This isn't a .NET question, so I apologize if it's inappropriate, but I think many here might have some interest in it, as it relates to the QA and deployment of software (albeit not necessarily .NET software). And I have no idea where else I might post this. Maybe someone can point me to a list that deals with this kind of thing....
I'd like to have some kind of system where I can build a 'mirror' of a production server on demand. This mirror system will serve as a QA system to test a deployment to our production environment. I envision the scenario: - Set up the QA server somehow to be as close a copy of the production server as I can get it. - Perform the deployment steps and any testing procedures on this QA server. - If all tests succeed, we're done and we schedule the production deployment. - If any tests fail, fix the errors - Reset the mirror system back to the original state (i.e. a copy of the production server). - Start testing all over again. If the re-setting of the mirror system is automated, then this process isn't as unrealistic as it might first seem, no? As I see it, the basic tasks for the 'mirroring' are: 1.) Getting the 'image' of the production server. 2.) Storing that image. 3.) Copying that image to the QA server - on demand. I put 'image' in quotes because I don't know if an actual drive image is possible for this. Is something like Norton Ghost an appropriate means for task 1? How does this work when you try to use the image on different hardware? My QA server may have quite different hardware setup than my production server. Plus I'd have to schedule down-time to capture the image, which is less than ideal - is there any solution that can do this while it's online? Maybe that's asking too much... For task 2, I think I'm going to be hard-pressed to get my company to spring for a set of SCSI drives, one for each production server that I might want to do this with (big company but very chintzy). That's one reason I started thinking about Ghost. Task 3 depends on 2, and about here is where I start getting lost. Maybe there's a better approach altogether, I don't know. I don't have any experience with any real, systematic QA processes. Is anyone out there doing this kind of thing? Any pointers or direction, or links to help get me started on this would be much appreciated. And sorry that this is off-topic, hope you will forgive me. Thanks! Andy =================================== This list is hosted by DevelopMentorŪ http://www.develop.com Some .NET courses you may be interested in: Essential .NET: building applications and components with C# November 29 - December 3, in Los Angeles http://www.develop.com/courses/edotnet View archives and manage your subscription(s) at http://discuss.develop.com
