NEWS AND BLOGATAHON2021 BLOGS

X Factor of Testing in IoT world

Blogathon2021
X Factor of Testing in IoT world
By Ravi Upadhyay

Abstract

Software is the enabling driver for the Internet of Things (IoT), but organizations are at risk while creating, maintaining, and enabling products for IoT. Many organizations are facing challenges due to IoT because of ongoing software evolution. Which increases difficulty in cybersecurity, risk management, and quality assurance

Internet of Things (IoT) is impacting and significantly transforming products and services businesses across industries worldwide whether it’s Telecom, Finance, healthcare, General Consumer industries or as simple as home appliances. Gartner, Inc. forecasts that the enterprise and automotive Internet of Things (IoT) market will grow to 5.8 billion endpoints by end of this decade

It’s predicted there will be at least ~ 20 billion connected devices by 2021 worldwide. Testing these large numbers of devices are often heterogeneous, difficult, labour intensive. These devises are continuously generating data, poses significant challenges in terms of scale, Security, Velocity and Variety for internal test teams

IOT Testing Challenges

To ensure the quality of such complex IoT solutions requires a multipronged testing approach. It requires a well-planned IoT testing strategy that is comprehensive and is constantly evolving with changes. It includes test management tools, test classes, test lab setup.

Comprising simulators, ready-made tools, and extensible frameworks

  • Testing of Complex, Multi-Vendor/Devices environment
  • Simulation of Real Time Data
  • Connected Software and Hardware Systems
  • Testing of different network protocol such as HTTP, MQTT, COAP and Web Sockets
  • Seamless user experience across platform such as Mobile, Tablet, Television, and other home appliances
  • Security from Hackers

Agile Testing Approach – a solution to overcome the challenges

Agile methodologies and continuous delivery are particularly well equipped for dealing with the demands of the connected device

  • With agile, frequent updates are essentially a requirement. This satisfies the end user’s desire for a constantly updated device, the developer’s need for a manageable development schedule, and the business requirements to respond quickly to market needs
  • Agile methods also support the use of automating the software delivery pipeline: from software builds, testing, and all the way through deployments and product updates
  • As the demands of the Internet of Things continue to increase and consumer expectations follow suit, it is becoming more and more imperative for organizations to operate as efficiently as possible. Agile methodologies—and continuous delivery—are ideally positioned to address these increasing challenges and difficulties
  • In the IoT world, consumer expectations are fueling the need for more communication between project teams. Hardware and software design and development need to happen simultaneously with a great deal of communication between team members with different skills. The Agile methodology focuses on collaboration between teams, which results in getting products to market faster and making more product updates and releases

Interoperability Testing Methods

To execute a wide range of IoT testing, use of right automation, simulation, virtualization, and measurement tools is vital. This can be achieved using Interoperability Testing

Interoperability in IoT is compounded as well as influenced by several elements such as technology, devices, communication which impact the implementation process both directly and indirectly

Interoperability testing involves testing whether a given software program or technology is compatible with others and promotes cross-use functionality

There are 2 types of Interoperability testing can be used for IoT solutions.

    1. Technical Interoperability: This is associated with hardware/software components. This kind of interoperability is often centered on a variety of communication protocols
    2. Organizational Interoperability: is the ability of organizations to effectively communicate and transfer (meaningful) data even though they may be using a variety of different information systems over widely different infrastructures, and possibly across different geographic regions and cultures

Conclusion

Improving interoperability in IoT is fundamental for the success of IoT. Varied IoT tests can ensure a quality IoT solution. However, executing them requires a good testing strategy with the use of appropriate test tools

References

About Author 

Ravi Upadhyay is a Manager with Deloitte Consulting LLP with 10 years of experience. He is based out of the New York. His experience, knowledge, and skills include business analytics, functional testing, quality assurance and health care provider subject matter expertise

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