Final stage of the testing process should be System Testing. This type of
test involves examination of the whole computer system. All the software
components, all the hardware components and any interfaces.
The whole computer based system is checked not only for validity but also
for met objectives.
It should include
recovery testing, security testing, stress testing
and performance testing.
Recovery Testing
Recovery testing uses test cases designed to examine how easily and
completely the system can recover from a disaster (power shut down, blown
circuit, disk crash, interface failure, insufficient memory, etc.). It is
desirable to have a system capable of recovering quickly and with minimal human
intervention. It should also have a log of activities happening before the
crash (these should be part of daily operations) and a log of messages during
the failure (if possible) and upon re-start.
Security testing
Security testing involves testing the system in order to make sure
that unauthorized personnel or other systems cannot gain access to the system
and information or resources within it. Programs that check for access to the
system via passwords are tested along with any organizational security
procedures established.
Stress testing
Stress testing encompasses creating unusual loads on the system in
attempts to brake it. System is monitored for performance loss and
susceptibility to crashing during the load times. If it does crash as a result
of high load, it provides for just one more recovery test.
Performance testing
Performance testing involves monitoring and recording the performance
levels during regular and low and high stress loads. It tests the amount of
resource usage under the just described conditions and serves as basis for
making a forecast of additional resources needed (if any) in the future. It is
important to note that performance objectives should have been developed during
the planning stage and performance testing is to assure that these objectives
are being met. However, these tests may be run in initial stages of production
to compare the actual usage to the forecasted figures.
