Framework and Automation Levels for AI-Assisted Network Protocol Testing

This document presents an AI-assisted framework for automating the testing of network protocol implementations. The proposed framework consists of components such as protocol formalization, test case generation, test script and configuration generation, and iterative refinement through feedback mechanisms. In addition, the document defines a set of Automation Maturity Levels for network protocol testing, ranging from fully manual procedures (Level 0) to fully autonomous and adaptive systems (Level 5), providing a structured approach to evaluating and advancing automation capabilities. Leveraging recent advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly large language models (LLMs), the framework illustrates how AI technologies can be applied to enhance the efficiency, scalability, and consistency of protocol testing. This document serves both as a reference architecture and as a roadmap to guide the evolution of protocol testing practices in light of emerging AI capabilities.