Virtual Mainframe Test Environment Automation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mainframe test environments require manual setup and maintenance, are time-consuming, and lack scalability, making it difficult to efficiently test application changes across multiple systems with interdependent parts.
Innovation Solution
A virtual mainframe test environment is created using a testing manager that automatically provisions cloud-based instances and generates test scripts based on configuration data, leveraging machine learning to determine similar prior test scripts for efficient testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual testing processes are used with physical mainframe testing systems, then testing can be performed with human control and verification, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-testing through virtual environments that automatically provision test configurations, execute test scripts, and generate reports without manual intervention. The virtual mainframe testing environment autonomously manages the entire testing lifecycle, reducing both time and cost while maintaining reliability through automated verification processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical testing processes with automated virtualized testing systems. Physical mainframe testing is substituted with virtual environment simulations that automatically execute test cases, eliminating the need for manual keyboard input and human coordination while maintaining testing effectiveness through automated script execution.
2Reliability
If dedicated physical hardware environments are used for mainframe testing, then testing can be performed with full system fidelity, but scalability is limited as the number of changes to be tested increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates virtual copies of the mainframe testing environment that replicate the physical system's behavior and configuration. These virtual environments can be instantiated multiple times simultaneously, each serving different test scenarios or software changes, thereby achieving unlimited scalability while maintaining testing fidelity through accurate system replication.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual testing environment is designed to be universal and multi-functional, capable of testing multiple software changes across different applications simultaneously. A single virtualized infrastructure supports diverse testing scenarios, replacing the need for dedicated physical hardware for each test case and enabling the system to adapt to any testing requirement.
3Reliability
If manual coordination and verification between multiple physical test environments are performed, then comprehensive testing coverage can be achieved, but the complexity and cost of maintaining the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate physical test environments into a single unified virtual testing platform. This consolidation integrates testing coordination and verification functions into one automated system that manages multiple virtual instances simultaneously, reducing system complexity by eliminating the need for manual coordination between separate physical systems while maintaining comprehensive testing coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a computer-implemented method and system for provisioning a virtual development and test environment for testing a mainframe computer, comprising: obtaining an indication of a software change to an application on the mainframe computer; receiving a request, from a requesting device, for testing the software change. Said method and system further comprises, in response to the request: receiving, from the mainframe computer, configuration data characterizing the software change and characterizing the application; automatically provisioning, using the configuration data, an instance of a virtual testing environment for the mainframe on a cloud network for testing the application; and, based on the configuration data, automatically providing one or more test scripts to the virtual testing environment for testing the software change to the application on the virtual environment, the one or more test scripts further generated based on automatically determining from the configuration data, a set of prior test scripts implemented for another application similar to the application and having a previously implemented software change.