BOINC Alpha

[UBT - Mikee]

I've probably missed the message elsewhere in the forum (usually happens - I'm always several days behind!) but anyone know of this and why haven't we got a team in it?

[UBT - Halifax-lad]

Because it is not a real project any more it used to be a long time, a testing project now all its used for is to test the new BOINC clients, there is no real work its just one massive huge file that lasts about 1 second that is used to test file upload/downloads

All the project does is this, so its not a real BOINC project, its just a front page with info on it

For each release, please do

The general tests
As many of the other test groups as possible.

General tests
Note fraction done of existing results. Install the new version on top of an older version. Make sure BOINC client and manager start up. Make sure results resume with same fraction done.
Make sure graphics work (for all apps that support graphics).
Make sure CPU time and fraction done are increasing for running apps.
Check all tabs in BOINC manager, make sure data is there.
Detach from a project (e.g., alpha test) and reattach. Make sure new work gets downloaded.
Let BOINC run long enough to complete a result. Verify that output file is uploaded, that the result is reported, and that new work is downloaded and started.
Suspend/resume features: suspend and resume results, file transfers, and projects.
Test activity modes 'suspended', 'based on preferences', 'always'.
Shut down your computer and reboot it. Make sure client and manager start up OK.
Suspend and/or hibernate your computer, and resume it. Make sure client and manager resume OK.
If anything seems significantly slower as a result of BOINC, report it as a minor bug.
Clean install
This test may cause you lose work in progress; do it only if you know what you're doing.
Remove BOINC (Windows: go add/remove programs control panel and uninstall BOINC). Then rename the BOINC directory to a temporary name.
Install new BOINC.
Verify that client and manager run, and manager brings up the Attach Project wizard.
Attach to SETI@home or other projects, and make sure work is downloaded and started.
From the time of installation to the time that work is begun there should be no long delays, errors, confusing messages, or anything else that might bother a naive, non-technical computer owner. If there is, report it as a a bug.
Exit BOINC, delete the BOINC directory, and rename temporary directory back to BOINC.
Reinstall BOINC.
File transfer restart
Exit BOINC in the middle of a long file download. Note the fraction done. Restart BOINC. Verify that download resumes from the same point. Use the BOINC Alpha project for this.
Same, but disconnect your network cable in the middle of the transfer.
Same as above two, but upload instead of download.
Preferences tests
Test 'don't run when user active' preference.
Test 'leave applications in memory' preference.
Test scheduling period preference.
Test #processors preference.
Test 'use network between hours' preference.
Test 'do work between hours' preference.
Test 'CPU usage limit' preference.
Test RAM usage limit preferences (both of them).
Test venue mechanism (e.g., create preferences for 'Home', change your computer's location to 'Home', make sure it gets the right preferences).
Update a second project with same account email address, and make sure preferences are propagated to the second project.
These tests can be done by changing preferences on web site, then Updating the project in the BOINC manager.
Windows single-user
Check that only the installing account and accounts with administrative privileges can control the core client (via the BOINC manager) and view the BOINC directory.
Windows multi-user
Install BOINC in multi-user mode.
Log on as one user. Start Manager (which starts the client). Switch to a different user and run the Manager. Verify that it connects the initial client (e.g. check the messages tab and make sure start time is the same as the original).
Verify that both users can view the BOINC directory and its files.
Everyone should be able to view the directory. Anybody should be able to execute the manager. The first person who executed the manager should have started the core client, everyone else should connect to that process.
Windows service mode
Install BOINC in service mode.
Use of 'net start boinc' and 'net stop boinc' on the command line should start and stop the core client.
Use of 'net pause boinc' and 'net continue boinc' should pause and resume the core client.
Verify that the core client started when the machine booted up (look at the Messages tab and look at the start time).
Verify that the core client continues processing even when nobody is logged onto the system (log out and in, and check the Message tab).
Verify that users other than admin and installing users can't run the Manager and connect to the running core client.
Tests for modem-connected computers
Do General Tests from a modem, ISDN, or VPN-connected computer.
see the Dial-up Connections page for details about dial-up connections.
Test the connection options:
set default connection
verify the manager uses the defaunt connection
proper notification when default hasn't been set
Test 'confirm before connect' preference.
'confirm' not set:
Test connections are automatically made when 'confirm' isn't set
Test proper operation when no user is logged on (service install)
'confirm' set:
Check proper operation with both 'yes' and 'no' replies to the confirmation dialog
Check proper operation when confirm dialog is ignored
dialog should disappear after a few minutes, with another prompt later
(fill in times)
With manager running only in the systray, check balloon popup indicating BOINC needs a network connection
Test 'Disconnect when done' preference.
Check that network activity is retried when dialup connection is established - pending scheduler requests and file transfers get retried.
Do these tests with both single-user and Service-mode install (Windows).
Tests for computers with personal firewalls
Do General tests on a computer that uses a personal firewall (ZoneAlarm, Symantec, Windows XP, etc.). In your test report Comments field, indicate the type of personal firewall.
Tests for computers connected by HTTP proxy
Do General Tests on a computer connected via an HTTP proxy. Use authentication if possible.
Tests for computers connected by SOCKS proxy
Do General Tests on a computer connected via a SOCKS proxy. Use authentication if possible.
Tests for laptops
Test 'work while running on batteries' preference.
Screensaver tests (Windows, Mac)
Test normal case (enter/leave screensaver mode).
Open graphics windows from Manager before enter/leave screensaver; make sure they reappear.
Graphics change on CPU reschedule (set scheduling period to 1 min)
Test 'no graphics capable apps'
Test 'blank screen after X minutes'
Test power-saver modes, e.g. 'turn off monitor after N minutes'
Test password-after-resume options
Test screensaver properties Preview function
(Windows only?) Test multi-user - switch to different user and run screensaver
BOINC Manager Attach Project Wizard
Test normal case, invalid URL, valid but non-BOINC URL, projects that are down.
Test bad password, bad username
GUI RPC authentication
Try to connect to core client with bad password, from host not on list, etc.
Account manager functions
Attach to and detach from an account manager such as GridRepublic or BOINCStats.
Verify that the core client periodically synchronizes with the account manager.
Verify that the core client won't let you detach from a project that you attached via the account manager.
NOTE: If you find bugs in the account manager itself, report them directly to the account manager admins, not to BOINC Alpha.
Trickle message and intermediate file uploads
Let CPDN run long enough so that it does a trickle-up request and an intermediate file upload. Make sure that these succeed.