IOT Testing
Introduction
IoT – The Internet of Things is a digital network of physical objects which has embedded sensors that can collect, store and transfer data over a wireless network with no human intervention.
The 4 Key components of an IoT system are
1) Sensor
2)Application
3)Network
4)Backend (Data Center)
IOT is a connection of identifiable embedded devices with the existing Internet infrastructure. In simple words, we can say that IOT is an era of “Smart”, connected products that communicate and transfer a large amount of data and upload it to the cloud.
IOT Testing - The Thoughtframeworks way!
Testing for IoT devices broadly revolves around Security, Analytics, Device, Networks, Processors, Operating Systems, Platforms and Standards.
Types of Testing followed for IOT testing
Compatibility Testing
There are many devices which can be connected through the IOT system. These devices have varied software and hardware configuration. This leads to a huge possible combination and hence it is important to perform compatibility testing for the IOT system.
Usability Testing
There are numerous devices with different form factors with which the users interact. Usability testing refers to evaluating a product or service by testing it with representative users. The goal is to identify any usability issues, collect qualitative and quantitative data and determine the participant's satisfaction with the product. That is the reason checking usability of the system is important in IoT testing.
Data Integrity Testing
Checking the data for its integrity is crucial in IOT Testing as it involves a large amount of data and its application.
Reliability and Scalability Testing
Reliability and Scalability is the key to build an IOT test environment which involves simulation of sensors by utilizing virtualization tools and technologies.
Security testing (Non-functional testing)
In the IOT environment, there are many users accessing a huge amount of data. Hence, it is important to validate users via authentication, and have data privacy controls as part of security testing.
Performance Testing (Non-functional testing)
Performance testing is important to create a strategic approach for developing and implementing an IOT testing plan.
Following chart gives the applicability of different testing types for various components of IOT.
IOT elements Testing Types | Sensor | Application | Network | Backend Data (Data Center) |
Functional Testing | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Usability Testing | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Security Testing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Performance Testing | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Compatibility Testing | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Services Testing | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Operational Testing | Yes | Yes | No | No |
IOT Testing Process
IOT Testing Process
Components Validation
- Device Hardware
- Embedded Software
- Cloud infrastructure
- Network Connectivity
- Third-party software
- Sensor Testing
- Command Testing
- Data format testing
- Robustness Testing
- Safety testing
Function Validation
- Basic device Testing
- Testing between IOT devices
- Error Handling
- Valid Calculation
Conditioning Validation
- Manual Conditioning
- Automated Conditioning
- Conditioning profiles
Performance Validation
- Data transmit Frequency
- Multiple request handling
- Synchronization
- Interrupt testing
- Device performance
- Consistency validation
Security and Data Validation
- Validate data packets
- Verify data loses or corrupt packets
- Data encryption/decryption
- Data values
- Users Roles and Responsibility & its Usage Pattern
Analytics Validation
- Sensor data analytics checking
- IOT system operational analytics
- System filter analytics
- Rules verification
Communication Validation
- Interoperability
- M2M or Device to Device
- Broadcast testing
- Interrupt Testing
- Protocol
IOT Testing challenges
- We need to check both the network and internal communication
- Security is a big concern in the IOT platform as all the tasks are operated using the Internet
- The complexity of the software and system may hide bug present in the IOT technology
- Resource considerations such as limitations in memory, processing power, bandwidth, battery life, etc
- Understanding the internals of the product
- Lack of clarity in requirement specification.
Effective IOT Software Testing - Industry Standard Practices
- Gray Box testing should be used with IOT testing as it allows the design of an effective test case. This permits you to know the OS, the architecture, third-party hardware, new connectivity and hardware device limitation.
- Real Time Operating System is essential in delivering scalability, modularity, connectivity, security, which is important for IOT
- IoT Testing needs to be automated after a couple of sprint releases as the product marches towards stability.
What are the other testing services you must opt for along with “IOT Testing”!
Non-Functional testing checks the Performance, reliability, scalability and other non-functional aspects of the software system.
Thought Frameworks services - Major highlights
- A dedicated team of specialized testers
- Complete quality assurance and reliability on every projects
- Cover every area of web & mobile app testing
- We make sure that the website & mobile app becomes easy to use, performance oriented and works well for end users.
IOT Testing challenges
- We need to check both the network and internal communication
- Security is a big concern in the IOT platform as all the tasks are operated using the Internet
- The complexity of the software and system may hide bug present in the IOT technology
- Resource considerations such as limitations in memory, processing power, bandwidth, battery life, etc
- Understanding the internals of the product
- Lack of clarity in requirement specification.
Effective IOT Software Testing - Industry Standard Practices
- Gray Box testing should be used with IOT testing as it allows the design of an effective test case. This permits you to know the OS, the architecture, third-party hardware, new connectivity and hardware device limitation.
- Real Time Operating System is essential in delivering scalability, modularity, connectivity, security, which is important for IOT
- IoT Testing needs to be automated after a couple of sprint releases as the product marches towards stability.
What are the other testing services you must opt for along with “IOT Testing”!
Non-Functional testing checks the Performance, reliability, scalability and other non-functional aspects of the software system.
Thought Frameworks services - Major highlights
- A dedicated team of specialized testers
- Complete quality assurance and reliability on every projects
- Cover every area of web & mobile app testing
- We make sure that the website & mobile app becomes easy to use, performance oriented and works well for end users.
The Thoughframeworkers and their experience in IOT Testing
Adding value to IOT Testing requirements:
Increase the number of development cycles
Achieve Resilience and ease of execution
Greater Scalability
