How To: Continuous Regression Testing
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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
- Enhanced Proactivity: Detect issues immediately, leading to improved service reliability.
- Streamlined Processes: Accelerate product launches and updates with smoother testing procedures.
- Optimized Resource Allocation: Free up human resources for strategic tasks by reducing manual testing efforts. Experts can focus on expert activities again!
- Efficiency: High Efficiency because of the high volume of test cases which can be executed automatically.
- 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:
What is continuous regression testing?
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.
Why is continuous regression testing important for telco operators?
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.
How does automation facilitate continuous regression testing?
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.
What are the key benefits of SEGRON’s Automated Test & Monitoring Framework (ATF)?
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.
How quickly can telco operators implement continuous regression testing with SEGRON’s ATF?
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.
Can continuous regression testing run outside normal business hours?
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.
What kind of tasks are suitable for automation in telco testing?
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.
How does continuous regression testing improve network quality and reliability?
Continuous regression testing enhances network quality by detecting and resolving issues promptly. It supports proactive maintenance, reduces service disruptions, and enhances overall customer experience.
What steps should telco operators take to adopt continuous regression testing?
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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Michael Sedlacek
Michael has a long history in the telecoms industry and served many international projects as
Senior Network Engineering Expert and Integration Consultant, which gave him profound insights
and experience in mobile technology and its requirements before starting up SEGRON Test Automation Solutions.
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