Message-independent test harness for content-level test of B2B standards: An application information mapping test case study

NIST has been developing a B2B interoperability testbed to provide tools that facilitate interoperability testing of B2B applications. One of its capabilities focuses on content-level testing in terms of B2B message interpretation. Currently, test harnesses are available only for messages in XML format. Consequently, content testing of messages in other formats such as EDI and ASN.1, cannot not be performed. This paper proposes a message-independent test harness based on the NIST message metamodel - a neutral form of messages - and a formal model of test guidelines. The paper illustrates our approach on a set of EDI logistics messages commonly used in long distance supply chains.