Automated Protocol Validation in Argos: Assertion Proving and Scatter Searching

Abstract

Argos is a validation language for data communication protocols. To validate a protocol, a model in Argos is constructed consisting of a control flow specification and a formal description of the correctness requirements. This model can be compiled into a minimized lower level description that is based on a formal model of communicating finite state machines. An automated protocol validator trace uses these minimized descriptions to perform a partial symbolic execution of the protocol to establish its correctness for the given requirements.