Revert "VPP-1508 python3 tests: raw_input"
[vpp.git] / test / framework.py
index b3cbb08..ca15202 100644 (file)
@@ -1,20 +1,56 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python
 
 #!/usr/bin/env python
 
-import subprocess
+from __future__ import print_function
+import gc
+import sys
+import os
+import select
 import unittest
 import tempfile
 import time
 import unittest
 import tempfile
 import time
-import resource
-from time import sleep
-from Queue import Queue
-from threading import Thread
-from inspect import getdoc
-from hook import StepHook, PollHook
+import faulthandler
+import random
+import copy
+import psutil
+from collections import deque
+from threading import Thread, Event
+from inspect import getdoc, isclass
+from traceback import format_exception
+from logging import FileHandler, DEBUG, Formatter
+from scapy.packet import Raw
+from hook import StepHook, PollHook, VppDiedError
 from vpp_pg_interface import VppPGInterface
 from vpp_pg_interface import VppPGInterface
+from vpp_sub_interface import VppSubInterface
 from vpp_lo_interface import VppLoInterface
 from vpp_papi_provider import VppPapiProvider
 from vpp_lo_interface import VppLoInterface
 from vpp_papi_provider import VppPapiProvider
-from scapy.packet import Raw
-from log import *
+from vpp_papi.vpp_stats import VPPStats
+from log import RED, GREEN, YELLOW, double_line_delim, single_line_delim, \
+    get_logger, colorize
+from vpp_object import VppObjectRegistry
+from util import ppp, is_core_present
+from scapy.layers.inet import IPerror, TCPerror, UDPerror, ICMPerror
+from scapy.layers.inet6 import ICMPv6DestUnreach, ICMPv6EchoRequest
+from scapy.layers.inet6 import ICMPv6EchoReply
+if os.name == 'posix' and sys.version_info[0] < 3:
+    # using subprocess32 is recommended by python official documentation
+    # @ https://docs.python.org/2/library/subprocess.html
+    import subprocess32 as subprocess
+else:
+    import subprocess
+
+
+PASS = 0
+FAIL = 1
+ERROR = 2
+SKIP = 3
+TEST_RUN = 4
+
+
+debug_framework = False
+if os.getenv('TEST_DEBUG', "0") == "1":
+    debug_framework = True
+    import debug_internal
+
 
 """
   Test framework module.
 
 """
   Test framework module.
@@ -37,13 +73,110 @@ class _PacketInfo(object):
     #: Store the index of the destination packet generator interface
     #: of the packet.
     dst = -1
     #: Store the index of the destination packet generator interface
     #: of the packet.
     dst = -1
+    #: Store expected ip version
+    ip = -1
+    #: Store expected upper protocol
+    proto = -1
     #: Store the copy of the former packet.
     data = None
 
     #: Store the copy of the former packet.
     data = None
 
+    def __eq__(self, other):
+        index = self.index == other.index
+        src = self.src == other.src
+        dst = self.dst == other.dst
+        data = self.data == other.data
+        return index and src and dst and data
+
+
+def pump_output(testclass):
+    """ pump output from vpp stdout/stderr to proper queues """
+    stdout_fragment = ""
+    stderr_fragment = ""
+    while not testclass.pump_thread_stop_flag.is_set():
+        readable = select.select([testclass.vpp.stdout.fileno(),
+                                  testclass.vpp.stderr.fileno(),
+                                  testclass.pump_thread_wakeup_pipe[0]],
+                                 [], [])[0]
+        if testclass.vpp.stdout.fileno() in readable:
+            read = os.read(testclass.vpp.stdout.fileno(), 102400)
+            if len(read) > 0:
+                split = read.splitlines(True)
+                if len(stdout_fragment) > 0:
+                    split[0] = "%s%s" % (stdout_fragment, split[0])
+                if len(split) > 0 and split[-1].endswith("\n"):
+                    limit = None
+                else:
+                    limit = -1
+                    stdout_fragment = split[-1]
+                testclass.vpp_stdout_deque.extend(split[:limit])
+                if not testclass.cache_vpp_output:
+                    for line in split[:limit]:
+                        testclass.logger.debug(
+                            "VPP STDOUT: %s" % line.rstrip("\n"))
+        if testclass.vpp.stderr.fileno() in readable:
+            read = os.read(testclass.vpp.stderr.fileno(), 102400)
+            if len(read) > 0:
+                split = read.splitlines(True)
+                if len(stderr_fragment) > 0:
+                    split[0] = "%s%s" % (stderr_fragment, split[0])
+                if len(split) > 0 and split[-1].endswith("\n"):
+                    limit = None
+                else:
+                    limit = -1
+                    stderr_fragment = split[-1]
+                testclass.vpp_stderr_deque.extend(split[:limit])
+                if not testclass.cache_vpp_output:
+                    for line in split[:limit]:
+                        testclass.logger.debug(
+                            "VPP STDERR: %s" % line.rstrip("\n"))
+        # ignoring the dummy pipe here intentionally - the flag will take care
+        # of properly terminating the loop
+
+
+def running_extended_tests():
+    s = os.getenv("EXTENDED_TESTS", "n")
+    return True if s.lower() in ("y", "yes", "1") else False
+
+
+def running_on_centos():
+    os_id = os.getenv("OS_ID", "")
+    return True if "centos" in os_id.lower() else False
+
+
+class KeepAliveReporter(object):
+    """
+    Singleton object which reports test start to parent process
+    """
+    _shared_state = {}
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.__dict__ = self._shared_state
+        self._pipe = None
 
 
-def pump_output(out, queue):
-    for line in iter(out.readline, b''):
-        queue.put(line)
+    @property
+    def pipe(self):
+        return self._pipe
+
+    @pipe.setter
+    def pipe(self, pipe):
+        if self._pipe is not None:
+            raise Exception("Internal error - pipe should only be set once.")
+        self._pipe = pipe
+
+    def send_keep_alive(self, test, desc=None):
+        """
+        Write current test tmpdir & desc to keep-alive pipe to signal liveness
+        """
+        if self.pipe is None:
+            # if not running forked..
+            return
+
+        if isclass(test):
+            desc = '%s (%s)' % (desc, unittest.util.strclass(test))
+        else:
+            desc = test.id()
+
+        self.pipe.send((desc, test.vpp_bin, test.tempdir, test.vpp.pid))
 
 
 class VppTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
 
 class VppTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
@@ -56,9 +189,13 @@ class VppTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         """List of packet infos"""
         return self._packet_infos
 
         """List of packet infos"""
         return self._packet_infos
 
-    @packet_infos.setter
-    def packet_infos(self, value):
-        self._packet_infos = value
+    @classmethod
+    def get_packet_count_for_if_idx(cls, dst_if_index):
+        """Get the number of packet info for specified destination if index"""
+        if dst_if_index in cls._packet_count_for_dst_if_idx:
+            return cls._packet_count_for_dst_if_idx[dst_if_index]
+        else:
+            return 0
 
     @classmethod
     def instance(cls):
 
