How To: Continuous Regression Testing

Imagine you’re part of a telecommunications company, facing the relentless pressure of maintaining network reliability and introducing new features. However, you’re limited by a shortage of qualified experts and the unavoidable human limitations: no one can work 24/7, and multitasking often leads to inefficiency. 

In this scenario, the demands for regression testing — a crucial process for uncovering bugs and ensuring smooth functionality of networks and products — become nearly impossible to meet with the current resources available in the industry. This highlights a critical issue in the telecommunications sector.

The Challenge of Traditional Regression Testing in Telco Operations

Limited Human Resources: Human engineers can’t work around the clock, and each hour spent on regression testing is an hour not spent on fixing bugs or designing new products.

Reactiveness Instead of Proactiveness: Historically, telco operators have conducted regression testing only after software or parameter changes. This approach was due to the lack of resources required for continuous testing.

Increased Testing Needs: With the complexity of modern networks, testing requirements have skyrocketed. Traditional testing methods are increasingly unsustainable, particularly when certain systems need testing outside of normal working hours, leading to costly overtime.

The Solution: Continuous Regression Testing Through Automation

Segron delivers a modern and innovative testing approach to significantly improve service quality through continuous testing. This method involves implementing and utilising automated tools to ensure that your services are consistently tested, monitored and improved. This allows you to quickly identify and address service issues outside of normal release cycles.

Shifting to Continuous Testing: The proposal is to shift from reactive testing to continuous regression testing — running tests every day, or even 24/7. This approach ensures that operators detect issues immediately, even without recent changes in the network. Testing becomes a permanent activity, leading to unprecedented quality and reliability.

Identifying Suitable Use Cases: Focus on automating simple, repetitive tasks like VoLTE or VoWiFi verification, which can be efficiently executed round-the-clock.

Automating Tests: Utilize an appropriate test framework, such as SEGRON’s Automated Test & Monitoring Framework (ATF), to automate tests swiftly and effectively.

Setting Up the Testing Environment: Implement out-of-the-box devices to mirror real-world conditions, ensuring accurate test results and easy setup.

Running Continuous Tests: Automated tests operate seamlessly during nights and weekends, identifying potential issues promptly.

Real-World Example: SEGRON’s Success with European Telco Operators

SEGRON collaborated with major European telco operators to implement continuous regression testing. By automating repetitive tests with SEGRON’s Automated Test & Monitoring Framework (ATF), they set up a robust testing environment in a very short time

Once the test cases were sketched out, these tests can be simply configured within SEGRON’s ATF. All that was needed were SIM cards and the Remote Device Units with the corresponding end devices. Crucially, these were out-of-the-box devices, rather than rooted or jailbreaked devices, to ensure test conditions matched actual end-user conditions as closely as possible.

This automation allowed for continuous testing during and beyond normal working hours, uncovering bugs that would have been missed otherwise. As a result, operators could allocate more human resources to root analysis and bug fixes, improving their network quality and reducing time-to-market for new features. Automated tests continued to run during nights and weekends, uncovering several bugs that would have been difficult to catch in a normal service monitoring process. These bugs were then addressed by human engineers, ensuring optimal network performance.

Benefits of Continuous Regression Testing

  1. Enhanced Proactivity: Detect issues immediately, leading to improved service reliability.
  2. Streamlined Processes: Accelerate product launches and updates with smoother testing procedures.
  3. Optimized Resource Allocation: Free up human resources for strategic tasks by reducing manual testing efforts. Experts can focus on expert activities again!
  4. Efficiency: High Efficiency because of the high volume of test cases which can be executed automatically.
  5. Comprehensive Coverage: Ensure consistent and thorough testing across all network components.

Embracing Automation for Better Results

Automation in regression testing empowers telco operators to optimize their testing processes and achieve unparalleled network quality. By integrating continuous regression testing, operators can enhance customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and overall competitiveness in the market.

Ready to transform your testing processes and achieve higher efficiency? Consider integrating automated continuous regression testing into your operations and experience the benefits firsthand. Let the “robots” handle the repetitive work, so your experts can focus on innovation and problem-solving.

