Ubuntu Wiki

Include(Testing/Header)

Preparations

What you need

• A spare computer or hard drive for test installs. (A virtual machine can be used but we would prefer to see more tests performed on a variety of physical hardware.)

• A moderate level of Linux experience so you are able to find the relevant log files and produce useful bug reports: ReportingBugs

• Some available time before a milestone release to perform tests and file reports.

Setting up

• If you do ot already have one, set up a [https://launchpad.net Launchpad] account so you can report bugs. If you have signed up to edit the Ubuntu wiki you will already have a Launchpad account.

• Register with the test tracker at [http://iso.qa.ubuntu.com/ iso.qa.ubuntu.com] which lets you report your test results. If you have registered for Brainstorm you already have an account.

• Select the ISO images you expect to test and look over the relevant test cases, making sure you have the test setup you need.
• You can sign up for individual test cases on any ISO. This help evertyone see which tests are being covered and sends you a notification email when a new build is available, provided you have opted in to email notification (user settings).

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Downloading images

Daily ISO images are found at [http://cdimage.ubuntu.com cdimage.ubuntu.com]. We advise that you download the images you expect to test ahead of time and use rsync to update them, as this will reduce the turn around time on testing. Rsync only downloads the parts of the image that have changed and typically takes about 10% of the full download time with resonably fresh images. See [https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RsyncCdImage instructions on using rsync].

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The images currently being tested are listed on [http://iso.qa.ubuntu.com/ iso.qa.ubuntu.com] with a direct dowload link and the appropriate rsync command for your conveniance. Updates to these builds will be announced on #ubuntu-devel, #ubuntu-testing and (optionally) by email.

Testing

In doing specific testing of the CD/DVD images it is important to focus on those aspects that are typically not used by those who simply run the latest unstable version on their system through daily updates (Such testing is of course also extremely valuable). Key points in image testing include image integrity (md5sums), Live CD and installer functionality.

See the overview of [:Testing/InstallMethods:Install Methods].

attachment:iso-report.png

Filing bugs

As with all testing it is important to [https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs file bugs]. If you find a bug, please, search if it has already been reported, and if it hasn't, report it yourself. You should also refer to the [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DebuggingProcedures bug filing/debugging guide] for that specific package (if available) to make sure you are aware of known issues and have attached the relevant log files.

Reporting results

Once you have completed your testing of a particular image, you can [:Testing/Community/ReportingResults:report your results].