     @classmethod
     def instance(cls):
@@ -74,10 +211,6 @@ class VppTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
             return
         dl = d.lower()
         if dl == "core":
             return
         dl = d.lower()
         if dl == "core":
-            if resource.getrlimit(resource.RLIMIT_CORE)[0] <= 0:
-                # give a heads up if this is actually useless
-                cls.logger.critical("WARNING: core size limit is set 0, core "
-                                    "files will NOT be created")
             cls.debug_core = True
         elif dl == "gdb":
             cls.debug_gdb = True
             cls.debug_core = True
         elif dl == "gdb":
             cls.debug_gdb = True
@@ -86,29 +219,90 @@ class VppTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         else:
             raise Exception("Unrecognized DEBUG option: '%s'" % d)
 
         else:
             raise Exception("Unrecognized DEBUG option: '%s'" % d)
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def get_least_used_cpu():
+        cpu_usage_list = [set(range(psutil.cpu_count()))]
+        vpp_processes = [p for p in psutil.process_iter(attrs=['pid', 'name'])
+                         if 'vpp_main' == p.info['name']]
+        for vpp_process in vpp_processes:
+            for cpu_usage_set in cpu_usage_list:
+                try:
+                    cpu_num = vpp_process.cpu_num()
+                    if cpu_num in cpu_usage_set:
+                        cpu_usage_set_index = cpu_usage_list.index(
+                            cpu_usage_set)
+                        if cpu_usage_set_index == len(cpu_usage_list) - 1:
+                            cpu_usage_list.append({cpu_num})
+                        else:
+                            cpu_usage_list[cpu_usage_set_index + 1].add(
+                                cpu_num)
+                        cpu_usage_set.remove(cpu_num)
+                        break
+                except psutil.NoSuchProcess:
+                    pass
+
+        for cpu_usage_set in cpu_usage_list:
+            if len(cpu_usage_set) > 0:
+                min_usage_set = cpu_usage_set
+                break
+
+        return random.choice(tuple(min_usage_set))
+
+    @classmethod
+    def print_header(cls):
+        if not hasattr(cls, '_header_printed'):
+            print(double_line_delim)
+            print(colorize(getdoc(cls).splitlines()[0], GREEN))
+            print(double_line_delim)
+            cls._header_printed = True
+
     @classmethod
     def setUpConstants(cls):
         """ Set-up the test case class based on environment variables """
     @classmethod
     def setUpConstants(cls):
         """ Set-up the test case class based on environment variables """
-        try:
-            s = os.getenv("STEP")
-            cls.step = True if s.lower() in ("y", "yes", "1") else False
-        except:
-            cls.step = False
-        try:
-            d = os.getenv("DEBUG")
-        except:
-            d = None
+        s = os.getenv("STEP", "n")
+        cls.step = True if s.lower() in ("y", "yes", "1") else False
+        d = os.getenv("DEBUG", None)
+        c = os.getenv("CACHE_OUTPUT", "1")
+        cls.cache_vpp_output = False if c.lower() in ("n", "no", "0") else True
         cls.set_debug_flags(d)
         cls.vpp_bin = os.getenv('VPP_TEST_BIN', "vpp")
         cls.plugin_path = os.getenv('VPP_TEST_PLUGIN_PATH')
         cls.set_debug_flags(d)
         cls.vpp_bin = os.getenv('VPP_TEST_BIN', "vpp")
         cls.plugin_path = os.getenv('VPP_TEST_PLUGIN_PATH')
+        cls.extern_plugin_path = os.getenv('EXTERN_PLUGINS')
+        plugin_path = None
+        if cls.plugin_path is not None:
+            if cls.extern_plugin_path is not None:
+                plugin_path = "%s:%s" % (
+                    cls.plugin_path, cls.extern_plugin_path)
+            else:
+                plugin_path = cls.plugin_path
+        elif cls.extern_plugin_path is not None:
+            plugin_path = cls.extern_plugin_path
         debug_cli = ""
         if cls.step or cls.debug_gdb or cls.debug_gdbserver:
             debug_cli = "cli-listen localhost:5002"
         debug_cli = ""
         if cls.step or cls.debug_gdb or cls.debug_gdbserver:
             debug_cli = "cli-listen localhost:5002"
-        cls.vpp_cmdline = [cls.vpp_bin, "unix", "{", "nodaemon", debug_cli, "}",
-                           "api-segment", "{", "prefix", cls.shm_prefix, "}"]
-        if cls.plugin_path is not None:
-            cls.vpp_cmdline.extend(["plugin_path", cls.plugin_path])
-        cls.logger.info("vpp_cmdline: %s" % cls.vpp_cmdline)
+        coredump_size = None
+        size = os.getenv("COREDUMP_SIZE")
+        if size is not None:
+            coredump_size = "coredump-size %s" % size
+        if coredump_size is None:
+            coredump_size = "coredump-size unlimited"
+
+        cpu_core_number = cls.get_least_used_cpu()
+
+        cls.vpp_cmdline = [cls.vpp_bin, "unix",
+                           "{", "nodaemon", debug_cli, "full-coredump",
+                           coredump_size, "runtime-dir", cls.tempdir, "}",
+                           "api-trace", "{", "on", "}", "api-segment", "{",
+                           "prefix", cls.shm_prefix, "}", "cpu", "{",
+                           "main-core", str(cpu_core_number), "}", "statseg",
+                           "{", "socket-name", cls.stats_sock, "}", "plugins",
+                           "{", "plugin", "dpdk_plugin.so", "{", "disable",
+                           "}", "plugin", "unittest_plugin.so", "{", "enable",
+                           "}", "}", ]
+        if plugin_path is not None:
+            cls.vpp_cmdline.extend(["plugin_path", plugin_path])
+        cls.logger.info("vpp_cmdline args: %s" % cls.vpp_cmdline)
+        cls.logger.info("vpp_cmdline: %s" % " ".join(cls.vpp_cmdline))
 
     @classmethod
     def wait_for_enter(cls):
 
     @classmethod
     def wait_for_enter(cls):
@@ -154,68 +348,113 @@ class VppTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
                                        stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
                                        stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
                                        bufsize=1)
                                        stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
                                        stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
                                        bufsize=1)
-        except Exception as e:
+        except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
             cls.logger.critical("Couldn't start vpp: %s" % e)
             raise
 
         cls.wait_for_enter()
 
             cls.logger.critical("Couldn't start vpp: %s" % e)
             raise
 
         cls.wait_for_enter()
 
