OBJECTIVE:

To enable asynchronous (i.e., disconnected) and synchronous (i.e., connected) testing scenarios by serving as an independent observer and message router with capability to log the transactions exchanged between the participants in the testing process.

MOTIVATION:

During the testing campaigns, proof of concepts, and piloting integration efforts, it is desirable to support initially asynchronous testing among the participants to be followed by synchronous testing. 

During asynchronous testing, each participant is given conformance tests to meet prior to engaging this participant in interoperability (pair-wise) testing that requires greater coordination of resources.  A reflector tool needs to enable increasingly complex conformance tests to be run by the participants independent of each other.

During synchronous testing, participants engage in pair-wise exchanges of messages where the reflector tool is used to route the messages to the identified recipients. A reflector tool needs to log the exchanged messages in a transaction store for analysis of the interoperability tests and to enable monitoring tools to access the transaction data.

APPROACH:

We have obtained versions of reflector and transaction store components that meet our requirements from Accordare, a software product company focused on accelerating the deployment of XML-based trading connections.  For additional information about the software, please see www.accordare.com.

DELIVERABLES:

This activity has supported a number of demonstrations and proofs of concepts enabling testbed participants to perform both asynchronous and synchronous testing over the course of interoperability trials.  The reflector and transaction store components are integral components of the testbed.

STATUS:

This collaborative MSID activity started on 10/01/2001 and is on-going.