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Designing a Test Environment

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Before you deploy Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 or Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional operating systems, even in a pilot, you need to test your proposed design in an environment that simulates and protects your production environment. It is critical to the success of your deployment to develop an environment specifically for testing. In this test environment, you can test hardware, operating systems, or applications designed to run together before introducing them into your production environment.

In This Chapter

Overview of Designing a Test Environment

Creating a Test Plan

Planning the Test Lab

Designing the Test Lab

Developing the Test Lab

Designing Test Cases

Conducting Tests

Using the Test Lab After Deployment

Additional Resources for Designing a Test Environment