+    @classmethod
+    def wait_for_stats_socket(cls):
+        deadline = time.time() + 3
+        ok = False
+        while time.time() < deadline or \
+                cls.debug_gdb or cls.debug_gdbserver:
+            if os.path.exists(cls.stats_sock):
+                ok = True
+                break
+            time.sleep(0.8)
+        if not ok:
+            cls.logger.critical("Couldn't stat : {}".format(cls.stats_sock))
+
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         """
         Perform class setup before running the testcase
         Remove shared memory files, start vpp and connect the vpp-api
         """
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         """
         Perform class setup before running the testcase
         Remove shared memory files, start vpp and connect the vpp-api
         """
-        cls.logger = getLogger(cls.__name__)
+        gc.collect()  # run garbage collection first
+        random.seed()
+        cls.print_header()
+        cls.logger = get_logger(cls.__name__)
+        if hasattr(cls, 'parallel_handler'):
+            cls.logger.addHandler(cls.parallel_handler)
+            cls.logger.propagate = False
         cls.tempdir = tempfile.mkdtemp(
         cls.tempdir = tempfile.mkdtemp(
-            prefix='vpp-unittest-' + cls.__name__ + '-')
-        cls.shm_prefix = cls.tempdir.split("/")[-1]
+            prefix='vpp-unittest-%s-' % cls.__name__)
+        cls.stats_sock = "%s/stats.sock" % cls.tempdir
+        cls.file_handler = FileHandler("%s/log.txt" % cls.tempdir)
+        cls.file_handler.setFormatter(
+            Formatter(fmt='%(asctime)s,%(msecs)03d %(message)s',
+                      datefmt="%H:%M:%S"))
+        cls.file_handler.setLevel(DEBUG)
+        cls.logger.addHandler(cls.file_handler)
+        cls.shm_prefix = os.path.basename(cls.tempdir)
         os.chdir(cls.tempdir)
         cls.logger.info("Temporary dir is %s, shm prefix is %s",
                         cls.tempdir, cls.shm_prefix)
         cls.setUpConstants()
         os.chdir(cls.tempdir)
         cls.logger.info("Temporary dir is %s, shm prefix is %s",
                         cls.tempdir, cls.shm_prefix)
         cls.setUpConstants()
-        cls.pg_streams = []
-        cls.packet_infos = {}
+        cls.reset_packet_infos()
+        cls._captures = []
+        cls._zombie_captures = []
         cls.verbose = 0
         cls.vpp_dead = False
         cls.verbose = 0
         cls.vpp_dead = False
-        print(double_line_delim)
-        print(colorize(getdoc(cls).splitlines()[0], YELLOW))
-        print(double_line_delim)
+        cls.registry = VppObjectRegistry()
+        cls.vpp_startup_failed = False
+        cls.reporter = KeepAliveReporter()
         # need to catch exceptions here because if we raise, then the cleanup
         # doesn't get called and we might end with a zombie vpp
         try:
             cls.run_vpp()
         # need to catch exceptions here because if we raise, then the cleanup
         # doesn't get called and we might end with a zombie vpp
         try:
             cls.run_vpp()
-            cls.vpp_stdout_queue = Queue()
-            cls.vpp_stdout_reader_thread = Thread(target=pump_output, args=(
-                cls.vpp.stdout, cls.vpp_stdout_queue))
-            cls.vpp_stdout_reader_thread.start()
-            cls.vpp_stderr_queue = Queue()
-            cls.vpp_stderr_reader_thread = Thread(target=pump_output, args=(
-                cls.vpp.stderr, cls.vpp_stderr_queue))
-            cls.vpp_stderr_reader_thread.start()
-            cls.vapi = VppPapiProvider(cls.shm_prefix, cls.shm_prefix, cls)
+            cls.reporter.send_keep_alive(cls, 'setUpClass')
+            VppTestResult.current_test_case_info = TestCaseInfo(
+                cls.logger, cls.tempdir, cls.vpp.pid, cls.vpp_bin)
+            cls.vpp_stdout_deque = deque()
+            cls.vpp_stderr_deque = deque()
+            cls.pump_thread_stop_flag = Event()
+            cls.pump_thread_wakeup_pipe = os.pipe()
+            cls.pump_thread = Thread(target=pump_output, args=(cls,))
+            cls.pump_thread.daemon = True
+            cls.pump_thread.start()
+            if cls.debug_gdb or cls.debug_gdbserver:
+                read_timeout = 0
+            else:
+                read_timeout = 5
+            cls.vapi = VppPapiProvider(cls.shm_prefix, cls.shm_prefix, cls,
+                                       read_timeout)
             if cls.step:
                 hook = StepHook(cls)
             else:
                 hook = PollHook(cls)
             cls.vapi.register_hook(hook)
             if cls.step:
                 hook = StepHook(cls)
             else:
                 hook = PollHook(cls)
             cls.vapi.register_hook(hook)
-            time.sleep(0.1)
-            hook.poll_vpp()
+            cls.wait_for_stats_socket()
+            cls.statistics = VPPStats(socketname=cls.stats_sock)
+            try:
+                hook.poll_vpp()
+            except VppDiedError:
+                cls.vpp_startup_failed = True
+                cls.logger.critical(
+                    "VPP died shortly after startup, check the"
+                    " output to standard error for possible cause")
+                raise
             try:
                 cls.vapi.connect()
             try:
                 cls.vapi.connect()
-            except:
+            except Exception:
+                try:
+                    cls.vapi.disconnect()
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
                 if cls.debug_gdbserver:
                     print(colorize("You're running VPP inside gdbserver but "
                                    "VPP-API connection failed, did you forget "
                                    "to 'continue' VPP from within gdb?", RED))
                 raise
                 if cls.debug_gdbserver:
                     print(colorize("You're running VPP inside gdbserver but "
                                    "VPP-API connection failed, did you forget "
                                    "to 'continue' VPP from within gdb?", RED))
                 raise
-        except:
-            t, v, tb = sys.exc_info()
+        except Exception:
             try:
                 cls.quit()
             try:
                 cls.quit()
-            except:
+            except Exception:
                 pass
                 pass
-            raise t, v, tb
+            raise
 
     @classmethod
     def quit(cls):
 
     @classmethod
     def quit(cls):
@@ -228,91 +467,169 @@ class VppTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
                 print(double_line_delim)
                 print("VPP or GDB server is still running")
                 print(single_line_delim)
                 print(double_line_delim)
                 print("VPP or GDB server is still running")
                 print(single_line_delim)
-                raw_input("When done debugging, press ENTER to kill the process"
-                          " and finish running the testcase...")
+                raw_input("When done debugging, press ENTER to kill the "
+                          "process and finish running the testcase...")
+
+        # first signal that we want to stop the pump thread, then wake it up
+        if hasattr(cls, 'pump_thread_stop_flag'):
+            cls.pump_thread_stop_flag.set()
+        if hasattr(cls, 'pump_thread_wakeup_pipe'):
+            os.write(cls.pump_thread_wakeup_pipe[1], 'ding dong wake up')
+        if hasattr(cls, 'pump_thread'):
+            cls.logger.debug("Waiting for pump thread to stop")
+            cls.pump_thread.join()
+        if hasattr(cls, 'vpp_stderr_reader_thread'):
+            cls.logger.debug("Waiting for stdderr pump to stop")
+            cls.vpp_stderr_reader_thread.join()
 
         if hasattr(cls, 'vpp'):
             if hasattr(cls, 'vapi'):
                 cls.vapi.disconnect()
 
