It is our constant goal as QA testers to find good, adaptable software testing environments. We may need to test an application on a Windows server or try it on a new computer system to see how it functions. The number of testing methods we require is increasing.
This is where Elastic Compute Cloud, or Amazon EC2, comes in rather handy. Virtual machines can be launched and operated online with EC2. Whenever you need a clean, customized testing environment, it’s simple to build one up.
Why Use Amazon EC2 for QA Testing?
EC2 offers QA testing numerous benefits:
- Easy to grow testing: You may simply construct up virtual computers with various computer systems, making testing simple. This makes it easier to test how the program functions on various platforms, in various browsers, and when you update the software.
- Clean and separate: Tests can be conducted in a fresh, independent location. Thus, nothing from the past gets in the way.
- Use when you need it: Need two hours of Windows Server? It’s you. Want to use Ubuntu for half an hour? Simple.
- Cost-effective: The only time you pay is while your virtual PC is operating. When you’re finished, just end it.
EC2 solves issues such as a lack of testing equipment or inconsistent test locations for testers who operate quickly or with a variety of computer systems.
## Testing a Website on Windows Server is a Real-World Example:
Let’s examine a typical scenario as seen by a QA tester.
What we would like: To test a website on Windows Server 2019, use the most recent version of Google Chrome.
Steps:
1. Start an EC2 virtual computer:
- Select “Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Base” as the initial image from the AWS Console (Amazon’s website).
- Select the size of the computer (for small experiments, use “t2.micro”).
- Configure the bare minimum of storage and network settings.
- Make a key to ensure secure access.
2. Connect to the virtual computer:
- The Windows server can be accessed using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
- Use the EC2 Console to retrieve the admin password.
3. Install testing tools:
- Install Google Chrome after downloading it.
- Additionally, you can install programs like Postman (for connection testing) and Fiddler (for monitoring web traffic).
4. Start testing:
- Launch your Chrome app.
- Test it as you normally would to see how it functions, how it appears, and whether it interacts with other items.
- Using your standard testing equipment, record your findings.
5. After testing:
- If necessary, store logs or screenshots on Amazon S3, the company’s storage platform.
- In order to avoid paying more, stop or shut down the virtual computer.
Best Techniques for QA Teams to Utilize EC2
- Put a label on your virtual machines: To keep things clear when multiple people use the same account, use tags (such as “QA-Test-WinServer”).
- Save your personalized configurations: Create Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) of your test configurations for easy repurposing.
- Be mindful of your expenses: Use the AWS Billing dashboard to view your expenses.
- Stopping automatically: After testing is complete, configure tools to shut down virtual computers automatically.
Conclusion
For QA teams in need of dependable and adaptable testing environments, Amazon EC2 offers a clever and powerful solution. It eliminates hardware restrictions, simplifies setup, and supports a variety of tests. This covers both fundamental and specialized system tests.
You have more control over testing when you use EC2 in your QA operations. This enables you to conduct more testing and ensure that your program is improved.
