Web Client Testing via Hardware Virtualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for testing and monitoring web client-server interactions struggle to accurately simulate complex web client functionalities, particularly with advanced technologies like AJAX, Flash, and ActiveX, and face challenges in distinguishing low-level networking issues amidst multiple web clients running on the same machine, leading to inaccurate diagnostics and performance measurements.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing hardware virtualization to run multiple guest operating systems on a single physical machine, allowing each web client to be instrumented at both the application and network layers for detailed performance and debugging information, while a scheduler manages tests and a user-interface server provides historical data visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple web clients are run on the same physical machine to test their functionality, then testing coverage and versatility are improved, but conflicts and interference between clients occur leading to inaccurate diagnostics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the physical machine into separate virtual machines, each running a different web client. This segmentation isolates each client's network traffic and operations, preventing interference between clients while allowing multiple clients to be tested simultaneously on the same physical hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual machine layer as an intermediary between the physical machine and the web clients. This virtualization layer manages network traffic routing and resource allocation, enabling multiple clients to coexist without direct conflict while maintaining accurate diagnostic capabilities for each client.
2Measurement precision
If detailed instrumentation at both application and network layers is implemented, then measurement precision and debugging capability are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested instrumentation where application-level monitoring is embedded within the virtual machine environment, which itself is monitored at the network layer. This nested structure allows detailed measurement at multiple levels without requiring separate independent systems, reducing overall complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual machine platform serves multiple functions simultaneously: it isolates clients, manages network traffic, provides application-level instrumentation, and enables network-level monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement capabilities.
3Productivity
If hardware virtualization is used to run multiple guest operating systems, then scalability and resource efficiency are improved, but initial system complexity and setup difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements virtualization infrastructure and networking configurations in advance before actual testing begins. Pre-configured virtual machine templates, network routing rules, and instrumentation frameworks are prepared beforehand, so that when testing starts, the system is already optimized for efficient resource allocation and client isolation without requiring complex real-time setup.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method providing a testing, monitoring and debugging framework that supports testing web clients with complex and advanced feature sets. The system and method allows multiple web clients to be simultaneously tested on the same physical machine without conflict and records a full range of performance and debugging information by providing detailed measurements at a combination of application and networking layers.