         if hasattr(cls, 'vpp'):
             if hasattr(cls, 'vapi'):
                 cls.vapi.disconnect()
+                del cls.vapi
             cls.vpp.poll()
             if cls.vpp.returncode is None:
             cls.vpp.poll()
             if cls.vpp.returncode is None:
-                cls.vpp.terminate()
+                cls.logger.debug("Sending TERM to vpp")
+                cls.vpp.kill()
+                cls.logger.debug("Waiting for vpp to die")
+                cls.vpp.communicate()
             del cls.vpp
 
             del cls.vpp
 
-        if hasattr(cls, 'vpp_stdout_queue'):
-            cls.logger.info(single_line_delim)
-            cls.logger.info('VPP output to stdout while running %s:',
-                            cls.__name__)
-            cls.logger.info(single_line_delim)
-            f = open(cls.tempdir + '/vpp_stdout.txt', 'w')
-            while not cls.vpp_stdout_queue.empty():
-                line = cls.vpp_stdout_queue.get_nowait()
-                f.write(line)
-                cls.logger.info('VPP stdout: %s' % line.rstrip('\n'))
-
-        if hasattr(cls, 'vpp_stderr_queue'):
-            cls.logger.info(single_line_delim)
-            cls.logger.info('VPP output to stderr while running %s:',
-                            cls.__name__)
-            cls.logger.info(single_line_delim)
-            f = open(cls.tempdir + '/vpp_stderr.txt', 'w')
-            while not cls.vpp_stderr_queue.empty():
-                line = cls.vpp_stderr_queue.get_nowait()
-                f.write(line)
-                cls.logger.info('VPP stderr: %s' % line.rstrip('\n'))
-            cls.logger.info(single_line_delim)
+        if cls.vpp_startup_failed:
+            stdout_log = cls.logger.info
+            stderr_log = cls.logger.critical
+        else:
+            stdout_log = cls.logger.info
+            stderr_log = cls.logger.info
+
+        if hasattr(cls, 'vpp_stdout_deque'):
+            stdout_log(single_line_delim)
+            stdout_log('VPP output to stdout while running %s:', cls.__name__)
+            stdout_log(single_line_delim)
+            vpp_output = "".join(cls.vpp_stdout_deque)
+            with open(cls.tempdir + '/vpp_stdout.txt', 'w') as f:
+                f.write(vpp_output)
+            stdout_log('\n%s', vpp_output)
+            stdout_log(single_line_delim)
+
+        if hasattr(cls, 'vpp_stderr_deque'):
+            stderr_log(single_line_delim)
+            stderr_log('VPP output to stderr while running %s:', cls.__name__)
+            stderr_log(single_line_delim)
+            vpp_output = "".join(cls.vpp_stderr_deque)
+            with open(cls.tempdir + '/vpp_stderr.txt', 'w') as f:
+                f.write(vpp_output)
+            stderr_log('\n%s', vpp_output)
+            stderr_log(single_line_delim)
 
     @classmethod
     def tearDownClass(cls):
         """ Perform final cleanup after running all tests in this test-case """
 
     @classmethod
     def tearDownClass(cls):
         """ Perform final cleanup after running all tests in this test-case """
+        cls.reporter.send_keep_alive(cls, 'tearDownClass')
         cls.quit()
         cls.quit()
+        cls.file_handler.close()
+        cls.reset_packet_infos()
+        if debug_framework:
+            debug_internal.on_tear_down_class(cls)
 
     def tearDown(self):
         """ Show various debug prints after each test """
 
     def tearDown(self):
         """ Show various debug prints after each test """
+        self.logger.debug("--- tearDown() for %s.%s(%s) called ---" %
+                          (self.__class__.__name__, self._testMethodName,
+                           self._testMethodDoc))
         if not self.vpp_dead:
             self.logger.debug(self.vapi.cli("show trace"))
         if not self.vpp_dead:
             self.logger.debug(self.vapi.cli("show trace"))
-            self.logger.info(self.vapi.ppcli("show int"))
+            self.logger.info(self.vapi.ppcli("show interface"))
             self.logger.info(self.vapi.ppcli("show hardware"))
             self.logger.info(self.vapi.ppcli("show hardware"))
-            self.logger.info(self.vapi.ppcli("show error"))
+            self.logger.info(self.statistics.set_errors_str())
             self.logger.info(self.vapi.ppcli("show run"))
             self.logger.info(self.vapi.ppcli("show run"))
+            self.logger.info(self.vapi.ppcli("show log"))
+            self.registry.remove_vpp_config(self.logger)
+            # Save/Dump VPP api trace log
+            api_trace = "vpp_api_trace.%s.log" % self._testMethodName
+            tmp_api_trace = "/tmp/%s" % api_trace
+            vpp_api_trace_log = "%s/%s" % (self.tempdir, api_trace)
+            self.logger.info(self.vapi.ppcli("api trace save %s" % api_trace))
+            self.logger.info("Moving %s to %s\n" % (tmp_api_trace,
+                                                    vpp_api_trace_log))
+            os.rename(tmp_api_trace, vpp_api_trace_log)
+            self.logger.info(self.vapi.ppcli("api trace custom-dump %s" %
+                                             vpp_api_trace_log))
+        else:
+            self.registry.unregister_all(self.logger)
 
     def setUp(self):
         """ Clear trace before running each test"""
 
     def setUp(self):
         """ Clear trace before running each test"""
+        self.reporter.send_keep_alive(self)
+        self.logger.debug("--- setUp() for %s.%s(%s) called ---" %
+                          (self.__class__.__name__, self._testMethodName,
+                           self._testMethodDoc))
+        if self.vpp_dead:
+            raise Exception("VPP is dead when setting up the test")
+        self.sleep(.1, "during setUp")
+        self.vpp_stdout_deque.append(
+            "--- test setUp() for %s.%s(%s) starts here ---\n" %
+            (self.__class__.__name__, self._testMethodName,
+             self._testMethodDoc))
+        self.vpp_stderr_deque.append(
+            "--- test setUp() for %s.%s(%s) starts here ---\n" %
+            (self.__class__.__name__, self._testMethodName,
+             self._testMethodDoc))
         self.vapi.cli("clear trace")
         # store the test instance inside the test class - so that objects
         # holding the class can access instance methods (like assertEqual)
         type(self).test_instance = self
 
     @classmethod
         self.vapi.cli("clear trace")
         # store the test instance inside the test class - so that objects
         # holding the class can access instance methods (like assertEqual)
         type(self).test_instance = self
 
     @classmethod
-    def pg_enable_capture(cls, interfaces):
+    def pg_enable_capture(cls, interfaces=None):
         """
         Enable capture on packet-generator interfaces
 
         """
         Enable capture on packet-generator interfaces
 
-        :param interfaces: iterable interface indexes
+        :param interfaces: iterable interface indexes (if None,
+                           use self.pg_interfaces)
 
         """
 
         """
+        if interfaces is None:
+            interfaces = cls.pg_interfaces
         for i in interfaces:
             i.enable_capture()
 
         for i in interfaces:
             i.enable_capture()
 
