Cloud Testing

Cloud Testing is a form of software testing in which Web applications that leverage Cloud computing environments (“cloud”) seek to simulate real-world user traffic as a means of load testing and stress testing web sites

Testing in the cloud is often discussed in the context of performance or load tests against cloud-based applications. However, all types of software application tests, be they performance, functionality, usability, etc., are eligible to be referred to as 'cloud testing'

'The testing entity is targeting an application which resides on a third-party computing platform and is accessing that platform across the internet.'

Leading cloud computing service providers include, among others, Amazon, 3-terra, Skytap, and SOASTA. Some keys to successful testing in the cloud include
1. understanding a platform provider's elasticity model/dynamic configuration method,
2. staying abreast of the provider's evolving monitoring services and Service Level Agreements (SLAs),
3. potentially engaging the service provider as an on-going operations partner if producing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software, and
4. being willing to be used as a case study by the cloud service provider. The latter may lead to cost reductions.