Software is the foundation of practically all industries in a world that is becoming more and more digital. The need of extensive testing becomes vital as technology develops and as the desire for smooth, user-friendly experiences rises. Enter cloud testing, the software testing of the future that is changing the way companies approach quality control. Cloud testing is fast replacing traditional on-site testing as the preferred method for contemporary software development due to its capacity to replicate real-world situations and offer effective, affordable testing solutions. In this post, Novatesting would like to guide you to what cloud testing is, how it functions, and why it’s the future of software testing.
I. What is cloud-based testing?
The term “cloud testing” describes the process of cloud-based software quality assurance. This basically means using a cloud computing environment with the necessary infrastructure to do manual and automated testing. This can relate to the use of cloud tools as a component of quality assurance (QA) strategy or the testing of cloud resources, such as architecture or cloud-native software as a service (SaaS) offerings.
Cloud testing, also known as cloud-based testing, moves the entire testing procedure online, saving QAs the trouble of dealing with issues like geographical restrictions, limited device/browser/OS coverage, time-consuming setup and maintenance procedures, etc.
Testing is made faster, simpler, and vastly more manageable with cloud testing.
There are mainly three models of Cloud Computing :
SaaS – Software as a Service
PaaS – Platform as a Service
IaaS – Infrastructure as a Service
II. Cloud-based Testing types
Entire cloud testing is classified into four main categories
Full Cloud Testing: The cloud is seen as a whole entity and based on its features, the testing of the features is performed. Cloud and SaaS providers, as well as end users, are interested in doing this kind of testing
Testing in a Cloud: By testing each of its internal features, testing is done. Only cloud service providers can do this type of testing
Cloud Testing: Testing performed on private, public, and cloud-like hybrid cloud types
Cloud SaaS Testing: Functional and Non-Functional Testing is performed on the basis of application requirements.
Cloud testing focuses on core components such as:
– Application: It includes testing of functions, end-to-end business processes, data security, browser compatibility, etc.
– Network: It includes testing different network bandwidths, protocols, and successful data transmission across networks.
– Infrastructure: It includes disaster recovery, backup, secure connectivity, and storage audit policies. Infrastructure needs to be validated for regulatory compliance.
Other types of cloud testing include:
- Efficiency
- availability
- Compliance
- Protect
- Ability of extension
- Rent a variety of styles
- Check Live Upgrades
III. Benefits of cloud testing
Given the advantages we get from it, cloud testing is clearly necessary. The advantages that most succinctly illustrate why cloud services are in high demand are as follows:
– In terms of speed and cost
Testing on the cloud is helpful in removing schedule delays caused by the environment. Environments for test provisioning in the cloud may be created rapidly and effectively, negating the need for teams (and team members) to share environments (or infrastructure).
Any organization’s standard testing procedure involves purchasing the hardware and software infrastructure needed for testing. The majority of you will concur that due to constantly shifting needs, the environment given for test teams very rarely mirrors the environment of the consumer, making it challenging for businesses to manage. The only solution to this issue that allows users to quickly reproduce the client environment and identify defects early in the development phase is the cloud.
Cloud-based test automation tools have a far lower total cost of ownership than internal infrastructure. The majority of cloud-based testing services have a “pay as you go” business model, allowing you to save money when tools are not being used or when you intend to reduce pilot activity for operational reasons.
– In terms of time and efficiency
Almost any device with a network connection can access resources. The location of QA testing operations is not a restriction. This can facilitate real-time collaboration for testing teams combined with built-in collaboration capabilities.
Additionally, by personalizing cloud testing, businesses can quickly replicate the central environment of an end user. By altering and mixing various operating systems, browsers, configurations, etc., test teams may simply carry out load and performance test scenarios.
– In terms of scalability
One of the most alluring aspects of the cloud is its ability to scale up or down its processing capacity as needed. This is typically employed when company requirements are fluid.
