Captured Event Sequence Replay for Distributed Regression Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current regression testing methods for multi-service distributed computing systems lack effective machine-driven automation for simulating real-world user workloads, leading to inefficiencies and inaccurate testing results due to human error or random interaction generation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving generating sequences of events with Lamport timestamps in a first computing environment, constructing a test workload, and comparing it with a second environment to identify variances, allowing for automated reconfiguration based on these variances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If human testers are used for workload simulation, then real-world usage patterns can be captured, but the process is time-consuming and lacks scalability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of user interactions by capturing sequences of events from production systems and replaying them in testing environments. This eliminates the need for human testers to manually simulate each user action, achieving both accurate real-world pattern reproduction and automated scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary capture of user interaction sequences during normal production operation, storing these sequences for later replay during testing. This preliminary action allows the testing phase to reuse authentic user patterns without requiring human testers to recreate them, improving both accuracy and efficiency.
2Productivity
If automated randomized interactions are used for testing, then scalability and repeatability are improved, but the testing results may not accurately represent real-world usage patterns
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of generating random interactions, the system copies actual user interaction sequences captured from production environments. This preserves the authenticity of usage patterns while maintaining the scalability and repeatability of automated testing through machine-driven replay.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from production system logs to generate accurate test sequences. By analyzing actual user behavior data from the live system and replaying those sequences in testing environments, the system ensures test accuracy while maintaining automation benefits.
3Reliability
If full system tests are conducted in distributed computing systems, then comprehensive functionality can be evaluated, but the complexity of coordinating numerous components increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex distributed system testing into manageable units by capturing and replaying individual sequences of events. Each sequence represents a specific user interaction path, allowing the system to test comprehensive functionality through composed atomic event sequences rather than coordinating all components simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary capture of event sequences during normal operation, organizing them into reusable test units. This preliminary structuring reduces the complexity of test coordination by having pre-defined, isolated event sequences that can be independently replayed and combined, rather than managing complex real-time coordination of all system components.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for regression testing. A first plurality of sequences of events is generated by executing a plurality of test paths on a first computing environment. A test workload is constructed based on the first plurality of sequences of events. A second plurality of sequences of events is generated by executing the test workload on a second computing environment. One or more variances are identified by comparing the first plurality of sequences of events with the second plurality of sequences of events. And the second computing environment is reconfigured based on the one or more variances.