows the publication was confirmed in a 2000 review; the 1991 edition was withdrawn and replaced by the 1994 edition. For absolute current legal status always check the ISO catalogue or national standards body for any later revisions or replacements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO/IEC 9646 is a multipart standard (9646-1 through -7 and later parts/updates) covering the overall OSI conformance testing methodology, test notation (TTCN), test realization and related requirements.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Abstract Test Suite (ATS), conformance testing, OSI, TTCN, Implementation Conformance Statement (ICS), IXIT, executable test suite (ETS), Means of Testing (MOT), test verdicts, test selection and coverage.