Test environment

The testing environment is used to:

• testing a new version of Alvao before upgrading the production environment;
• testing software extensions before deploying them to the production environment.

Creating a test environment

It is recommended to create a test environment by copying the production environment.

1. On the Alvao production server ("live" application server), stop Alvao Service and Collector services and set their startup mode to Handheld.
2. Create a differently named clone of the Alvao server:
   • Create a clone of the server.
   • Disconnect the server from the network.
   • Log in without the network as a local admin.
   • Use the sysprep tool to delete the existing SID and generate a new SID.
   • Change the server name.
   • Connect the server to the network.
   • Connect the server to the domain.
3. On the production server, restart the services and set their startup mode to Automatic.
4. Create a copy of the live database (permissions included) or a new test database.
5. Create a test loaded email, e.g. servicedesk-test@contoso.com (optional).
6. Adjust the test machine settings:
   • In the appsettings.json files in connectionStrings, set the correct database connection:
     • WebApp
     • REST API
     • Custom Apps WebService
   • Set the correct database connection also for Alvao Service (AS) - (typically C:\Program Files(x86)\ALVAO\AlvaoService\appsettings.json).
   • Open Asset Management Collector as an application (you must stop the Asset Management Collector service first) and set the connection to Database to a new SQL server. Action - Settings - General - Set up connection - Add another - ...
     • If Collector then starts checking the SW library and processing a queue of tickets to scan, you can exit.
   • If you want to use computer discovery in the test environment as well, start the Collector service. If you want to use test mailbox loading and sending emails from the test SD, start the Alvao Service service. Otherwise, disable the service.
     • Check the Event log (application events) to see if AS is generating any errors and if it is loading emails (best to test by sending an email to the loaded mailbox).
   • Settings in WebApp Administration:

     • Path to test Custom Apps WS

     • Path to test REST API

     • Path to Test WebApp

     • Servers (Test Collector)

     • SMTP Server (sometimes stays the same)

       note

       In the SMTP Server settings ( Administration - Settings - Messaging), we recommend renaming the message sender address to include the word test.

     • Reading messages from service mailboxes - delete/reconfigure to test mailbox.

       warning

       Omitting this point risks the test environment loading messages from the production mailbox.

     • Email services TEST ServiceDesk servicedesk-test@contoso.com

     • (bulk change service prefix to "TEST")

   • SQL DB
     • Delete all users email address (except test users): UPDATE tPerson SET sPersonEmail = NULL
     • Delete the contents of the MailMessage table (otherwise some emails/notifications would be sent (a second time): DELETE FROM MailMessage
   • On the test machine, start the Alvao Service and possibly Collector services.
7. Test the functionality of all components.