In short, cloud testing revolutionizes the testing sector in general and the programming industry in particular. Utilizing the cloud for testing is a great way for businesses to receive the infrastructure, tools, and licenses they need at a very low price without having to put it up and then worry about whether it is used at the largest capability.
IV. Cloud-testing lifecycle
The life cycle of cloud-testing includes the following activities. The testing manager/project manager/testing leader plays the role of a testing administrator. The testing administrator creates testing scenarios and designs test cases. Based on the test scenarios and test cases, test scripts will be automatically generated by the testing administrator or professional tester. Once the cloud service provider is available for testing, the administrator creates users to grant access to the testers. The cloud service provider sets up the infrastructure. The test user/tester uses login information to log into the information portal and can use all available assets. The cloud testing process starts here. The tester performs the testing. After the process is completed, the cloud testing providers will provide the results.
V. Types of testing to be done in Cloud
In terms of functionality, both automated functional and non-functional testing can be done in the cloud:
* Functional testing: Testing to make sure that the needs of the company are addressed.
Below is a description of a few of the functional tests:
System Verification Testing: This checks whether various modules interact with one another, ensuring that their behavior is consistent with expectations.
Acceptance Testing: Cloud-based solution that is given to users for acceptance testing to make sure that their expectations are satisfied.
– Interoperability testing: Any application must be flexible enough to operate faultlessly not just across many platforms, but also when switching from cloud infrastructure to another platform.
* Non-functional testing: Non-functional testing usually focuses on tests based on web applications to make sure they meet the required specifications.
A few examples of non-functional testing are as follows:
1) Availability testing: The cloud provider must guarantee that the cloud is accessible at all times. Since there could be a lot of mission-critical tasks, the administrator needs to make sure that the consumer won’t suffer.
2) Performance testing: Two crucial types of performance testing are stress testing and load testing. It guarantees that the application won’t suffer from severe load or stress from numerous concurrent users.
3) Multi-user testing: Here, there is a plurality of users using the cloud service. When numerous users utilize a single instance, testing must be done to make sure there is enough security and data access control.
4) Security testing: Since the cloud makes everything instantly accessible, it is crucial to make sure that all critical user data is protected from unwanted access and that user privacy has not been compromised. The accuracy of user data must be checked when maintaining cloud-based applications.
5) Disaster recovery testing: Using this testing technique, you can be sure that if the power goes out, you won’t lose any data or have any other negative effects.
6) Scalability testing: Checks to see if the service can offer scale-up or scale-down extensions as necessary.
7) Compatibility testing
Purpose: to ensure the compatibility of the application with different targets such as web browsers, hardware platforms, users (different languages, regions) or operating systems, etc.)
Compatibility testing includes:
+ Testing service compatibility with business processes
+ Test compatibility with browsers
+ Test compatibility with different operating systems
+ Test localization ability (Localization)
Internationalization testing
+ Backward compatibility testing in terms of interface
Cloud testing tool
VI. Cloud testing tools
Performance testing tools
Many basic tools are used to perform load and overload testing. Some of the following tools can also be used for functional testing:
SOASTA CloudTest
LoadStor
CloudTestGo
AppPerfect
Jmeter
Cloudslueth
CloudTestGo
AppPerfect
Security Testing Tools
Nessus
Wireshark
Nmap
VII. How to do Cloud testing
| Types of Cloud Tests | Mission accomplished |
| SaaS or Cloud Driven Testing | This type of testing is usually done by cloud or SaaS providers. The primary goal is to ensure the quality of the provided service functions delivered in a cloud or a SaaS program. Testing performed in this environment is integration, functional validation, security, unit, system functionality and regression test as well as performance and scalability evaluation. |
| Cloud-based online app testing | Online Application Providers do this testing to test the performance and functionality of cloud-based services. When applications are connected to the legacy system, the connection quality between the legacy system and the application under test in the cloud is validated. |
| Cloud-based application testing in the clouds | To test the quality of a cloud-based application across different clouds, this type of testing is performed. |
VIII. Sample test cases for Cloud Testing
| Test scenarios | Test case |