+    @classmethod
+    def register_capture(cls, cap_name):
+        """ Register a capture in the testclass """
+        # add to the list of captures with current timestamp
+        cls._captures.append((time.time(), cap_name))
+        # filter out from zombies
+        cls._zombie_captures = [(stamp, name)
+                                for (stamp, name) in cls._zombie_captures
+                                if name != cap_name]
+
     @classmethod
     def pg_start(cls):
     @classmethod
     def pg_start(cls):
-        """
-        Enable the packet-generator and send all prepared packet streams
-        Remove the packet streams afterwards
-        """
+        """ Remove any zombie captures and enable the packet generator """
+        # how long before capture is allowed to be deleted - otherwise vpp
+        # crashes - 100ms seems enough (this shouldn't be needed at all)
+        capture_ttl = 0.1
+        now = time.time()
+        for stamp, cap_name in cls._zombie_captures:
+            wait = stamp + capture_ttl - now
+            if wait > 0:
+                cls.sleep(wait, "before deleting capture %s" % cap_name)
+                now = time.time()
+            cls.logger.debug("Removing zombie capture %s" % cap_name)
+            cls.vapi.cli('packet-generator delete %s' % cap_name)
+
         cls.vapi.cli("trace add pg-input 50")  # 50 is maximum
         cls.vapi.cli('packet-generator enable')
         cls.vapi.cli("trace add pg-input 50")  # 50 is maximum
         cls.vapi.cli('packet-generator enable')
-        sleep(1)  # give VPP some time to process the packets
-        for stream in cls.pg_streams:
-            cls.vapi.cli('packet-generator delete %s' % stream)
-        cls.pg_streams = []
+        cls._zombie_captures = cls._captures
+        cls._captures = []
 
     @classmethod
     def create_pg_interfaces(cls, interfaces):
         """
 
     @classmethod
     def create_pg_interfaces(cls, interfaces):
         """
-        Create packet-generator interfaces
+        Create packet-generator interfaces.
 
 
-        :param interfaces: iterable indexes of the interfaces
+        :param interfaces: iterable indexes of the interfaces.
+        :returns: List of created interfaces.
 
         """
         result = []
 
         """
         result = []
@@ -324,61 +641,67 @@ class VppTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         return result
 
     @classmethod
         return result
 
     @classmethod
-    def create_loopback_interfaces(cls, interfaces):
+    def create_loopback_interfaces(cls, count):
         """
         """
-        Create loopback interfaces
-
-        :param interfaces: iterable indexes of the interfaces
+        Create loopback interfaces.
 
 
+        :param count: number of interfaces created.
+        :returns: List of created interfaces.
         """
         """
-        result = []
-        for i in interfaces:
-            intf = VppLoInterface(cls, i)
+        result = [VppLoInterface(cls) for i in range(count)]
+        for intf in result:
             setattr(cls, intf.name, intf)
             setattr(cls, intf.name, intf)
-            result.append(intf)
         cls.lo_interfaces = result
         return result
 
     @staticmethod
         cls.lo_interfaces = result
         return result
 
     @staticmethod
-    def extend_packet(packet, size):
+    def extend_packet(packet, size, padding=' '):
         """
         """
-        Extend packet to given size by padding with spaces
+        Extend packet to given size by padding with spaces or custom padding
         NOTE: Currently works only when Raw layer is present.
 
         :param packet: packet
         :param size: target size
         NOTE: Currently works only when Raw layer is present.
 
         :param packet: packet
         :param size: target size
+        :param padding: padding used to extend the payload
 
         """
         packet_len = len(packet) + 4
         extend = size - packet_len
         if extend > 0:
 
         """
         packet_len = len(packet) + 4
         extend = size - packet_len
         if extend > 0:
-            packet[Raw].load += ' ' * extend
-
-    def add_packet_info_to_list(self, info):
-        """
-        Add packet info to the testcase's packet info list
-
-        :param info: packet info
+            num = (extend / len(padding)) + 1
+            packet[Raw].load += (padding * num)[:extend]
 
 
-        """
-        info.index = len(self.packet_infos)
-        self.packet_infos[info.index] = info
+    @classmethod
+    def reset_packet_infos(cls):
+        """ Reset the list of packet info objects and packet counts to zero """
+        cls._packet_infos = {}
+        cls._packet_count_for_dst_if_idx = {}
 
 
-    def create_packet_info(self, src_pg_index, dst_pg_index):
+    @classmethod
+    def create_packet_info(cls, src_if, dst_if):
         """
         Create packet info object containing the source and destination indexes
         and add it to the testcase's packet info list
 
         """
         Create packet info object containing the source and destination indexes
         and add it to the testcase's packet info list
 
-        :param src_pg_index: source packet-generator index
-        :param dst_pg_index: destination packet-generator index
+        :param VppInterface src_if: source interface
+        :param VppInterface dst_if: destination interface
 
         :returns: _PacketInfo object
 
         """
         info = _PacketInfo()
 
         :returns: _PacketInfo object
 
         """
         info = _PacketInfo()
-        self.add_packet_info_to_list(info)
-        info.src = src_pg_index
-        info.dst = dst_pg_index
+        info.index = len(cls._packet_infos)
+        info.src = src_if.sw_if_index
+        info.dst = dst_if.sw_if_index
+        if isinstance(dst_if, VppSubInterface):
+            dst_idx = dst_if.parent.sw_if_index
+        else:
+            dst_idx = dst_if.sw_if_index
+        if dst_idx in cls._packet_count_for_dst_if_idx:
+            cls._packet_count_for_dst_if_idx[dst_idx] += 1
+        else:
+            cls._packet_count_for_dst_if_idx[dst_idx] = 1
+        cls._packet_infos[info.index] = info
         return info
 
     @staticmethod
         return info
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -390,7 +713,8 @@ class VppTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
         :returns: string containing serialized data from packet info
         """
 
         :returns: string containing serialized data from packet info
         """
-        return "%d %d %d" % (info.index, info.src, info.dst)
+        return "%d %d %d %d %d" % (info.index, info.src, info.dst,
+                                   info.ip, info.proto)
 
     @staticmethod
     def payload_to_info(payload):
 
