Case studies
A) Client: a large networking company --Integration Software Testing
The client’s IP based Network Management Software (Managewise/ZFS 2.0) is a Java and SNMP based network management solution tightly integrated with Novell Directory Services (NDS) that allows administrators to proactively manage and optimize the entire network. It provides NetWare and Windows NT server management, desktop management, network traffic analysis, network inventory, remote control, virus protection, and tiered software distribution.
Involved in Integration testing of SNMP based Node (Servers, Routers & Switches) Management, Atlas Maps, Role Based Services, Network Discovery & Database components of ZFS (Zenworks For Servers) Network Management Software. These core components of the s/w product are used to process the discovered network topology data and present in a user-friendly manner on Console PC Workstations.
Responsibilities included validation of software build, User typical Networking environment simulation, agents testing, test cases for Atlas Maps, RBS, Network Discovery, Database & Node Management component, different kinds of test setup including IP Only, IP/IPX & IP Only with IPX compatibility modes, Testing & verification of Backbone network topology & information about various WAN/LAN routers, WAN/LAN switches, WAN Links that Includes PPP, Frame relay, OC3/12 & ATM, defect analysis and reporting
Environment: NetWare 5.0 (&5.1), Win NT 4.0/2000 Server, Win NT Workstation, Windows 95/98,Solaris & Linux, Sniffer, Distributed Sniffer, Simple Tester, SNMP MIB Browser, Win Runner, Load Runner, Interactive Sybase SQL tool, WAN link simulators & Network Load simulators, Cisco Routers, LAN Switches (Baynetworks, 3COM & Cabletron) & TCP/IP based Ethernet & FDDI.
B) Client: a large computer manufacturer - Chipset
SNIA is a client’s supercomputer running Linux on Intel IA64 microprocessor. Firmware involves running PAL and system abstraction layer (SAL) development. SAL includes support for NUMA configuration and SGI platform specific functionality.
• Development of synergy (chipset) Initialization in IA64 assembly. Which includes Bootstrap CPU selection, Initialization and testing of external cache (L4) tags and data, Pre-loading of L4 cache for scratch area through back door access, Flushing and invalidating L4 cache (dirty exclusive cache management), and Enabling CPU caches.
• Development of flash driver for firmware flashing from Linux, EFI application and cross node flashing through NUMA link.
• Machine check abort handling, which includes resolving/clearing CPU specific errors through PAL, SAL level platform error handling, multi-CPU, rendezvous in NUMA environment and OS handoff.
• Porting some of the specific code from MIPS processor to IA64.
Environment: Intel IA-64 Assembly and C, IRIX 6.5, Linux and NT, IA64 SoftSDV, Intel SDK, Linux based software simulator, p_tools.
C) Client: A leading telecom company - TalonMX Optical Add Drop Multiplexer
The TalonMX is a highly scalable, 20Gb/s (OC192) lightwave (SONET) transport system that features a flexible architecture designed specifically to reduce the cost of operations and services for metropolitan optical networks.
The testing role involved
Software Verification - Executing the test plans related to Fault Management/ Alarm &Event management, Provisioning, State Model on windows based GUI tool (Craft Interface) as well as EMS/NMS. Also Verifying the State Diagrams. Verification was done for OC48, OC12, OC3 & VRH line cards. Includes setting up of EMS/NMS Server and Client configuration on UNIX platform.
EMS testing - EMS software is tested for functionality test, stress test and approved for shipment to the Customer.
Test Plan Development - Writing test plan’s for Fault Management area using GR (GR253, GR474) standards. This includes referring related documents, setting up a review meeting for the approval/comments on the test plan, time to time interaction with Managers, software development and Hardware development team.
Environment: EMS/NMS, VxWorks, Clear Case, DDTS, TCL, Expect etc, Windows NT/ 98, & Sun Solaris.
