Installing and Configuring Test Agents and Test Controllers
You must use a test controller and test agents to run tests run tests remotely or distribute automated tests to multiple machines using Visual Studio 2012 or Microsoft Test Manager. A test controller distributes tests and manages test runs remotely by communicating with test agents that are installed on each test machine. Each test agent can perform tasks such as installing software, running tests, and collecting test data. By using a test controller, you can run tests on any machine that has a test agent. In addition, test controllers enable you to use diagnostic data adapters to collect data or impact the test machine when the tests are run.
Note
Lab agents and test agents from previous versions of Lab Management have been combined into one type of agent – the test agent.
You must use a test controller and test agent to perform these tasks:
Run automated tests remotely using Visual Studio
Distribute automated tests to multiple machines using Visual Studio
Run tests and collect test data remotely using Microsoft Test Manager
Use a lab environment
Run tests in lab environment
Deploy an application in a lab environment using a build-deploy-test workflow
Warning
If you run tests using a third party unit testing plugin, you can’t use a test controller or test agent to run those tests.
To run tests using a test controller and test agents, you must also configure a test settings file after you set up those controllers and agents. In that file, you assign roles to your test agents. Those role values determine the machines that your test controller will use to run each test. For more information about test settings, see Setting Up Machines and Collecting Diagnostic Information Using Test Settings.
Prerequisites
To install a test controller or test agent, the computer must run one of the following operating systems:
Windows 8
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2008 Release 2 or later versions
Windows Server 2008 SP2 or later versions
Windows 7 Original release or later versions
In this section
Use these topics to install and configure test controllers and test agents:
Task |
Supporting Content |
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Set up and manage test controllers and test agents for remote and distributed automated testing using Visual Studio. |
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Set up test controllers and configure security for test controllers and test agents in lab environments. |
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Set up test controllers and test agents to distribute load tests to multiple machines. |
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Configure test agents to run remote or distributed tests that interact with the desktop, such as coded UI tests. |
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Reconfigure the default ports that test controllers and test agents use to communicate so you can handle firewall restrictions and software conflicts. |
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Configure test controllers and test agents on machines with multiple network adapters. |
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Specify how long a test controller or test agent must wait for a response when communicating before failing with an error. Configure these settings if the default timeout settings are causing software conflicts in your topology. |