An educational networking framework for full layer implementation and testing

Abstract

We present the KENSv2 (KAIST Educational Network System) framework for network protocol implementation. The framework is event-driven to guarantee deterministic behaviour and reproducibility, which in turn delivers ease of debugging and evaluation. Our framework consists of four components: the event generator, the virtual host, the TCP driver and the IP driver. The two drivers are what students have to implement, and we offer to the students the drivers in the binary format for paired testing and debugging. We have developed a test suite that covers three categories of test cases: specification, paired, and logic tests. The frame-work logs packet transmissions in the PCAP format to allow use of widely available packet analysis tools. Those tools help inspecting logical behaviour of student solutions, such as congestion control. We have designed five step-by-step assignments and evaluated student submissions. With our automated test suite, we have cut down the number of TAs by half for the doubled class size from the previous semester, in total of 3 TAs and 49 students. We plan to continue using KENSv2 in our undergraduate networking course and expand the test suite.