D) Client: A leading Optical Networking Company- Telecom Design, Development and integration of software for DCC
Design, development and Integration of API task between the TL1 Agent Application and the 7 layer OSI stack of DCC (Data Communication Channel of SONET). The project involved understanding of the 7 layers of OSI. The work involved development of sockets (both Stream and packet data transfer), and Select features tailored for VxWorks. It also involved usage of proprietary IPC (Inter Process Communication) calls. Languages used, C and C++. Operating System VxWorks. The tool for source code control is Perforce. We were also involved in pre-study for IP over DCC project involving OSPF and PPP protocols and Redundancy implementation for DCC.
Environment: C, C++, Vxworks, OSPF, PPP, IP.
E) Client: a leading telecom company - Integrated Services Assurance group of Broadband Network Management Development
Fault management of broadband network using Omnibus / Netcool network enterprise management tool. Implements FCAPS functionality on the Sprint broadband network.
• Implementation and testing of TL1 probe for Tellabs TITAN 5500.
• Solved problems and fixed bugs reported by Customers at the Network Operations Center as part of the customer service team.
• Implemented the PDS Schneider Probe with heartbeat and resynchronization functions.
• Configured the Internet Service Monitor to monitor the status and performance of Internet services.
• Created MIB analysis document and developed rules file for alarm mediation of network elements.
Environment: TL1, MIB,
F) Client: a leading telecom company -System Engineering of the ISDN, IDLC and D4 - Channel Bank
Design, Implementation and Testing of embedded software for D4-Channel Bank and TR-008 interface projects. The work included Functional Design, Block Design, Coding, Unit testing and Function testing.
Environment: PLEX, Programming Language for Exchanges Ericsson proprietary OS
G) Client: a leading telecom company Automated operator services and pre-paid calling card platforms
System level design of Resource Manager for Telephony Resource Module.
• Developed and tested DLLs for Resource Manager using Visual C++.
• Design, development and testing of Cluster SNMP Trap Manager on Linux and VxWorks RTOS.
• Designed and developed SNMP Trap MIB for IVI Cluster on Linux.
Environment: Sun Workshop IDE, HP Open View.
H) Client: a leading telecom company - Network element management protocols for ATM network using BULL ISM OpenMaster
Network element management system for an ATM network, which transport voice and data from the existing DMS-100 network. It consists of Network Elements such as Call processor, Signaling Point, ATM Voice Mulitiplexer, Controllable ATM switch fabric and Cisco router.
• Individual role in designing and developing management user interfaces for provisioning, fault and performance management for AVM, CP and CAF.
• Implementation of SNMP configuration tool for provisioning of network elements.
• Design and development of event mediation tasks to mediate SNMP traps to ISO alarms for network elements.
• Created software unit test plans, executed test cases and recorded test results.
Environment: SML, X-Motif, Shell scripts, SunOS, SML builder, Clear DDTS defect tracking system.
I) Client: a leading telecom company -Next Generation Digital Loop Carrier (NGDLC) system Testing
Testing of SONET interface to Litespan
• Created test plan document and test cases. Executed test cases for system validation.
• Configuration and provisioning in TL –1.
Environment: Data test unit TPI 108 / 109, TPI 95 / 95 B, ISDN test set.
J) Client: a leading Security Software company -CyberCop Scanner
The Scanner is a Windows NT based network security product, which examines computer systems, and network devices for security vulnerabilities in enterprise network environments. Scan engine is a win32 multithreaded engine scalable up to hundreds of threads based on the environment under scan to achieve maximum performance. Scan engine performs initial scan tasks using NDIS packet filter.
• Design of Scan engine and module handler with object oriented approach.
• Developed Win32 multi threaded SMP safe Scan engine by providing dynamic load balancing to control modules/threads against single host verses multiple hosts based on a multi folded criteria such as module dependency, Detected OS, type of vulnerability check.
• Interfaces to modules, GUI and reporting using native IPC and DCOM techniques.
• Winsock modules to test against known TCP/IP stack vulnerabilities.
• Development of interface DLL for reporting to centralized MMC database using Security management Interface (DCOM Library).
