Method to verify correctness of computer system software and hardware components and corresponding test environment

摘要

A method to verify correctness of computer system software and hardware components by comparing a modified system software and/or hardware version of the computer with a verified system software and hardware version of the computer which is assumed to work correctly using a test environment (1), which comprises an execution environment (10a) running a verified or modified system software version connected to a verified or modified hardware model (20a) or hardware system version of the computer comprising at least one chip (22a); comprises the steps of: Operating the test environment (1) with the verified system software and hardware version; monitoring and recording each hardware access during operation of the test environment (1) with the verified system software and hardware version to generate a corresponding verified trace file; operating the test environment (1) with the modified system software and/or hardware version; monitoring and recording each hardware access to generate a corresponding new trace file during operation of the test environment (1) with the modified system software and/or hardware version; defining an arbitrary order for target chips (A, B, C) in the verified and the modified hardware model (20a) or hardware system version; sorting sequences of entries in both trace files according to the target chip order; comparing the sorted trace files by comparing their entries each by each and outputting a corresponding comparison result.