System and methods for automated testing of functionally complex systems

1. A system for automated testing of functionally complex systems, comprising:

a test manager module operating on a server computer and adapted for managing testing of a distributed functionally complex system comprising functional electronic components of at least two functional types connected across a network and a plurality of networking connectivity components;

a test data storage subsystem coupled to the test manager module and adapted to store at least test results;

a log collection module operating on a server computer and adapted to receive log data from a plurality of log collectors;

an event collection module operating on a server computer and adapted to receive event data from a plurality of event collectors;

a test execution module operating on a server computer; and

a correlation engine software module operating on a server computer and adapted to perform at least a mathematical correlation analysis of a plurality of test or operating data obtained from one or more of the test execution module, the log collection module, and the event collection module;

wherein the test manager module causes tests to be executed by the test execution engine, the tests directed to actively testing the functionally complex system for faults;

further wherein, on detection of an anomalous test result, the test manager causes the correlation engine to analyze data from the log collection module and the event collection module to attempt to positively identify a root cause of the anomalous test result; and

further wherein, when the correlation engine is unable to positively identify a root cause of the anomalous test result, the correlation engine determines at least a plurality of additional tests that will assist the correlation engine in improving correlation results, and the correlation engine causes the test manager to cause the plurality of additional tests to be performed and the results thereof to be sent to the correlation engine in order to enable the correlation engine to positively identify a root cause of the anomalous test result;

wherein the test manager module causes tests to be executed by the test execution engine of a plurality of components of a test system arranged similarly to a planned or actual configuration of a system used in production;

wherein at least a first portion of the plurality of components of the test system is comprised of undersized components wherein each undersized component is characterized in that at least one physical parameter drawn from the set comprising memory, processor speed, port count, network bandwidth, and persistent storage, that has a value that is limited to less than half of a planned or actual value of the parameter for a corresponding component of a planned or actual system used in production; and

further wherein, by using at least some undersized components in the test system, capacity-related faults may be detected more rapidly.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first portion of undersized components is further characterized in that at least a second physical parameter is drawn from the set comprising memory, processor speed, port count, network bandwidth, and persistent storage, that has a value that is limited to less than half of a planned or actual value of the parameter for a corresponding component of a planned or actual system used in production; and

further wherein, by using the at least one of the first portion of components with a first more limited physical parameter and a second less limited physical parameter, capacity-related faults may be detected substantially before they occur in a production system.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein a plurality of virtual test systems are deployed on virtual machines on one or more physical machines, and wherein the virtual test systems are each configured using one of a plurality of test configurations that each vary one or more of the physical parameters drawn from set comprising memory, processor speed, port count, network bandwidth, and persistent storage in order to achieve a range of parameter combinations for testing.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the tests executed are performed continuously and in parallel with the operation of the actual production system in order to identify capacity-related faults before the same or related faults occur in the actual production system.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the tests executed are performed continuously and in parallel with the operation of the actual production system in order to identify capacity-related faults before the same or related faults occur in the actual production system.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of virtual test systems are deployed on virtual machines on one or more physical machines, and wherein the virtual test systems are each configured using one of a plurality of test configurations that each vary one or more physical parameters drawn from set comprising memory, processor speed, port count, network bandwidth, and persistent storage in order to achieve a range of parameter combinations for testing.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the tests executed are performed continuously and in parallel with the operation of the actual production system in order to identify capacity-related faults before the same or related faults occur in the actual production system.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tests executed are performed continuously and in parallel with the operation of the actual production system in order to identify capacity-related faults before the same or related faults occur in the actual production system.

9. A method for automated testing of functionally complex systems, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) continuously testing a plurality of components of a test system, wherein at least a first portion of the plurality of components of the test system is comprised of subcomponents for each of which at least one physical parameter drawn from the set comprising memory, processor speed, port count, network bandwidth, and persistent storage has a static value that is limited to less than half of a planned or actual value of the parameter for a corresponding subcomponent of a planned or actual system used in production; and

(b) identifying capacity-related faults in the test system before they occur in a production system.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first portion of components is further characterized in that at least a second physical parameter drawn from the set comprising memory, processor speed, port count, network bandwidth, and persistent storage has a static value that is limited to less than half of a planned or actual value of the parameter for a corresponding subcomponent of a planned or actual system used in production; and

further wherein, by using the at least one of the first portion of components with a first more limited physical parameter and a second less limited physical parameter, capacity-related faults may be detected before they occur in a production system.