CMDB-Driven Test Scenario Mapping for Configuration Change Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
In complex IT systems, recognizing the range of influence of configuration updates is difficult, making it challenging to perform system tests efficiently, especially with methods like DevOps.
Innovation Solution
A development operation support system that associates updated configuration information with test scenarios, allowing automatic execution of system tests through a CMDB, development management server, and operation management server, using a centralized database to manage configuration and test information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the system becomes large and complex, then the system functionality and capability are improved, but it becomes difficult to recognize the range of influence of configuration updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a CMDB (Configuration Management Database) as an intermediary to manage configuration information and its relationships. The CMDB stores configuration items and their interconnections, serving as a mediator between configuration changes and system components. This allows automatic identification of the influence range by querying the CMDB for related configuration items, resolving the difficulty of tracking influence in complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where configuration changes are automatically traced through the CMDB to identify affected components. The system provides feedback about the influence range of configuration updates by querying relationships stored in the CMDB, enabling automatic test scenario selection based on the identified impact scope.
2Reliability
If manual system testing is performed in complex systems, then test coverage can be comprehensive, but the testing process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automated testing by automatically selecting test scenarios based on configuration change information stored in the CMDB. The system queries the CMDB to identify affected configuration items, automatically selects relevant test scenarios, and executes them without manual intervention. This reduces testing time while maintaining comprehensive coverage through automated scenario selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining test scenarios and storing them in association with configuration items in the CMDB. Before actual testing occurs, the system pre-identifies which test scenarios are relevant by querying the CMDB for configuration relationships. This preliminary preparation enables rapid automated execution of the correct test scenarios when configuration changes occur.
3Adaptability or versatility
If configuration information is updated frequently, then the system can adapt to changing requirements, but it becomes difficult to ensure system quality through testing
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous quality assurance by automatically executing relevant test scenarios whenever configuration changes occur. The CMDB continuously tracks configuration item relationships, and the system continuously selects and executes appropriate test scenarios based on change information. This continuous automated testing ensures system quality is maintained despite frequent configuration updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback about system quality through automated testing. When configuration changes are detected, the system queries the CMDB to identify affected components, executes relevant test scenarios, and provides feedback on test results. This feedback loop ensures quality verification follows every configuration update, maintaining reliability despite frequent changes.
Data Source
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AI summary
An operation management server (20) includes: an associating unit (21) configured to associate an updated content of configuration information of a CMDB (30) with a test scenario corresponding to the updated content; a setting unit (22) configured to set a target system (40) according to the updated content of the configuration information of the CMDB (30); and a test executing unit (23) configured to execute a system test on the set target system (40) based on the test scenario associated with the updated content. This configuration provides an operation management server and a development operation support system capable of easily executing a system test, and a method and a program thereof.