What is Cloud Testing
Cloud testing is a software testing where we use cloud computing, that means we use the resources found in the cloud. Resources can be any infrastructure or hardware/ software necessary to carry out the tests. Easy access to the cloud environment helps organizations approach software testing as an easily scalable, on-demand service.
What is Cloud
Cloud is a global network of servers that perform some unique function. These servers are created to store or manage data or execute applications/services. We can access the data through internet, which is available anytime whenever we need it.
Cloud-Testing Life Cycle

Life cycle involves below activities :
- Test manager plays the role of Test Admin.
- Test admin identifies the Test scenarios and based on the test scenarios create the testcases.
- Based on Test scenarios and Testcase, automated scripts are generated by Test admin or Tester.
- Once Cloud -Service provider is available to Test admin, he creates users for testers.
- Cloud-service provider set-up the infrastructure.
- Testers use the credentials and log in to the portal and use the assets available on cloud.
- Testers do the testing. After the testing process, the provider delivers the test results.
Types of Testing supported:

- Stress: Stress Testing is used to verify the capability of software product to maintain a defined level of effectiveness beyond breaking point. It is important for any product to work even under uncontrolled stress and support stability. But the cost of creating such scenarios is huge. Instead of investing capital in building on-premises testing environments, this testing offers an affordable and scalable option.
- Load: In Load testing we load an application with heavy user traffic and measure its response. There is also a need to adjust the performance of any product to meet defined standards. Few tools are available for this purpose.
- Performance: Performance Testing under a certain workload is necessary. With the help of this testing, it is easy to create such environment and differ the traffic nature on-demand. This productively decreases cost and time by simulating thousands of targeted users parallelly.
- Functional: Functional testing of both internet and non-internet software applications can be done using cloud testing. The process of verification against requirements is carried out in the cloud instead of on-premises software testing.
- Compatibility: Using cloud environment, sample of different operating systems can be produced on demand, making compatibility testing effortless.
- Browser Performance: Testing in various versions of browsers can be done on cloud.
- Latency: Cloud testing is used to compute the latency between the action and the corresponding response for any software application after deploying it on cloud.
Strong points of cloud-based software testing:
- The testing environment is dynamic and easily available. The on-demand nature of cloud-based testing is a big draw for organizations who need fast turnaround time and do not mind self-service. Most cloud applications work using a subscription model, so any user with a browser can register and start testing immediately.
- The services are secure and affordable. You can conduct testing on public, private, or hybrid clouds.. The public cloud is the most cost-efficient choice, while maintaining an acceptable level of security.For both cost-effectiveness and top-level security, many companies go for testing in hybrid cloud.
- Elastic scalability. Cloud-based testing allows you to work up and word down as your needs change or your project goals change.
- It allows for simple disaster recovery. Cloud support quick and easy recovery of any assets, not laborious, or complex.
- Cost-effective overall. Working on the cloud lowers costs associated with server maintenance and engineer labour.
Though cloud-based testing offers advantages, there also drawbacks to observe before adopting it as a part of our QA approach.
Below are some of the drawbacks:
- Bandwidth issue: To make Cloud Based Testing tool effective, we will need huge amount of bandwidth. On a cloud environment, many other organizations share the resources.
- Loss of autonomy and security: On becoming a subscriber to a cloud-based testing application, you hand over your data and information to an outside party. Though in most cases your data is safe and confidential, in some cases it can be risky.
Tools for Testing
Following are some of the popular tools for Testing Cloud applications:
- SOASTA is cloud-based load test for mobile and web applications. It gives runtime analysis, and it identifies and redeploys automatically during service fails on a host.
- Blazemeter supports end-to-end performance and load testing features. It runs selenium scenario with your own scripts.
- Appthwack is a cloud-based simulator that is compatible with any platform. It makes sure about complete verification of all features.
- Load storm users can utilize it to simulate various testing scenarios in a cost-effective manner for both mobile and web applications.
- Nessus is a security testing tool used to detect misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, missing patches, malware, viruses, and backdoors.
A Few Real-Time Examples of Cloud
-Google -Drive, Email, Photo
-Skype, Facebook, WhatsApp
Conclusion
Cloud computing is one of the newest technologies in the industry. Most companies are ready to adopt the cloud because of its flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
This testing is tremendously helping organizations to obtain the required tools, software licenses, infrastructures at low cost without having to set it up themselves and then worry about its maximum utilization.