A system, method of automated testing and control of networked devices is
provided. One or more test cases are defined in a test plan for execution
against a plurality of networked devices. The test cases are created
using a command defined grammar comprising verbs which characterize how
commands or actions should be performed. Abstraction markers allow for
device-specific characteristics to be mapped to a target device, without
modification of the test cases and the test plan itself. The verbs and
abstraction markers, once mapped to a target device form device-specific
commands comprising actions and device-specific characteristics which are
executed against the target networked device. The resulting responses are
parsed against expected responses and a result or verdict is assigned. By
providing command grammar and abstraction capability a common test plan
and test cases can be applied across a range of diverse networked devices
without require user intervention or modification.