Tosca Distributed Execution and Execution Agents
As test automation scales, running tests efficiently and quickly becomes a key challenge. This is where Tosca’s Distributed Execution model comes into play. Tricentis Tosca allows you to distribute your test executions across multiple systems using Execution Agents, ensuring faster feedback, optimized resource utilization, and parallel test execution. This blog explores the concept of Distributed Execution in Tosca, the role of Execution Agents, and how to set up a robust distributed testing environment.
What is Distributed Execution in Tosca?
Distributed Execution refers to the ability to run automated tests on multiple machines (nodes) simultaneously. This enables parallel testing and reduces overall execution time — which is especially beneficial for large regression suites or continuous integration (CI) pipelines.
Rather than relying on a single machine, Tosca distributes test cases to available Execution Agents connected through a central server called the Tosca Distribution Server.
Key Components of Distributed Execution
- Tosca Commander: The central tool where tests are created, managed, and triggered.
- Execution Agents: Remote machines or services that receive and execute test cases.
- Tosca Distribution Server (TDS): Manages communication between Commander and Execution Agents, handles load distribution.
- Tosca Continuous Integration Client (CI Client): Optional tool to trigger distributed executions through CI pipelines like Jenkins or Azure DevOps.
What are Tosca Execution Agents?
Execution Agents are the backbone of Tosca’s distributed execution model. These are machines or virtual agents that perform the actual test execution. They are configured and connected to the Distribution Server and are responsible for:
- Receiving execution tasks.
- Running test cases using Tosca runtime engines.
- Sending execution results back to the Tosca Commander.
Execution Agents can be physical desktops, virtual machines, or cloud-based containers — giving teams flexibility in managing infrastructure.
Setting Up Distributed Execution with Execution Agents
Here’s a high-level overview of the setup process:
1. Install and Configure Tosca Distribution Server
Install TDS on a server machine.
Set up proper network access and port configurations.
Start the TDS service.
2. Install Execution Agents
On each agent machine, install Tosca Commander and Execution Agent Service.
Configure the Execution Agent to connect to the Distribution Server.
Assign the Agent to a specific workspace or project.
3. Register Agents
From Tosca Commander, navigate to the Execution tab.
Use the Distributed Execution view to add and register available agents.
You can assign test cases or ExecutionLists to specific agents or let Tosca auto-allocate based on availability.
4. Trigger Distributed Execution
Use the “Distributed Execution” option in Tosca Commander.
Select ExecutionLists and distribute them across selected agents.
Monitor execution progress and retrieve results once tests complete.
Benefits of Tosca Distributed Execution
- Scalability: Easily scale execution by adding more agents.
- Speed: Parallel execution reduces test suite runtime significantly.
- Integration: Works well with CI/CD tools for automated pipelines.
- Resource Optimization: Tests can run on different OS/browsers simultaneously.
Best Practices
- Ensure Execution Agents are always up-to-date and have required permissions.
- Group similar test cases for optimal distribution.
- Monitor agent availability and network health regularly.
- Use consistent naming conventions for agents and execution lists.
Conclusion
Tosca’s Distributed Execution model, powered by Execution Agents, is a game-changer for test automation at scale. It provides teams with the agility to run large suites quickly, integrate seamlessly with CI/CD tools, and improve test coverage. By properly setting up and managing your agents and server, you can unlock the full potential of Tosca’s enterprise-grade automation capabilities.
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