Sun Microsystems SOLARIS 10 - Manual (Page 29)

Version 3.1-en Solaris 10 Container Guide - 3.1 3. Use Cases Effective: 30/11/2009
3.7. Consolidation of test systems
Requirement
[ug] To test software and applications, there are many test systems in the data center environment
that are only ever used for tests. They are mostly used only for qualitative tests where systems are
not stressed as with performance tests. However, switching between test environments by re-
installation or restore of a shared test computer is out of question. The testers want to access their
environment without waiting period or hassle over the right to access. Test systems are therefore
underutilized.
Solution
[ug] Test systems are implemented by zones on a larger server. The details:
• Sparse root zones / whole root zones, as needed.
• File system decisions analogous to the production system.
• Option: Resource management with processor sets for simultaneous tests.
• Option: Automatic zone creation.
• Option: Software installation per mount.
• Option: Moving the zone among computers.
• Option: Automatic quick installation of a zone.
Assessment
[ug] This use case has the following characteristics:
• The operating division requires far fewer computers serving as test systems. Far fewer
installations need to be performed.
• Expensive systems for performance tests only need to be purchased once, and not for every
application. Performance tests on the machines shared by the use of zones must, however, be
coordinated (operation).
• The operators can access the test installation at any time, qualitatively, at any rate; possibly not
with full performance.
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Figure 13: [dd] Use case: Consolidation of test systems
Global Zone
System
Test
A
Test
B
Test
C
Test
D
Test
E