Environment: ’C++’ NT4.0 and Win2K-RC2. VC++ 6.0,NDIS, Source Safe, Network, Sniffers, COM / DCOM Microsoft Management Console (MMC), ODBC.
K) Client: A Large Wireless Telecom Carrier – Web based Time & Project tracker
Executive Summary
The client licensed the Web-based Time Tracking tool called TOCK v3.2. The product was used for client personnel time keeping. The product did not include any functionality for project management. The client saw the dire need to include the Project Tracking functionality in the product. The tool vendor was not willing to move away from their main focus – the time tracking tool.
The original vendors time tracking tool called TOCK was extended to include the Project Tracking mechanism. Ever since, the product was upgraded thrice for more functionality and each time was found to be the right choice.
Our team developed the new Project Tracking module on a fixed cost – fixed duration basis.
Business Challenge
The client has lots of internal projects being executed. These projects included a lot of manpower from various departments. Time keeping on a project-to-project basis for this was a major task. The lack of a Project Tracking tool led to miscalculation of manpower availability and in turn led to project execution inefficiency directly effecting the company’s bottom line.
Exploring Solutions
The solution that the client was looking for was to have two key features – one for Time Keeping and the other for Project Tracking. The product available in the market that had a solution close to the client’s requirement was TOCK. Now, the tool had to be enhanced to include the Project Tracking tool. Our team helped designed and developed this tool for the client. Later developments to the product included the creation of various project-tracking reports.
Implementing and using the System
We have provided extensive service for an Internet based Time and Expense Tracking product - TOCK. TOCK runs on Netscape Application Server, compatible to different browsers and has the capability to use various databases like Oracle, Sybase and MSSQL. Our team was involved in the extension of the basic Tock product. The Expense functionality for the product was completed and delivered in a record time.
Optimizing Technology Resources
As recognition of our efforts, the client involved us in enhancing the system that caters to the management of different projects along with tracking the time of the projects. The integrating of TOCK with the project management module involved hierarchical accesses and administration, interfaces and reports. The key feature of the solution was catering to portability with different databases.
Bottom Line Advantage
The development of these new features along with the development of the project management extension module made it possible for the proper use of project development personnel within the client company.
Using the TOCK tool the company knew at any point of time, the projects that were in progress and the amount of financial resources that they were using. The tool also allowed the client executive to plan future project developments from the reporting tools in TOCK, which provided information of project completions, manpower availability and productiveness of all the project teams.
L) Client: A large Telecom company- Integrated Travel and Expense System - METRO, EXTENSITY
Metro and Extensity are Web based tools used by the client’s Employees to submit expenses. These tools simplify the process of Expense entry and policy error checks. Interface to ERP is designed to create Invoices into Oracle Payables. Metro has Admin module developed in Power Builder and is used by Auditors to do Audit activity.
We were involved in development and integration testing of interface module for Extensity to Oracle Payables. Worked on enhancements to METRO Power Builder Admin Module. We supported Metro and developed reports.
Environment: Oracle 7.3.4, Oracle Applications (OA) 10.7, Power Builder 6.5, Perl 5, PL/SQL and Unix Shell Scripts, HP-UX 10 on HP-9000 series 800
M) Flexible Invoice
• CCRT
CCRT is a Web based tool to allow customers to map their product numbers to the client products number. Customer product numbers are then printed to all the correspondence to Customers such as Invoices, carton labels. This simplifies the process of order fulfillment and invoice receipt process. We designed and developed Perl CGI programs using DBI for part number mapping and product information update.
• Summary Invoice
Oracle standard invoice program creates new invoice for all the lines of the order that are shipped on a day. One customer purchase order may get split into multiple orders which in turn generate multiple invoices based on orders and how the lines are shipped. Customers want single invoice for a purchase order or sales order. We designed and developed Consolidated Invoice and AB Order Hold reports.
Environment: Oracle 7.3.4, Perl 5, JavaScript 1.2, Reports 2.5, PL/SQL 2.3.4, HP-UX 10 on HP-9000 series 800
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