diff --git a/ryu/tests/switch/tester.py b/ryu/tests/switch/tester.py
index 135b0361..0cde1fda 100644
--- a/ryu/tests/switch/tester.py
+++ b/ryu/tests/switch/tester.py
@@ -543,7 +543,7 @@ class OfTester(app_manager.RyuApp):
         self.target_sw.del_test_meter()
 
     def _test_msg_install(self, datapath, message):
-        xid = datapath._send_msg(message)
+        xid = datapath.send_msg(message)
         self.send_msg_xids.append(xid)
 
         xid = datapath.send_barrier_request()
@@ -1040,7 +1040,7 @@ class OpenFlowSw(object):
         self.dp = dp
         self.logger = logger
 
-    def _send_msg(self, msg):
+    def send_msg(self, msg):
         if isinstance(self.dp, DummyDatapath):
             raise TestError(STATE_DISCONNECTED)
         msg.xid = None
@@ -1062,13 +1062,13 @@ class OpenFlowSw(object):
         mod = parser.OFPFlowMod(self.dp, cookie=0,
                                 command=ofp.OFPFC_ADD,
                                 match=match, instructions=inst)
-        return self._send_msg(mod)
+        return self.send_msg(mod)
 
     def send_barrier_request(self):
         """ send a BARRIER_REQUEST message."""
         parser = self.dp.ofproto_parser
         req = parser.OFPBarrierRequest(self.dp)
-        return self._send_msg(req)
+        return self.send_msg(req)
 
     def send_port_stats(self):
         """ Get port stats."""
@@ -1076,7 +1076,7 @@ class OpenFlowSw(object):
         parser = self.dp.ofproto_parser
         flags = 0
         req = parser.OFPPortStatsRequest(self.dp, flags, ofp.OFPP_ANY)
-        return self._send_msg(req)
+        return self.send_msg(req)
 
     def send_flow_stats(self):
         """ Get all flow. """
@@ -1085,7 +1085,7 @@ class OpenFlowSw(object):
         req = parser.OFPFlowStatsRequest(self.dp, 0, ofp.OFPTT_ALL,
                                          ofp.OFPP_ANY, ofp.OFPG_ANY,
                                          0, 0, parser.OFPMatch())
-        return self._send_msg(req)
+        return self.send_msg(req)
 
 
 class TargetSw(OpenFlowSw):
@@ -1101,7 +1101,7 @@ class TargetSw(OpenFlowSw):
                                 command=ofp.OFPFC_DELETE,
                                 out_port=ofp.OFPP_ANY,
                                 out_group=ofp.OFPG_ANY)
-        return self._send_msg(mod)
+        return self.send_msg(mod)
 
     def del_test_meter(self):
         """ Delete all meter entries. """
@@ -1111,19 +1111,19 @@ class TargetSw(OpenFlowSw):
                                  command=ofp.OFPMC_DELETE,
                                  flags=0,
                                  meter_id=ofp.OFPM_ALL)
-        return self._send_msg(mod)
+        return self.send_msg(mod)
 
     def send_meter_config_stats(self):
         """ Get all meter. """
         parser = self.dp.ofproto_parser
         stats = parser.OFPMeterConfigStatsRequest(self.dp)
-        return self._send_msg(stats)
+        return self.send_msg(stats)
 
     def send_table_stats(self):
         """ Get table stats. """
         parser = self.dp.ofproto_parser
         req = parser.OFPTableStatsRequest(self.dp, 0)
-        return self._send_msg(req)
+        return self.send_msg(req)
 
 
 class TesterSw(OpenFlowSw):
@@ -1141,7 +1141,7 @@ class TesterSw(OpenFlowSw):
                                 command=ofp.OFPFC_DELETE,
                                 out_port=ofp.OFPP_ANY,
                                 out_group=ofp.OFPG_ANY)
-        return self._send_msg(mod)
+        return self.send_msg(mod)
 
     def send_packet_out(self, data):
         """ send a PacketOut message."""
@@ -1151,7 +1151,7 @@ class TesterSw(OpenFlowSw):
         out = parser.OFPPacketOut(
             datapath=self.dp, buffer_id=ofp.OFP_NO_BUFFER,
             data=data, in_port=ofp.OFPP_CONTROLLER, actions=actions)
-        return self._send_msg(out)
+        return self.send_msg(out)
 
 
 class TestPatterns(dict):