Abstract: A method for emulating physical layer impairments in a cloud computing environment includes at a test controller: configuring, using a first DI-CNI message comprising first configuration information, a first container hosting a first application, wherein the first configuration information includes information for implementing or emulating a first physical layer related impairment; configuring, using the first DI-CNI message or a second DI-CNI message comprising second configuration information, a second container hosting a second application, wherein the second configuration information includes information for implementing or emulating a second physical layer related impairment; initiating a test session causing test packets to interact with the first container and/or the second container, wherein the test packets are impaired by the first and/or the second physical layer related impairment; and during the test session, sending a third DI-CNI message for modifying the first and/or the second physical layer