Identifying the Features and Functions to Test

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

List all the features or aspects of features that need to be tested. This part of the test plan describes what to test, not how to test.

The following is an example of a feature test description:

  • Test 1 — Trust retention

    Description: All trusts to and from a domain should be retained when the domain controllers are upgraded to Windows Server 2003. Use the Domain Tree Manager to view the trusts. If the trusts do not appear, then the test failed.

Note that the description does not include instructions on how to perform the test.

Include tests that verify or address:

  • The functionality of each feature and service that you will implement.

  • Interoperability with existing components and systems in the production environment, both during the phase-in period, when there is a mix of old functionality and new Windows Server 2003 functionality, and after the Windows Server 2003 environment has been rolled out.

  • Hardware and driver compatibility for every type of client computer that will be running Windows XP Professional.

  • Application compatibility for every application that will run on Windows XP Professional.

  • Application compatibility for every server application that will run on Windows Server 2003.

  • Optimization of configurations, such as those for standardized desktops on client computers.

For more information about planning for application compatibility testing, see "Planning and Testing for Application Deployment" in this book.

In addition, list:

  • Baselines (a range of measurements derived from performance monitoring that represents acceptable performance under typical conditions) for performance monitoring.

  • Baselines and stress tests for capacity planning.

  • Procedures for deployment and post-deployment administration, such as procedures for upgrading a client computer and for backing out of a faulty rollout process.

  • Required tools and utilities.

During the developing phase, the testing team will develop test cases that describe how to perform each test listed in the test plan. For more information about test cases, see "Designing Test Cases" later in this chapter.