An implementation of a routing protocol in a device is tested by testing how the device reacts to messages and message sequences having potentially adverse conditions. Examples include messages either having a specified message size which is intentionally out-of-conformance with the routing protocol, having a repeated protocol field, absent a mandatory protocol field, or having an incorrect order of protocol fields. Examples also include message sequences having either a specific playback delay between at least one pair of adjacent protocol messages in the first sequence of protocol messages, a specific playback rate for the second sequence of protocol messages, or a modified message order.