Protocol design and implementation using formal methods

This paper reports on a number of formal methods that support correct protocol design and implementation. These methods are placed in the framework of a design methodology for distributed systems that was studied and developed within the ESPRIT II Lotosphere project (2304). The paper focuses on design methods for synthesizing protocols by successive application of correctness-preserving LOTOS transformations. This transformational approach is described in some detail and is illustrated with a protocol design example. The paper concludes with some suggestions for relating design methods to milestones in the protocol design and implementation processes.