EdenTree server configuration tool speeds test lab setup
-- Test & Measurement World, 3/28/2007 8:57:00 AM
Lab management and test automation software provider EdenTree Technologies introduces Configuration Manager, an application that reduces software test cycles through automated reconfiguration of computers used in test lab environments.
Configuration Manager allows you to automate the setup, archiving, and restoration of any Unix, Windows, or Linux computer in less time than it would take to manually reconfigure the computer. The tool also lets you easily manage and share complex system environments consisting of hundreds of combinations of computer platforms, application versions, software releases, and operating systems in active testing.
According to Jessy Cavazos, industry manager for the Communications Test & Measurement Group at Frost & Sullivan, “By and large, test labs have been left out of the mainstream server virtualization trend not because they don’t need to better utilize their infrastructure, but because the solutions targeted at IT don’t meet the OS independence and transparency requirements that are crucial to these labs. EdenTree brings unique capabilities to this problem with its Configuration Manager, and we’re optimistic that this pioneering effort will turn into a vibrant part of the industry.”
In much the same way that virtualization is used to reduce space and costs and improve computer utilization in production environments, Configuration Manager achieves these results for the test lab environment. It ensures transparency of the solution, while providing multi-OS support and a programmatic interface allowing automated configuration of devices without manual intervention.
The software can be used to recreate a complete test environment. Application versions, databases, operating systems, test scripts, and test data can be saved and recalled, saving time and eliminating setup errors when recreating a specific configuration at a later date. The system makes it easy to capture and resolve defects quickly by reproducing complex configurations in an error state.
Configuration Manager is part of EdenTree’s Lab Operating System suite. It runs on a standard EdenTree appliance and uses a LAN interface for computer command and control. Each instance of the software supports hundreds of computers and up to 100 terabytes of storage.
Offered on Sun Solaris, Linux, and Windows based computers, Configuration Manager costs between $1000 and $5000 per server, depending on customer configuration.