Frequently asked questions:

Continuous regression testing involves running regression tests continuously, regardless of recent changes or updates to the network. This proactive approach helps in detecting issues promptly and maintaining high service quality.

Continuous regression testing is essential because it helps in the early detection of bugs and issues, ensuring smooth functionality of networks and reducing time-to-market for new features. It also improves customer experience by maintaining high service quality.

Automation in regression testing offers numerous benefits, including the ability to run tests 24/7, consistent and repeatable test results, freeing up human resources for more complex tasks, and cost savings due to reduced reliance on human testers.

SEGRON’s ATF enables rapid and efficient automation of regression tests. It supports continuous testing, integrates seamlessly with existing networks, and ensures test conditions mirror real-world scenarios for accurate results.

Implementing continuous regression testing with SEGRON’s ATF is swift and straightforward. Operators can set up the framework within a day, utilizing standard devices and configurations tailored to their specific network needs.

Yes, automated tests enabled by continuous regression testing can operate 24/7, including nights and weekends. This capability ensures comprehensive coverage and timely detection of potential network issues.

Simple, repetitive and widespread tasks such as testing various voice call and interworking scenarios, as well as data and messaging services are ideal for automation. These tasks can be performed quickly and repeatedly without deviation, making them perfect candidates for automated testing.

Continuous regression testing enhances network quality by detecting and resolving issues promptly. It supports proactive maintenance, reduces service disruptions, and enhances overall customer experience.

Telco operators should assess their testing needs, select an appropriate automation framework like SEGRON’s ATF, define test scenarios, and integrate automated testing into their operational workflows. This proactive approach ensures ongoing network optimization and service excellence.

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Senior SaaS System Administrator

Technical Skills :
  • Oversee the sysadmin related tasks in our SaaS infrastructure (partially cloud based, partially bare metal)
  • Daily operation and maintenance of the system
  • Analysing and resolving incidents
  • Follow and help improving the incident and change management procedures
  • Design procedures for system troubleshooting and maintenance
  • Incorporating base OS updates and security patches
  • Ensure that systems are safe and secure against cybersecurity threats by raising change requests where potential threat is possible
  • Performing SW updates for the Segron SaaS SW stack (distributed architecture with clusters)
  • Configuring solutions like reverse proxy, firewalls, etc.
  • Building tools to automate procedures & reduce occurrences of errors and improve customer experience
  • Tutoring & coaching newcomers & less senior experts in the team
  • Interworking with the architects and IT admins of Segron to have the SaaS procedures inline with the Segron processes
Non-technical skills:
  • We are looking for a self-motivated, self-improving individual with a highly independent mindset and open and straightforward technical communication to help us to improve and maintain our cloud infrastructure of our powerful end-to-end testing solution ATF (Automated Testing Framework)
  • 3+ years hands-on experience with operation and monitoring of cloud / linux systems
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience with network devops elements: configuring routers, switches, networks
  • Hands-on experience with running live systems with infrastructure as a code mode of operation
  • Specific knowledge which brings direct advantage: Docker, Docker Compose, Grafana, Prometheus, Ansible, Debian Linux OS administration, Security
  • Experience in building and maintaining distributed systems (incl. redundancy, resiliency, load-balancing) is welcome
  • Excellent knowledge of English
Location :
  • Place of work: Bratislava (partially home office possible)
  • Rate: from 30 EUR/hour (possible higher rate, depends on experience)
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CI/CD Senior Developer

Technical Skills :
  • A senior role with a proven expertise in software development, cloud computing, DevOps, and CI/CD
  • Experience in planning, designing, and overseeing the CI/CD strategy and architecture on the level of organization
  • Ability to tailor testing strategies which define and follow the best practices, standards, and policies for the software delivery process
  • Hands-on experience in creating and managing CI/CD pipelines and workflows (PaaC)
  • Ability to evaluate and recommend the best tools, technologies, and methodologies for the CI/CD implementation
  • Prior hands-on experience working with different CI/CD toolsets (Jenkins, Bitbucket, GitLab, artifactory, Ansible ..)
  • Proficient with DevOps tools API automation capabilities
  • Proficient with Atlassian Tools (BitBucket, Jira, Confluence) and agile SW development methodologies
  • Familiar with cloud patterns and best practices
  • Familiar with web performance best practices
  • Comfortable working in cloud DevOps ecosystem
  • Comfortable working with Linux platforms
  • Initial working experience in SW development is an advantage.
Non-technical skills:
  • Effective communication with technical as well and business stakeholders
  • Self-motivating, self-improving mindset
  • Ownership of relevant industry certificates is a plus
Location :
  • Location: Bratislava, Slovakia (with hybrid flexibility)
  • Rate: from 30 EUR/hour (possible higher rate, depends on experience)
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Test Automation Engineer

