1# Nexus test framework
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3Nexus is a test framework for OpenThread testing.
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5### Design Goals
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7- **Faster and more scalable network simulation**: Enable faster and more efficient simulations of OpenThread networks involving a large number of nodes over extended durations.
8- **Enhanced control**: Achieve greater control and scalability over simulated tests.
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10### Features
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12- Includes the Nexus platform implementation that emulates platform behavior, allowing multiple nodes running the OpenThread core stack to be simulated and interact with each other within the same process.
13- Unlike the simulation platform (under `examples/platforms/simulation`), where nodes run in separate processes and interact via POSIX sockets, Nexus nodes are simulated within a single process.
14- Nexus tests can interact directly with the C++ or C OT core APIs, providing more control than the simulation platform's CLI-based interactions.
15- The flow of time in Nexus tests is directly controlled by the test itself, allowing for quick time interval advancement.
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17### How to build and run tests
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19To build Nexus test cases, the `build.sh` script can be used:
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21```bash
22./tests/nexus/build.sh
23```
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25Afterwards, each test can be run directly:
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27```bash
28./tests/nexus/nexus_form_join
29```
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