Automated network-based test system for set top box devices
An automated network-based test system for set top box devices is disclosed. According to certain embodiments, the network-based testing system using Simple Network Management Protocol facilitates remote testing of thousands of set-top boxes, where groups of these set top boxes can be located in various locations that are remote from a main controller server that is running the tests remotely.
1. A system comprising:
a plurality of video and audio analyzers, wherein each video and audio analyzer of at least a subset of the plurality of video and audio analyzers is configured to send input signals to a corresponding set top box (STB) of a plurality of STBs under test for testing the corresponding STB;
a main test controller that is remote from the plurality of video and audio analyzers, the main test controller communicating with the plurality of video and audio analyzers via Ethernet;
a headend controller connected to at least one of the plurality of video and audio analyzers, the headend controller configured to communicate with at least one STB under test; and
a jump server connected across a network to the headend controller, the jump server also connected across a remote link and across a gateway to the main test controller.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a secondary test controller configured to control a video and audio generator that streams video and audio test patterns to at least a subset of the plurality of STBs under test via corresponding video and audio analyzers.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the main test controller is configured to analyze output signals outputted by at least a subset of the plurality of STBs under test.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the main test controller is configured to resolve host IP values for each STB of at least a subset of the plurality of STBs under test.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the main test controller is configured to cause each video and audio analyzer of at least a subset of the plurality of video and audio analyzers to generate infra-red (IR) signals for sending the IR signals to a corresponding STB under test.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of video and audio analyzers reside in a virtual local area network (VLAN), and wherein the main test controller establishes communication with the jump server using a secure Internet protocol.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
each STB under test is configured to communicate with the main test controller using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP);
the jump server is configured to execute SNMP commands to collect diagnostic and health status of each STB under test; and
the headend controller is configured to
transmit Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) signaling to each STB under test using SNMP, and
send signals via a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) and a DOCSIS set-top box gateway (DSG channel).
8. A system comprising:
a plurality of video and audio analyzers, wherein each video and audio analyzer of at least a subset of the plurality of video and audio analyzers is configured to send input signals to a corresponding set top box (STB) of a plurality of STBs under test for testing the corresponding STB;
a main test controller that is remote from the plurality of video and audio analyzers, the main test controller communicating with the plurality of video and audio analyzers via Ethernet;
a headend controller connected to at least one of the plurality of video and audio analyzers, the headend controller configured to communicate with at least one STB under test; and
a router connected across a network to the headend controller, the router also connected across a remote link and across a gateway to the main test controller.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the main test controller is configured to analyze output signals outputted by at least a subset of the plurality of STBs under test.
10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the main test controller is configured to cause each video and audio analyzer of at least a subset of the plurality of video and audio analyzers to generate infra-red (IR) signals for sending the IR signals to a corresponding STB under test.
11. The system of claim 8 , wherein:
each STB under test is configured to communicate with the main test controller using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP);
the main test controller is configured to execute SNMP commands to collect diagnostic and health status of each STB under test; and
the headend controller is configured to
transmit Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) signaling to each STB under test using SNMP, and
send signals via a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) and a DOCSIS set-top box gateway (DSG channel).