Job description, responsibilities:

Hardware Testing: Conduct verification and testing of hardware during the HW/SW products
assembly process.
Technical Support: Provide technical assistance during testing activities and troubleshoot any
hardware issues that arise. Support to internal teams and customers by managing priorities and
meeting deadlines.
Equipment Maintenance: Configure and maintain SEGRON laboratory and customer equipment.
Logistics Support: Handle hardware ordering and logistics.
Troubleshooting: Analyze and resolve SEGRON product issues through effective problem-solving.
Ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues that arise during the integration process.
Collaboration: Work with the SEGRON Development Team on product or software issues and assist
the Project Team with planned activities.
Root Cause Analysis: Investigate production errors to identify underlying causes.
Software Deployment: Implement software updates and fixes.
Team Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, especially in serving global
customers.

Requirements/ Skills:

Networking knowledge: Understanding TCP/IP networks and LAN/WAN configurations. Routing and
switching and related protocols strongly desired.
Hardware Proficiency: Understanding of hardware components, including servers, routers, and
peripherals, to ensure proper assembly and integration. Experience in data centers is a plus.
Travel Abilities: Willing to travel for customer on-site support for hardware installations, migrations,
upgrades, troubleshooting, etc. (few times a year, 3-5 days)
Hand Tools: Proficiency in using hand tools like screwdrivers, pliers, crimpers, and punches for
assembling and disassembling components.
Operating Systems: Knowledge of Linux and Windows. VM experience (Hyper-V, VMWare, Oracle
Virtual Box, Proxmox etc.)
Tools Proficiency: Basic understanding of Ansible.
Telecommunications Experience: Previous experience in the telecom sector is a plus.
Education: Degree in Computer Science/Engineering or equivalent work experience.
Experience: At least 2 years of relevant work experience preferred. A strong desire to continuously
improve skills and knowledge in hardware and software integration, with an openness to feedback and
new ideas. Key is openminded person willing to learn fast in great team.
Communication Skills: Effective oral and written Eng

Others:

• Full time job (employment)
• Onsite work during onboarding period, then it can be 3 days onsite, 2 days home office
Offered salary: from 2000 Euro (depends on seniority and skills level)
Variety of financial benefits
Place of work: Bratislava

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Senior Python Developer

Technical Skills :

  • A solid, experienced SW developer with at least 10 years of experience in active SW development in different programming paradigms
  • Minimum 5 years of professional Python development experience
  • Master or college degree from Computer Science, Mathematics or STEM domain
  • Well educated in design and programming patterns that increase software’s efficiency and readability.
  • Very good analytical and problem solving skills.
  • At least three skills out of the following 4 skills are requested:
    • Microservices based architectures (Docker containers)
    • Linux
    • Ansible
    • Robot  Framework
  • Comfortable with sysadmin and DevOps skills (Ansible, YML files, Network Programming, IP protocols, designing and developing proxy servers for different protocols – example: streaming, integrating and compiling third party libraries on Linux (Debian))
  • Proficient with Atlassian Tools (BitBucket, Jira, Confluence) thorough understanding of Git and version control best practices
  • Familiar with cloud patterns and best practices
  • Familiar with web performance best practices

Non-technical skills:

  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to abstract and explain your work
  • Strong understanding of Agile development process and experience working in an agile team
  • Strong communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Location :
  • Bratislava, Slovakia (with hybrid flexibility)
  • Rate: from 35 EUR/hour (possible higher rate, but depends on experience)
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