SDTF

The architecture of SDTF is designed for efficient testing and analysis of mainframe communication protocols. The core components include the Session Manager, Protocol Analyzer, Traffic Generator, and Reporting Engine. The Session Manager is responsible for establishing and managing communication sessions with the mainframe systems.

It handles the connection setup, session maintenance, and disconnection processes. The Protocol Analyzer captures and decodes network traffic, providing detailed insights into the data exchanged between the client and the mainframe. It supports various protocols, including 3270, 5250, RJE, APPC, and APPN.

The Traffic Generator simulates network traffic, allowing users to create various load conditions and test the performance of the mainframe applications. It can generate traffic based on predefined profiles or custom configurations. The Reporting Engine generates detailed reports on test results, including performance metrics, error analysis, and session statistics.

These reports are crucial for identifying bottlenecks and optimizing network performance. Communication between components is primarily handled through internal APIs and data structures. Configuration files, typically in a structured format, are used to define test scenarios, session parameters, and traffic patterns.

The GUI and CLI provide interfaces for managing the tool and executing tests. SDTF does not use any external databases or storage mechanisms for its core functionality. Network requirements include connectivity to the mainframe systems via the supported protocols.

Ports used depend on the specific protocols being tested. For example, 3270 uses port 23 (Telnet) or port 3270 (TN3270).