| Performance test | Errors caused by a single user action in the cloud will not affect the performance of other users Manual or automatic scaling won’t cause any disruption On all device types, the performance of the application should remain the same Overbooking at the provider end should not hinder application performance |
| Security check | A single authorized customer will have access to the data Data must be well encrypted The data must be completely erased if it is not used by the customer Data must be accessible if not enough encryption End vendor management should not have access to customer data Check various security settings like firewall, VPN, Anti-virus etc. |
| Functional test | Valid input will give the expected result The service must integrate properly with other applications The system will display the customer account type when successfully logging in to the cloud When the customer chooses to switch to other services, the running service will automatically close |
| Check for interoperability & compatibility | Validate application compatibility requirements in test system Check browser compatibility in a cloud environment Identify possible defects when connecting to the cloud Any incomplete data should not be transferred to the cloud Verify that the application works on another cloud platform Test the app in-house and then deploy it in the cloud |
| Network test | Experimental protocol responsible for cloud connectivity Check data integrity during data transmission Check proper network connection Check if packets are dropped by firewalls on both sides |
| Check load and stress | Test services when multiple users access cloud services Identify errors that cause hardware or environmental failure Check if the system fails on specific load increase Check how the system changes over time under a certain load |
IX. Challenges in Cloud Testing
– Data security and privacy
Cloud applications are multi-tenant in nature, the risk of data theft always exists. As a cloud audit strategy, users must be assured by the providers about the security of their data.
– Short notice time
The cloud service provider offers a short notice period (1-2 weeks) to existing customers about the upgrade. This is a big problem when manually validating changes to your SaaS application.
– Verify interface compatibility
With Cloud provider upgrades, the external interface is also upgraded from time to time, which is a challenge for some subscribers who are used to the older interface. Cloud subscribers (SaaS) need to make sure that users can choose which version of the interface they want to work on.
– Data Migration
Moving data from one Cloud provider to another is a big challenge as both providers can have different database schemas and it requires a lot of effort to understand the fields data, relationships, and how they are mapped on a SaaS application.
– Enterprise App Integration
Enterprise application integration requires integrated data validation of both outgoing and incoming data, from the customer network to the SaaS application and vice versa. Data privacy requires thorough validation to assure SaaS subscribers about the security and privacy of their data.
– Live Upgrade Test Simulation
The biggest challenge of cloud testing is making sure that live upgrades don’t affect existing connected SaaS users
X. Cloud Testing vs. Normal Testing
| Test parameter | Normal testing | Cloud testing |
| Main test target | Test for interoperability, compatibility, usability. Verify the quality of system functionality and performance against given specifications | Verify the performance and functionality of SaaS, Clouds, and applications by leveraging the cloud environment |
| Inspection cost | Cost remains high due to hardware and software requirements | Only pay the operating fee. Pay only what you use. |
| Simulation test | Simulated online traffic data Simulated user online access | Simulate online traffic data Simulate a user’s online access |
| Functional testing | Validate functions (units and systems) and its features | Test end-to-end application functionality on SaaS or Cloud |
| Test environment | Pre-configured and fixed test environment in test lab | An open public testing environment with diverse computing resources |
| Regression test | Component, architecture, and function-based testing | SaaS-based integration testing |
| Security check | Check out process, server and privacy based security features | Test your provider’s cloud-based security, SaaS, and real-time auditing features |
| Performance and scalability testing | Implemented a fixed test environment | Apply both real-time test data and virtual online test data |
In conclusion, cloud testing represents a major shift in the way software testing is performed and has the potential to revolutionize the industry. With its numerous benefits such as cost savings, scalability, and accessibility, it’s no wonder why more and more organizations are turning to cloud testing. In today’s fast-paced business environment, companies need to keep pace with technology and the ever-changing customer needs. Cloud testing provides a flexible and efficient solution that ensures software quality while delivering applications faster. As technology continues to advance, it is safe to say that cloud testing will play an increasingly important role in the future of software testing and be a key component in driving business success.