Getting Started with Cloud Testing

We will decode the idea of “Testing in the Cloud” and discover ways to achieve it in this article. Let’s preliminarily grasp Cloud Computing before we delve into specifics. This piece elaborates on the fundamentals of Cloud Computing, Testing in the Cloud, and the main hurdles that come with cloud testing.

Interpreting Cloud Computing

A term and technology referred to as “virtualization” surfaced in the industry some years back. Virtualization facilitated the allocation of computing resources across various operating systems, thus enabling scalability, cost efficiency, and straightforward IT infrastructure management. It soon turned into an indispensable element for numerous enterprises.

Over the years, virtualization has metamorphosed into cloud computing. Cloud computing can be perceived as a model offering everything “As a Service”. It is a comprehensive solution offering IT as a service, like virtualization, with resources allocated on demand and available over the Internet.

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Analogical Explanation to Comprehend Cloud Computing:

A straightforward method to understand Cloud Computing is by comparing it to consuming a meal. Imagine having a meal at home versus having a meal at a restaurant. The goal remains the same – to have a meal, but the method and model employed in both scenarios differ.

When at home, you need to ensure availability of all ingredients for the meal, prepare the dish yourself and manage the cleaning afterward. It’s a do-it-yourself model where you’re accountable for the whole process.

Contrarily, having a meal at a restaurant is a service. You visit the restaurant, order your meal, and pay for the services. The restaurant manages everything – from meal preparation to serving you and cleaning up the aftermath.

This analogy represents the principles of Cloud Computing – “Availability on demand,” “As a service,” and “Pay per use”.

Cloud Delivery Models

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Cloud computing is comprised of three components providing capabilities “as a service”:

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): This is the base layer of cloud computing, involving physical resources such as storage, network devices, and computing servers. These resources are made available on-demand, and users pay as they consume.
• Platform as a Service (PaaS): This middle layer offers a runtime environment for applications. Users lack control over the underlying infrastructure but can access the deployed applications. This model primarily includes the use of virtual machines with full-fledged environments, covering the operating system and necessary middleware.
• Software as a Service (SaaS): This top-level layer offers applications or products to users on-demand through the internet. SaaS eliminates the need for individual licenses and offers a cost-saving approach to software usage. Examples include Gmail, Google Docs, and Photoshop among others.

Cloud Categories

There are three types of cloud setups:

• Public Clouds: Services in public clouds are open to all. Resources are dynamically allocated and provisioned based on user needs.
• Private Clouds: Private clouds operate within the firewall of a specified organization and are accessible only to internal users.
• Hybrid Clouds: Hybrid clouds blend elements of both public and private clouds. Organizations can select which services are accessible to all and which services are restricted to internal users.

The Requirement for Testing in the Cloud

Testing in the Cloud denotes the testing of resources such as hardware and software that are made available on-demand. Testing is also considered a service. As cloud-based applications increase, it becomes crucial to implement a Testing in the Cloud strategy to ensure not only the fulfillment of functional requirements but also non-functional requirements.

Pros of Testing in the Cloud

The upsides of Testing in the Cloud testify to its significance. Here are some primary benefits:

1. Dynamically Available Testing Environments: Conventional testing methods often demand significant investments in hardware and software infrastructure. However, keeping up with evolving requirements and ensuring the testing environment matches the customer’s environment can pose a challenge. Testing in the Cloud provides a solution by allowing users to effectively reproduce customer environments and pinpoint defects early in the development cycle.
2. Cost Savings: Many organizations invest in surplus infrastructure which remains underutilized most of the time. This results in added expenses on software licenses and maintenance. Transitioning to the cloud allows organizations to commission resources as required, considerably reducing costs.
3. Customizability: Testing in the Cloud enables organizations to effortlessly simulate end-user environments by customizing them according to specific needs. This flexibility saves time and cost, as test teams can conduct varied load and performance testing scenarios using different operating systems, browsers, and configurations.
4. Scalability: One of the most appealing features of the cloud is its scalability. Computing resources can be swiftly expanded or reduced, dependent on business needs. This flexibility is especially valuable when handling unpredictable workloads.

