CERT-TEST-FAILURE Events Missing During Validation Troubleshooting

Hey guys! It looks like we've hit a snag with generating CERT-TEST-FAILURE events during validation, and I wanted to break it down for you in a way that’s super clear and helpful. We’re diving deep into why these events aren’t popping up as expected, what tests are affected, and how we can get this sorted. So, let’s jump right in!

The Issue: CERT-TEST-FAILURE Events MIA

So, the main issue is that CERT-TEST-FAILURE events aren't being generated when we're validating certain test cases. This is a problem because these events are crucial for confirming that our device is behaving as it should under test conditions. Think of them as the device's way of saying, “Hey, something went wrong during this test!” When these events don’t show up, it’s like trying to debug in the dark – we miss key insights into what’s failing and why. This issue surfaces during the validation process, which is a critical stage where we ensure everything is working perfectly before we move forward. When these events go missing, it throws a wrench in our validation efforts, making it harder to guarantee the reliability and stability of our system.

Specifically, we're seeing this problem when running tests related to software diagnostics and general diagnostics. These tests are designed to check the device's ability to report issues, so the absence of these failure events is a big red flag. It means we're not getting the feedback we need to identify and fix problems effectively. The core of the issue lies in the device’s inability to generate and transmit these specific failure events. This could stem from a variety of factors, including bugs in the event generation logic, issues with the communication pathways, or misconfigurations in the testing environment. Pinpointing the exact root cause is a complex task, often requiring a systematic approach to eliminate possibilities and zero in on the true culprit. Without these events, diagnosing issues becomes a game of guesswork rather than a precise, data-driven process. This lack of visibility can significantly slow down the development cycle, as developers spend more time trying to reproduce errors and less time implementing solutions.

To make it even clearer, these events should be generated when something goes wrong during a test, signaling a failure. But in our case, they’re just not showing up. It’s like setting off an alarm that doesn’t ring – you’re left unaware of the potential problem. The absence of these events has a ripple effect, impacting not just the immediate test but also the broader validation process. It undermines the confidence in our testing methodology and raises concerns about the overall quality of the system. Resolving this issue is not just about fixing a bug; it's about ensuring the integrity and reliability of our entire testing framework. By addressing this problem head-on, we can reinforce the foundation of our development process and build a more robust and trustworthy system.

Reproduction Steps: How to Recreate the Issue

Alright, let's talk about how we can actually see this issue in action. If you want to reproduce this bug, here's a step-by-step guide. Think of it as your recipe for disaster (in a good way, because we're finding and fixing it!).

1. First things first, you need to compile the sample app. We're using the All-cluster app for this. To do this, you'll use this command in the connectedhomeip folder:

   ./scripts/run_in_build_env.sh "./scripts/build/build_examples.py --target linux-arm64-all-clusters-no-ble-asan-clang build"
   

   This command essentially sets up the build environment and compiles the All-cluster app for a Linux-based system with specific configurations. It's like preparing the ingredients before you start cooking – we need to make sure we have the right components in place before we can proceed. The options included in this command, such as linux-arm64 and no-ble, specify the target architecture and disable certain features, allowing us to tailor the build to our specific testing environment. This step ensures that the compiled application is compatible with our testing platform and that we can proceed with the subsequent steps without any compatibility issues. The --asan-clang part refers to AddressSanitizer, a memory error detector, which is disabled here, potentially to avoid interference with the testing process or to optimize build times. Overall, this initial step is crucial for setting the stage for accurate and consistent testing, as it ensures that we are working with a build that matches our intended configuration.

2. Next up, we build the app itself. Run this command:

   scripts/examples/gn_build_example.sh examples/all-clusters-app/linux/ examples/all-clusters-app/linux/out/all-clusters-app chip_inet_config_enable_ipv4=false
   

   This command uses the gn_build_example.sh script to build the All-clusters app specifically for a Linux environment. It’s like assembling the dish after you’ve prepped all the ingredients – you’re putting everything together into a cohesive whole. The script takes the source files located in examples/all-clusters-app/linux/ and compiles them into an executable, placing the output in the examples/all-clusters-app/linux/out/all-clusters-app directory. The chip_inet_config_enable_ipv4=false part is important because it disables IPv4 support in the build. This is often done to ensure that the application uses IPv6, which is the more modern internet protocol and is frequently required in many testing and production environments. By disabling IPv4, we can ensure that the application behaves correctly in IPv6-only networks and that we are testing the application under the desired network configuration. This build step is crucial for creating an executable that we can deploy and test, and the specific configurations included here ensure that we are testing the application in the intended environment.

3. Now, commission the Device Under Test (DUT) to the Test Harness (TH). Think of this as connecting your device to the testing system so it can be controlled and monitored.

   Commissioning is the process of adding a device to a network or system, allowing it to communicate and interact with other devices. In this context, it involves establishing a connection between the Device Under Test (DUT), which is the device we are testing, and the Test Harness (TH), which is the system used to control and monitor the DUT. This step is crucial for enabling the TH to send commands to the DUT and receive feedback, such as event notifications, which is what we are trying to validate in this scenario. Commissioning typically involves configuring network settings, authenticating the device, and establishing security protocols. The specific steps may vary depending on the technology and protocols being used. Once commissioned, the DUT is ready to participate in tests, and the TH can orchestrate these tests and collect the results. Without proper commissioning, the DUT would be isolated and unable to communicate with the TH, making it impossible to perform any meaningful testing. This step sets the stage for the subsequent tests and is essential for the overall validation process.

4. Open a second terminal on the DUT. We need this to send commands and trigger the event. Then, get the PID (Process ID) of the DUT using:

   ps -aef | grep all-clusters-app
   

   This command is used to identify the process ID (PID) of the All-clusters app running on the Device Under Test (DUT). It’s like finding the exact address of the program so we can send messages to it directly. The ps -aef command lists all processes running on the system, and the grep all-clusters-app part filters the output to only show lines that contain