Implementing Test Lab Automation

SOLUTION BRIEF
Implementing Test Lab Automation
Test Optimization Solutions to Enable Lab Automation
Introduction
Network and application testing is an intensive process that needs to move fast but often
takes a tremendous amount of time and resources to complete correctly. Automating a test
lab provides the opportunity to test devices, applications, and services faster and to establish
24x7 operations from anywhere in the world. Automation can greatly improve the cycle time
of repetitive test procedures such as regression tests, build tests, and performance tests. The
resultant savings, while potentially significant, do not represent peak efficiency. Both CAPEX
and OPEX savings can be greatly expanded by not only automating, but optimizing as well.
Whether an organization is just beginning to develop an automation framework or already has
a solution in place, combining automation with an optimization strategy can greatly improve lab
efficiency, speed, and performance.
Test Lab Automation Challenges
Deploying a test lab automation infrastructure, however, poses a significant set of challenges
for most organizations. Poor equipment utilization and control is typical when there is limited
remote access and sharing. The test tools required are often expensive and many budgets are
only getting smaller. Typically, the speed and bandwidth requirements of test beds far outpace
the availability of test tools. Additionally, simulating network failures and cable breaks across a
broad range of networks, speeds, or media can be challenging or impossible.
NetScout Test Lab Automation Solutions
NetScout delivers a proven solution for enabling and enhancing a test lab automation
infrastructure. By providing easy to use, intelligent, scalable technology at the lab’s logical core,
not only can topology changes be fully automated, but additional tools and functions can be
utilized to expand CAPEX and OPEX savings.
TEST OPTIMIZATION
SOLUTION BRIEF | Implementing Test Lab Automation
This innovative approach combines layer 1 switching with layer 2-4 intelligence in order to provide functions that are not otherwise practical
using legacy technology. Layer 2-4 functions such as test stream aggregation, replication and rate conversion, or providing a tap with a filtered
data feed for analysis can be provided via a software interface, and without requiring physical access to the lab.
NetScout Test Optimization Benefits
Today, the nGenius® 3900 Series Packet Flow Switch family, along with our TestStreamTM Management Software, provides the industry’s
highest scalability, security, and visibility for high-performance test automation applications. The key features enable significant benefits to Test
Lab Automation applications.
A Test Optimization Solution from NetScout Can Help:
Increase Utilization
Reduce Time
Save Money
• Fewer devices, higher efficiency, and
optimized packet flow
• Execute topology moves, adds, and
changes instantly and reliably
• Reduce capital costs with more equipment
& tool sharing
• Improved access to servers, storage, and
network equipment
• Reduce personnel time & prevent errors
during reconfiguration & troubleshooting
• Lower operating costs through increased
performance & automation
• Less downtime and reduced errors during
testing and reconfiguration
• Increase uptime, quickly isolate and resolve • Increased availability & security with
problems
standardized hardware and software
Traditional Labs
Application
Servers
NetScout Solution
Switches
TestStream
Management Software
Generators
Lab Management
TEST BED A
Main Frames
nGenius 3912 PFS
Director
Application
Server
Edge Switch
Routers
SHARED TOOLS
Director A
Disk
Storage
Test Tool
File Servers
14
13
14
12
11
13
10
12
9
11
8
10
7
9
6
8
TEST BED B
5
4
7
3
6
2
5
1
Director A
4
3
14
2
13
1
12
11
10
14
Intrusion Detectors
Core Switch
Network Analyzers
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
Blade Servers
Tape Silos
9
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Video
Test Tool
Blade Server
Analyzer
Test Tool
Figure 1: Traditional test labs grow in complexity as equipment
is added. This results in a slow, complex, and error prone
environment where expensive equipment and personnel resources
are poorly utilized.
Americas East
310 Littleton Road
Westford, MA 01886-4105
Phone: 978-614-4000
Toll Free: 800-357-7666
1
Analyzer
Core Switch
Disk Storage
Core Router
Figure 2: A NetScout Test Lab Automation solution simplifies the
network while providing instant and assured moves, adds, and
changes.
Americas West
178 E. Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
Phone: 408-571-5000
Asia Pacific
17F/B
No. 167 Tun Hwa N. Road
Taipei 105, Taiwan
Phone: +886 2 2717 1999
Europe
One Canada Square
29th floor, Canary Wharf
London E14 5DY, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 207 712 1672
NetScout offers sales, support, and services in over 32 countries.
For more information, please visit
www.netscout.com or contact NetScout
at 800-309-4804 or +1 978-614-4000
Copyright © 2014 NetScout Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. NetScout, nGenius, InfiniStream and Sniffer are registered trademarks, nGeniusONE and Adaptive Session
Intelligence are trademarks and MasterCare is a service mark of NetScout Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. All other brands and
product names, and registered and unregistered trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners. NetScout reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to make changes
at any time in its technical information, specifications, and service and support programs.
TOSB_006-14 12/2014

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