     @staticmethod
     def payload_to_info(payload):
@@ -407,6 +731,8 @@ class VppTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         info.index = int(numbers[0])
         info.src = int(numbers[1])
         info.dst = int(numbers[2])
         info.index = int(numbers[0])
         info.src = int(numbers[1])
         info.dst = int(numbers[2])
+        info.ip = int(numbers[3])
+        info.proto = int(numbers[4])
         return info
 
     def get_next_packet_info(self, info):
         return info
 
     def get_next_packet_info(self, info):
@@ -422,10 +748,10 @@ class VppTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
             next_index = 0
         else:
             next_index = info.index + 1
             next_index = 0
         else:
             next_index = info.index + 1
-        if next_index == len(self.packet_infos):
+        if next_index == len(self._packet_infos):
             return None
         else:
             return None
         else:
-            return self.packet_infos[next_index]
+            return self._packet_infos[next_index]
 
     def get_next_packet_info_for_interface(self, src_index, info):
         """
 
     def get_next_packet_info_for_interface(self, src_index, info):
         """
@@ -462,6 +788,218 @@ class VppTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
             if info.dst == dst_index:
                 return info
 
             if info.dst == dst_index:
                 return info
 
+    def assert_equal(self, real_value, expected_value, name_or_class=None):
+        if name_or_class is None:
+            self.assertEqual(real_value, expected_value)
+            return
+        try:
+            msg = "Invalid %s: %d('%s') does not match expected value %d('%s')"
+            msg = msg % (getdoc(name_or_class).strip(),
+                         real_value, str(name_or_class(real_value)),
+                         expected_value, str(name_or_class(expected_value)))
+        except Exception:
+            msg = "Invalid %s: %s does not match expected value %s" % (
+                name_or_class, real_value, expected_value)
+
+        self.assertEqual(real_value, expected_value, msg)
+
+    def assert_in_range(self,
+                        real_value,
+                        expected_min,
+                        expected_max,
+                        name=None):
+        if name is None:
+            msg = None
+        else:
+            msg = "Invalid %s: %s out of range <%s,%s>" % (
+                name, real_value, expected_min, expected_max)
+        self.assertTrue(expected_min <= real_value <= expected_max, msg)
+
+    def assert_packet_checksums_valid(self, packet,
+                                      ignore_zero_udp_checksums=True):
+        received = packet.__class__(str(packet))
+        self.logger.debug(
+            ppp("Verifying packet checksums for packet:", received))
+        udp_layers = ['UDP', 'UDPerror']
+        checksum_fields = ['cksum', 'chksum']
+        checksums = []
+        counter = 0
+        temp = received.__class__(str(received))
+        while True:
+            layer = temp.getlayer(counter)
+            if layer:
+                for cf in checksum_fields:
+                    if hasattr(layer, cf):
+                        if ignore_zero_udp_checksums and \
+                                0 == getattr(layer, cf) and \
+                                layer.name in udp_layers:
+                            continue
+                        delattr(layer, cf)
+                        checksums.append((counter, cf))
+            else:
+                break
+            counter = counter + 1
+        if 0 == len(checksums):
+            return
+        temp = temp.__class__(str(temp))
+        for layer, cf in checksums:
+            calc_sum = getattr(temp[layer], cf)
+            self.assert_equal(
+                getattr(received[layer], cf), calc_sum,
+                "packet checksum on layer #%d: %s" % (layer, temp[layer].name))
+            self.logger.debug(
+                "Checksum field `%s` on `%s` layer has correct value `%s`" %
+                (cf, temp[layer].name, calc_sum))
+
+    def assert_checksum_valid(self, received_packet, layer,
+                              field_name='chksum',
+                              ignore_zero_checksum=False):
+        """ Check checksum of received packet on given layer """
+        received_packet_checksum = getattr(received_packet[layer], field_name)
+        if ignore_zero_checksum and 0 == received_packet_checksum:
+            return
+        recalculated = received_packet.__class__(str(received_packet))
+        delattr(recalculated[layer], field_name)
+        recalculated = recalculated.__class__(str(recalculated))
+        self.assert_equal(received_packet_checksum,
+                          getattr(recalculated[layer], field_name),
+                          "packet checksum on layer: %s" % layer)
+
+    def assert_ip_checksum_valid(self, received_packet,
+                                 ignore_zero_checksum=False):
+        self.assert_checksum_valid(received_packet, 'IP',
+                                   ignore_zero_checksum=ignore_zero_checksum)
+
+    def assert_tcp_checksum_valid(self, received_packet,
+                                  ignore_zero_checksum=False):
+        self.assert_checksum_valid(received_packet, 'TCP',
+                                   ignore_zero_checksum=ignore_zero_checksum)
+
+    def assert_udp_checksum_valid(self, received_packet,
+                                  ignore_zero_checksum=True):
+        self.assert_checksum_valid(received_packet, 'UDP',
+                                   ignore_zero_checksum=ignore_zero_checksum)
+
+    def assert_embedded_icmp_checksum_valid(self, received_packet):
+        if received_packet.haslayer(IPerror):
+            self.assert_checksum_valid(received_packet, 'IPerror')
+        if received_packet.haslayer(TCPerror):
+            self.assert_checksum_valid(received_packet, 'TCPerror')
+        if received_packet.haslayer(UDPerror):
+            self.assert_checksum_valid(received_packet, 'UDPerror',
+                                       ignore_zero_checksum=True)
+        if received_packet.haslayer(ICMPerror):
+            self.assert_checksum_valid(received_packet, 'ICMPerror')
+
+    def assert_icmp_checksum_valid(self, received_packet):
+        self.assert_checksum_valid(received_packet, 'ICMP')
+        self.assert_embedded_icmp_checksum_valid(received_packet)
+
+    def assert_icmpv6_checksum_valid(self, pkt):
+        if pkt.haslayer(ICMPv6DestUnreach):
+            self.assert_checksum_valid(pkt, 'ICMPv6DestUnreach', 'cksum')
+            self.assert_embedded_icmp_checksum_valid(pkt)
+        if pkt.haslayer(ICMPv6EchoRequest):
+            self.assert_checksum_valid(pkt, 'ICMPv6EchoRequest', 'cksum')
+        if pkt.haslayer(ICMPv6EchoReply):
+            self.assert_checksum_valid(pkt, 'ICMPv6EchoReply', 'cksum')
+
+    def assert_packet_counter_equal(self, counter, expected_value):
+        counters = self.vapi.cli("sh errors").split('\n')
+        counter_value = -1
+        for i in range(1, len(counters)-1):
+            results = counters[i].split()
+            if results[1] == counter:
+                counter_value = int(results[0])
+                break
+        self.assert_equal(counter_value, expected_value,
+                          "packet counter `%s'" % counter)
+
+    @classmethod
+    def sleep(cls, timeout, remark=None):
+        if hasattr(cls, 'logger'):
+            cls.logger.debug("Starting sleep for %ss (%s)" % (timeout, remark))
+        before = time.time()
+        time.sleep(timeout)
+        after = time.time()
+        if after - before > 2 * timeout:
+            cls.logger.error("unexpected time.sleep() result - "
+                             "slept for %ss instead of ~%ss!" % (
+                                 after - before, timeout))
+        if hasattr(cls, 'logger'):
+            cls.logger.debug(
+                "Finished sleep (%s) - slept %ss (wanted %ss)" % (
+                    remark, after - before, timeout))
+
+    def send_and_assert_no_replies(self, intf, pkts, remark="", timeout=None):
+        self.vapi.cli("clear trace")
+        intf.add_stream(pkts)
+        self.pg_enable_capture(self.pg_interfaces)
+        self.pg_start()
+        if not timeout:
+            timeout = 1
+        for i in self.pg_interfaces:
+            i.get_capture(0, timeout=timeout)
+            i.assert_nothing_captured(remark=remark)
+            timeout = 0.1
+
+    def send_and_expect(self, input, pkts, output):
+        self.vapi.cli("clear trace")
+        input.add_stream(pkts)
+        self.pg_enable_capture(self.pg_interfaces)
+        self.pg_start()
+        if isinstance(object, (list,)):
+            rx = []
+            for o in output:
+                rx.append(output.get_capture(len(pkts)))
+        else:
+            rx = output.get_capture(len(pkts))
+        return rx
+
+    def send_and_expect_only(self, input, pkts, output, timeout=None):
+        self.vapi.cli("clear trace")
+        input.add_stream(pkts)
+        self.pg_enable_capture(self.pg_interfaces)
+        self.pg_start()
+        if isinstance(object, (list,)):
+            outputs = output
+            rx = []
+            for o in outputs:
+                rx.append(output.get_capture(len(pkts)))
+        else:
+            rx = output.get_capture(len(pkts))
+            outputs = [output]
+        if not timeout:
+            timeout = 1
+        for i in self.pg_interfaces:
+            if i not in outputs:
+                i.get_capture(0, timeout=timeout)
+                i.assert_nothing_captured()
+                timeout = 0.1
+
+        return rx
+
+
+def get_testcase_doc_name(test):
+    return getdoc(test.__class__).splitlines()[0]
+
+
+def get_test_description(descriptions, test):
+    short_description = test.shortDescription()
+    if descriptions and short_description:
+        return short_description
+    else:
+        return str(test)
+
+
+class TestCaseInfo(object):
+    def __init__(self, logger, tempdir, vpp_pid, vpp_bin_path):
+        self.logger = logger
+        self.tempdir = tempdir
+        self.vpp_pid = vpp_pid
+        self.vpp_bin_path = vpp_bin_path
+        self.core_crash_test = None
+
 
