Time Compression System Testing Workload Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current system testing methods fail to accurately replicate the varying workloads and transaction rates over extended time periods, leading to mismatches between testing and real-world production system workloads, especially with the rise of big data and cloud implementations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method using an independent test clock that allows for dynamic time compression, enabling the execution of workloads in a specified sequence and date, and dynamically updating the test clock to simulate real-world scenarios, thereby replicating production system workloads over extended periods in a compressed time frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If testing is conducted over extended time periods to accurately replicate production workload variations, then workload modeling accuracy is improved, but testing time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple test executions spanning different time periods into a single consolidated test by merging their workloads. The workload merger component aggregates workloads from multiple test executions, allowing the system to capture workload variations over extended periods without actually executing tests for that entire duration, thus resolving the contradiction between accuracy and testing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by collecting and storing workload data from multiple test executions before merging them. The workload collector gathers workload information during individual test executions, and this pre-collected data is then used to create an accurate consolidated workload model without requiring extended testing time.
2Measurement precision
If multiple test executions are merged to capture workload variations, then workload modeling accuracy is improved, but test complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary components to manage the complexity of merging multiple tests. The workload collector serves as an intermediary that gathers workload data from multiple test executions, and the workload merger acts as another intermediary that combines these workloads. These intermediaries abstract the complexity, allowing accurate workload modeling without directly managing the complexity of multiple simultaneous tests.
3Reliability
If testing duration is extended to cover varying transaction rates and types, then system reliability assessment is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the extended-time workload characteristics by merging workloads from multiple shorter test executions. Instead of actually running tests over extended periods to assess reliability, the system copies the essential workload variations (transaction rates, types, and patterns) from multiple tests and combines them, achieving reliable assessment without the time loss of actual extended testing.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are techniques for system testing using time compression.A first program and a second program of a workload are executed in accordance with a test clock, wherein the test clock is independent of a computer system clock, and wherein the first program and the second program are to be run in a specified sequence and each at a specified date and time. In response to the first program completing, the test clock is dynamically updated to the specified date and time of the second program to start execution of the second program.