Server testing checklist
1. Pre-Testing Preparation
- Outline specific goals for the testing process.
- Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success.
- Determine the scope of the tests to be conducted.
- Gather input from stakeholders on their expectations.
- List all physical components (CPU, RAM, storage, etc.).
- Document the installed operating system and version.
- Note any third-party software and versions in use.
- Verify compatibility with testing tools and frameworks.
- Set up a dedicated environment for testing purposes.
- Ensure the environment mimics production settings closely.
- Configure network settings and access controls.
- Install necessary software and tools for testing.
- Identify critical data that requires backup.
- Use reliable backup solutions to create copies.
- Verify the integrity of backup data.
- Document backup procedures and locations.
- Record all current settings and configurations.
- Include network configurations, user accounts, and roles.
- Save configuration files for reference.
- Ensure documentation is accessible for the testing team.
2. Functional Testing
- Confirm all required software is installed.
- Check configuration files for accuracy.
- Validate server settings against specifications.
- Ensure services are running as expected.
- Document any discrepancies found during verification.
- Reboot the server to initiate the startup sequence.
- Monitor boot process for errors or delays.
- Verify all services start correctly.
- Check system logs for any startup issues.
- Ensure the server reaches the login prompt successfully.
- Ping the server from a remote machine.
- Verify IP address and subnet mask configurations.
- Test DNS resolution for the server's hostname.
- Check routing and firewall settings.
- Ensure access to required external resources.
- Create a test user account.
- Assign permissions according to user role.
- Log in with the test account to verify access.
- Test restricted and permitted actions.
- Document any permission errors encountered.
- Install required applications on the server.
- Verify application installation completion.
- Launch applications to check for errors.
- Test major functionalities of the applications.
- Ensure applications interact with server resources correctly.
3. Performance Testing
- Use performance testing tools like JMeter or LoadRunner.
- Simulate typical user traffic patterns.
- Record response times for key transactions.
- Analyze results against acceptable performance benchmarks.
- Determine the expected maximum load.
- Use load testing tools to simulate peak traffic.
- Observe server behavior under extreme conditions.
- Identify breaking points and recovery times.
- Utilize monitoring tools such as Nagios or Grafana.
- Record metrics continuously during tests.
- Analyze resource utilization against thresholds.
- Identify bottlenecks or resource constraints.
- Use tools like iPerf or Wireshark.
- Measure data transfer rates and response times.
- Evaluate packet loss and error rates.
- Analyze results to identify network issues.
- Gradually increase the load on the server.
- Monitor performance metrics at each load increment.
- Identify how performance changes with scaling.
- Document the maximum effective load before degradation.
4. Security Testing
- Identify all default passwords for software and devices.
- Change default passwords to strong, unique passwords.
- Review configuration settings for security best practices.
- Ensure unnecessary services are disabled.
- Document changes for compliance and future audits.
- Select appropriate security scanning tools.
- Run scans on all servers and applications.
- Analyze scan results for identified vulnerabilities.
- Prioritize vulnerabilities based on risk level.
- Document findings and remediation steps.
- Check firewall rules for correctness and completeness.
- Ensure only necessary ports are open.
- Review logs from the intrusion detection system.
- Test alerts and notification mechanisms.
- Update configurations as needed for optimal security.
- Plan the scope and objectives of the test.
- Engage qualified penetration testing professionals.
- Simulate attacks to identify vulnerabilities.
- Document findings and provide remediation recommendations.
- Review the testing process for improvements.
- List all user accounts and roles.
- Ensure least privilege principle is applied.
- Review permissions for role appropriateness.
- Remove inactive or unnecessary accounts.
- Document user access policies and changes.
5. Reliability and Recovery Testing
- Identify primary and secondary servers.
- Initiate a failover to the secondary server.
- Monitor performance and response times.
- Verify service continuity during the switch.
- Return to primary server and ensure stability.
- Select hardware components to fail.
- Execute failure scenarios (e.g., shutdown, disconnection).
- Observe server response and error logs.
- Initiate recovery procedures.
- Evaluate recovery speed and success.
- Access data post-recovery.
- Run integrity checks (e.g., checksums).
- Compare recovered data with original records.
- Ensure no data loss or corruption.
- Document any discrepancies found.
- Perform a full data backup.
- Verify backup completion and integrity.
- Restore data to a test environment.
- Check for completeness and accuracy of restored data.
- Document the entire backup and restore process.
- Define acceptable downtime for each service.
- Establish maximum data loss tolerance.
- Record RTO and RPO metrics.
- Communicate objectives to relevant stakeholders.
- Review and update periodically based on changes.
6. Compliance Testing
- Identify applicable standards (e.g., ISO, NIST).
- Review documentation for compliance requirements.
- Evaluate server configurations against standards.
- Document findings and necessary adjustments.
- Assess data encryption methods in use.
- Review access controls and user permissions.
- Ensure compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, or relevant regulations.
- Document any identified compliance gaps.
- Obtain the latest version of compliance checklists.
- Cross-reference server settings with checklist items.
- Document deviations and recommended changes.
- Schedule follow-up for implementing necessary changes.
- Plan and schedule regular compliance audits.
- Gather relevant documentation and system logs.
- Engage stakeholders for audit participation.
- Report findings and implement corrective actions.
7. Post-Testing Review
- Record detailed results of each test case.
- Include pass/fail status and any anomalies.
- Attach logs, screenshots, and supporting evidence.
- Ensure clarity and accuracy in documentation.
- Store results in a centralized repository for future reference.
- Categorize issues by severity and impact.
- Assign priority levels to each issue.
- Create a tracking system for issue management.
- Consult with team members for input on prioritization.
- Prepare an action plan for addressing critical issues.
- Compare current performance data with baseline metrics.
- Analyze trends or deviations from expected performance.
- Identify any performance bottlenecks or issues.
- Document findings and recommendations for improvement.
- Discuss results with relevant technical teams.
- Schedule a meeting with key stakeholders.
- Present findings and highlight critical issues.
- Encourage open discussion and questions.
- Gather feedback on test results and proposed solutions.
- Document stakeholder input for future reference.
- Establish a monitoring strategy for server performance.
- Schedule regular testing intervals for future assessments.
- Identify tools and resources needed for ongoing monitoring.
- Allocate responsibilities for monitoring tasks.
- Review and adjust the testing plan based on feedback.
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