 class VppTestResult(unittest.TestResult):
     """
 
 class VppTestResult(unittest.TestResult):
     """
@@ -478,12 +1016,16 @@ class VppTestResult(unittest.TestResult):
      methods.
     """
 
      methods.
     """
 
+    failed_test_cases_info = set()
+    core_crash_test_cases_info = set()
+    current_test_case_info = None
+
     def __init__(self, stream, descriptions, verbosity):
         """
     def __init__(self, stream, descriptions, verbosity):
         """
-        :param stream File descriptor to store where to report test results. Set
-            to the standard error stream by default.
-        :param descriptions Boolean variable to store information if to use test
-            case descriptions.
+        :param stream File descriptor to store where to report test results.
+            Set to the standard error stream by default.
+        :param descriptions Boolean variable to store information if to use
+            test case descriptions.
         :param verbosity Integer variable to store required verbosity level.
         """
         unittest.TestResult.__init__(self, stream, descriptions, verbosity)
         :param verbosity Integer variable to store required verbosity level.
         """
         unittest.TestResult.__init__(self, stream, descriptions, verbosity)
@@ -499,9 +1041,16 @@ class VppTestResult(unittest.TestResult):
         :param test:
 
         """
         :param test:
 
         """
+        if self.current_test_case_info:
+            self.current_test_case_info.logger.debug(
+                "--- addSuccess() %s.%s(%s) called" % (test.__class__.__name__,
+                                                       test._testMethodName,
+                                                       test._testMethodDoc))
         unittest.TestResult.addSuccess(self, test)
         self.result_string = colorize("OK", GREEN)
 
         unittest.TestResult.addSuccess(self, test)
         self.result_string = colorize("OK", GREEN)
 
+        self.send_result_through_pipe(test, PASS)
+
     def addSkip(self, test, reason):
         """
         Record a test skipped.
     def addSkip(self, test, reason):
         """
         Record a test skipped.
@@ -510,9 +1059,95 @@ class VppTestResult(unittest.TestResult):
         :param reason:
 
         """
         :param reason:
 
         """
+        if self.current_test_case_info:
+            self.current_test_case_info.logger.debug(
+                "--- addSkip() %s.%s(%s) called, reason is %s" %
+                (test.__class__.__name__, test._testMethodName,
+                 test._testMethodDoc, reason))
         unittest.TestResult.addSkip(self, test, reason)
         self.result_string = colorize("SKIP", YELLOW)
 
         unittest.TestResult.addSkip(self, test, reason)
         self.result_string = colorize("SKIP", YELLOW)
 
+        self.send_result_through_pipe(test, SKIP)
+
+    def symlink_failed(self):
+        if self.current_test_case_info:
+            try:
+                failed_dir = os.getenv('VPP_TEST_FAILED_DIR')
+                link_path = os.path.join(
+                    failed_dir,
+                    '%s-FAILED' %
+                    os.path.basename(self.current_test_case_info.tempdir))
+                if self.current_test_case_info.logger:
+                    self.current_test_case_info.logger.debug(
+                        "creating a link to the failed test")
+                    self.current_test_case_info.logger.debug(
+                        "os.symlink(%s, %s)" %
+                        (self.current_test_case_info.tempdir, link_path))
+                if os.path.exists(link_path):
+                    if self.current_test_case_info.logger:
+                        self.current_test_case_info.logger.debug(
+                            'symlink already exists')
+                else:
+                    os.symlink(self.current_test_case_info.tempdir, link_path)
+
+            except Exception as e:
+                if self.current_test_case_info.logger:
+                    self.current_test_case_info.logger.error(e)
+
+    def send_result_through_pipe(self, test, result):
+        if hasattr(self, 'test_framework_result_pipe'):
+            pipe = self.test_framework_result_pipe
+            if pipe:
+                pipe.send((test.id(), result))
+
+    def log_error(self, test, err, fn_name):
+        if self.current_test_case_info:
+            if isinstance(test, unittest.suite._ErrorHolder):
+                test_name = test.description
+            else:
+                test_name = '%s.%s(%s)' % (test.__class__.__name__,
+                                           test._testMethodName,
+                                           test._testMethodDoc)
+            self.current_test_case_info.logger.debug(
+                "--- %s() %s called, err is %s" %
+                (fn_name, test_name, err))
+            self.current_test_case_info.logger.debug(
+                "formatted exception is:\n%s" %
+                "".join(format_exception(*err)))
+
+    def add_error(self, test, err, unittest_fn, error_type):
+        if error_type == FAIL:
+            self.log_error(test, err, 'addFailure')
+            error_type_str = colorize("FAIL", RED)
+        elif error_type == ERROR:
+            self.log_error(test, err, 'addError')
+            error_type_str = colorize("ERROR", RED)
+        else:
+            raise Exception('Error type %s cannot be used to record an '
+                            'error or a failure' % error_type)
+
+        unittest_fn(self, test, err)
+        if self.current_test_case_info:
+            self.result_string = "%s [ temp dir used by test case: %s ]" % \
+                                 (error_type_str,
+                                  self.current_test_case_info.tempdir)
+            self.symlink_failed()
+            self.failed_test_cases_info.add(self.current_test_case_info)
+            if is_core_present(self.current_test_case_info.tempdir):
+                if not self.current_test_case_info.core_crash_test:
+                    if isinstance(test, unittest.suite._ErrorHolder):
+                        test_name = str(test)
+                    else:
+                        test_name = "'{}' ({})".format(
+                            get_testcase_doc_name(test), test.id())
+                    self.current_test_case_info.core_crash_test = test_name
+                self.core_crash_test_cases_info.add(
+                    self.current_test_case_info)
+        else:
+            self.result_string = '%s [no temp dir]' % error_type_str
+
+        self.send_result_through_pipe(test, error_type)
+
     def addFailure(self, test, err):
         """
         Record a test failed result
     def addFailure(self, test, err):
         """
         Record a test failed result
@@ -521,12 +1156,7 @@ class VppTestResult(unittest.TestResult):
         :param err: error message
 