An In-depth Look at Testing in the Cloud

Testing in the Cloud incorporates both traditional and modern techniques to ensure comprehensive testing. Testing and the cloud are extensive domains. Let’s delve into them in more depth:

#1) Varieties of Testing in the Cloud

Testing in the Cloud can be classified into four different forms based on their objectives:

• Testing of the Entire Cloud: In this methodology, the whole cloud is tested based on its complete features and functionalities.
• Testing within a Cloud: This form of testing focuses on evaluating internal elements and components within a cloud setup.
• Testing across Multiple Clouds: This kind of testing involves testing different cloud types, such as public, private, and hybrid clouds, based on precise specifications.
• Software as a Service (SaaS) Testing in the Cloud: This form of testing involves both functional and non-functional testing to ensure that SaaS offerings fulfill user requirements.

#2) Environments for Testing in the Cloud

There are three types of Testing in the Cloud Environments:

• Private or public environments where applications need to be validated.
• Hybrid environments where applications need to be validated.
• Cloud testing environments where quality of cloud applications needs to be verified.

#3) Different Types of Testing Conducted in the Cloud

Testing in the Cloud incorporates both functional and non-functional testing to ensure applications fulfill requirements. Let’s examine the different types of testing conducted:

Functional Testing:

Functional Testing emphasizes guaranteeing that the cloud service provides the services that users pay for. It validates that the applications satisfy their business requirements.

Some examples of functional testing:

• System Verification Testing: Verifies that different modules function correctly and interact as anticipated with each other.
• Acceptance Testing: Involves handing over the cloud-based solution to users for validation that it meets their expectations.
• Interoperability Testing: Tests the application’s flexibility to operate on diverse platforms and transition seamlessly between different cloud infrastructures.

Non-Functional Testing:

Non-functional testing concentrates on web application testing to ensure they satisfy the desired requirements. Some examples of non-functional testing include:

#1) Availability Testing: Ensures the cloud is always available without any negative effects on users.

#2) Multi-Tenancy Testing: Tests the security and access control of data when multiple users are utilizing a single cloud instance.

#3) Performance Testing: Confirms response times, network latency, and load balancing. This ensures that applications perform optimally under varied load and stress conditions.

#4) Security Testing: Ensures user data privacy and validates the security of applications functioning in the cloud.

#5) Disaster Recovery Testing: Tests how rapidly failures are detected, the impact on data, and recovery measures in case of network outages, system failures, or extreme loads.

#6) Scalability Testing: Validates the capacity of the cloud service to scale up or down based on demand.

Tools for Testing in the Cloud

Several tools are deployed for different types of testing in a cloud environment. Here are some examples:

Performance Testing Tools for the Cloud:

These tools are mainly utilized for performance, load, and stress testing but can also be used for functional testing:

• SOASTA CloudTest
• LoadStorm
• CloudTestGo
• AppPerfect
• Jmeter
• Cloudslueth

Cloud Security Testing Tools:

These tools focus on security testing in a cloud setup:

• Nessus
• Wireshark
• Nmap

=> Click here for a comprehensive list of Automation Testing Tools for Cloud-Based Testing

Difficulties of Testing in the Cloud

While the cloud offers numerous upsides, there are challenges linked with depending on it for testing. Let’s explore some primary concerns:

Challenge #1: In the cloud, security is a major concern, as everything is made available on-demand to users. Instituting security standards and ensuring user privacy and data integrity are ongoing debates in the industry.

Challenge #2: Performance can be a challenge, particularly when multiple users share the same resources in private clouds. Bandwidth limitations and maintenance activities can affect performance.

Challenge #3: Cloud providers may not always accommodate specific configurations needed for testing, making it difficult to replicate customer environments.

Challenge #4: Integration testing, which involves testing the interaction between different components, can be difficult in a cloud environment where testers have limited control over the underlying infrastructure. Predicting risks and ensuring seamless interaction is crucial.

Conclusion

Cloud Computing has flipped the industry on its head, offering versatility, scalability, and cost-cutting benefits for organizations. Testing in the Cloud allows organizations to obtain the necessary tools, software licenses, and infrastructure at a lower cost compared to internal setup. The cloud is here to stay, and Testing in the Cloud has a promising future.

About the author: This article was penned by Sneha Nadig, a Test Lead with over 7 years of experience in manual and automation testing projects.

Are you engaged in Testing in the Cloud? Share your experience or ask questions in the comments section below!