Dynamic Test Environment Provisioning From Test Queue Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hardware testing environments require significant setup time, leading to inefficiencies and wasted resources, and current manual test scheduling limits effective utilization of laboratory resources.
Innovation Solution
A method for dynamically building a hardware test environment based on a test queue, utilizing a test queue analysis module to identify appropriate resources and instantiate a new test environment when necessary, thereby optimizing resource allocation and reducing setup time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional manual test scheduling and setup techniques are used, then test execution can be performed, but setup time increases significantly (10-15 minutes or more per test) and resource utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring and preparing test environments before tests are actually executed. The test queue analysis module identifies upcoming tests and proactively sets up appropriate test environments in advance, so that when a test is ready to run, the environment is already prepared and waiting, eliminating the 10-15 minute setup delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic test environment creation and management. Instead of static, pre-defined test setups, the system dynamically provisions test environments based on real-time analysis of the test queue and available hardware resources. The hardware resource mapping module continuously monitors and adapts resource allocation, creating or destroying test environments as needed to match actual test execution requirements.
2Speed
If test equipment is kept idle to avoid setup time, then test execution can start quickly, but equipment utilization decreases and opportunity cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates equipment idle time by performing preliminary setup actions in advance. Test environments are configured and prepared before tests are queued for execution, so that when hardware resources become available, they are immediately ready to run tests without any setup delay or idle waiting period.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service automation where the test queue analysis module and hardware resource mapping module automatically manage test environment provisioning without human intervention. The system monitors its own resource utilization and automatically creates or destroys test environments based on queue analysis, ensuring continuous optimal utilization of expensive test equipment.
3Productivity
If manual test scheduling is used, then test execution can be performed, but human test engineer time is wasted and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements complete automation where the test queue analysis module and hardware resource mapping module perform all scheduling and setup tasks autonomously. The system analyzes the test queue, determines appropriate test environments, checks hardware resource availability, and provisions environments automatically without requiring human test engineers to manually configure or schedule tests, freeing them to focus on higher-value activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous feedback loops where the hardware resource mapping module monitors test execution status, queue changes, and resource availability in real-time. This feedback enables the system to dynamically adjust resource allocation, recreate environments when needed, and optimize scheduling decisions based on actual system state rather than static manual planning.
Data Source
AI summary
With a test queue analysis module (TQAM), access a test queue to identify a first test pertaining to at least one of hardware, software, and firmware. With the TQAM, determine that it would be inappropriate to run the first test on an existing test environment. With the TQAM, responsive to the determination of inappropriateness, check with a hardware resource mapping module to determine that resources are available to build a new test environment for the first test. With the TQAM, responsive to the determination that the resources are available, assign a unique test environment ID and cause the hardware resource mapping module to commence instantiation of the new test environment for the first test.