         """
         :param err: error message
 
         """
-        unittest.TestResult.addFailure(self, test, err)
-        if hasattr(test, 'tempdir'):
-            self.result_string = colorize("FAIL", RED) + \
-                ' [ temp dir used by test case: ' + test.tempdir + ' ]'
-        else:
-            self.result_string = colorize("FAIL", RED) + ' [no temp dir]'
+        self.add_error(test, err, unittest.TestResult.addFailure, FAIL)
 
     def addError(self, test, err):
         """
 
     def addError(self, test, err):
         """
@@ -536,12 +1166,7 @@ class VppTestResult(unittest.TestResult):
         :param err: error message
 
         """
         :param err: error message
 
         """
-        unittest.TestResult.addError(self, test, err)
-        if hasattr(test, 'tempdir'):
-            self.result_string = colorize("ERROR", RED) + \
-                ' [ temp dir used by test case: ' + test.tempdir + ' ]'
-        else:
-            self.result_string = colorize("ERROR", RED) + ' [no temp dir]'
+        self.add_error(test, err, unittest.TestResult.addError, ERROR)
 
     def getDescription(self, test):
         """
 
     def getDescription(self, test):
         """
@@ -551,12 +1176,7 @@ class VppTestResult(unittest.TestResult):
         :returns: test description
 
         """
         :returns: test description
 
         """
-        # TODO: if none print warning not raise exception
-        short_description = test.shortDescription()
-        if self.descriptions and short_description:
-            return short_description
-        else:
-            return str(test)
+        return get_test_description(self.descriptions, test)
 
     def startTest(self, test):
         """
 
     def startTest(self, test):
         """
@@ -565,6 +1185,8 @@ class VppTestResult(unittest.TestResult):
         :param test:
 
         """
         :param test:
 
         """
+        test.print_header()
+
         unittest.TestResult.startTest(self, test)
         if self.verbosity > 0:
             self.stream.writeln(
         unittest.TestResult.startTest(self, test)
         if self.verbosity > 0:
             self.stream.writeln(
@@ -573,7 +1195,7 @@ class VppTestResult(unittest.TestResult):
 
     def stopTest(self, test):
         """
 
     def stopTest(self, test):
         """
-        Stop a test
+        Called when the given test has been run
 
         :param test:
 
 
         :param test:
 
@@ -581,12 +1203,14 @@ class VppTestResult(unittest.TestResult):
         unittest.TestResult.stopTest(self, test)
         if self.verbosity > 0:
             self.stream.writeln(single_line_delim)
         unittest.TestResult.stopTest(self, test)
         if self.verbosity > 0:
             self.stream.writeln(single_line_delim)
-            self.stream.writeln("%-60s%s" %
-                                (self.getDescription(test), self.result_string))
+            self.stream.writeln("%-73s%s" % (self.getDescription(test),
+                                             self.result_string))
             self.stream.writeln(single_line_delim)
         else:
             self.stream.writeln(single_line_delim)
         else:
-            self.stream.writeln("%-60s%s" %
-                                (self.getDescription(test), self.result_string))
+            self.stream.writeln("%-73s%s" % (self.getDescription(test),
+                                             self.result_string))
+
+        self.send_result_through_pipe(test, TEST_RUN)
 
     def printErrors(self):
         """
 
     def printErrors(self):
         """
@@ -615,13 +1239,26 @@ class VppTestResult(unittest.TestResult):
 
 class VppTestRunner(unittest.TextTestRunner):
     """
 
 class VppTestRunner(unittest.TextTestRunner):
     """
-    A basic test runner implementation which prints results on standard error.
+    A basic test runner implementation which prints results to standard error.
     """
     @property
     def resultclass(self):
         """Class maintaining the results of the tests"""
         return VppTestResult
 
     """
     @property
     def resultclass(self):
         """Class maintaining the results of the tests"""
         return VppTestResult
 
+    def __init__(self, keep_alive_pipe=None, descriptions=True, verbosity=1,
+                 result_pipe=None, failfast=False, buffer=False,
+                 resultclass=None):
+
+        # ignore stream setting here, use hard-coded stdout to be in sync
+        # with prints from VppTestCase methods ...
+        super(VppTestRunner, self).__init__(sys.stdout, descriptions,
+                                            verbosity, failfast, buffer,
+                                            resultclass)
+        KeepAliveReporter.pipe = keep_alive_pipe
+
+        VppTestResult.test_framework_result_pipe = result_pipe
+
     def run(self, test):
         """
         Run the tests
     def run(self, test):
         """
         Run the tests
@@ -629,5 +1266,39 @@ class VppTestRunner(unittest.TextTestRunner):
         :param test:
 
         """
         :param test:
 
         """
-        print("Running tests using custom test runner")  # debug message
-        return super(VppTestRunner, self).run(test)
+        faulthandler.enable()  # emit stack trace to stderr if killed by signal
+
+        result = super(VppTestRunner, self).run(test)
+        return result
+
+
+class Worker(Thread):
+    def __init__(self, args, logger, env={}):
+        self.logger = logger
+        self.args = args
+        self.result = None
+        self.env = copy.deepcopy(env)
+        super(Worker, self).__init__()
+
+    def run(self):
+        executable = self.args[0]
+        self.logger.debug("Running executable w/args `%s'" % self.args)
+        env = os.environ.copy()
+        env.update(self.env)
+        env["CK_LOG_FILE_NAME"] = "-"
+        self.process = subprocess.Popen(
+            self.args, shell=False, env=env, preexec_fn=os.setpgrp,
+            stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
+        out, err = self.process.communicate()
+        self.logger.debug("Finished running `%s'" % executable)
+        self.logger.info("Return code is `%s'" % self.process.returncode)
+        self.logger.info(single_line_delim)
+        self.logger.info("Executable `%s' wrote to stdout:" % executable)
+        self.logger.info(single_line_delim)
+        self.logger.info(out)
+        self.logger.info(single_line_delim)
+        self.logger.info("Executable `%s' wrote to stderr:" % executable)
+        self.logger.info(single_line_delim)
+        self.logger.info(err)
+        self.logger.info(single_line_delim)
+        self.result = self.process.returncode