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Status Delivered
Categories Functional Tester
Created by Guest
Created on Oct 30, 2020

IBM RFT support for implementing CI/CD or DevOps

We are trying to implement CI/CD using Jenkins and IBM RFT. The RFT runs on a Jenkins node (Windows VM) is invoked from a Jenkins master. We noticed few issues which are bottlenecks for this implementation. RFT execution fails with WindowsActivateFailed exception when we run the VM in disconnected mode. To overcome this issue we came across a tscon.exe file which disconnects in a special way, which allows RFT to run even in disconnected mode. However I faced another issue, where my VM has security policy to screen lock every 15 minutes of activity. This once again causes the same exception. I'm able to overcome by methods described below. However, I would like to check of RFT can be enhanced to support these in-built, i.e., to be able to run in disconnected mode etc. If tscon.exe can achieve this, then can that functionality be inbuilt into RFT. I have described below the tricks I use to overcome these issues.

I tried running below VB script which toggles Numlock key every 10 minutes, so that windows screen does not lock after 15 minutes. And it works, the scripts are able to run at 1 hour interval, when disconnect with tscon.exe file.

<br /><br />Dim objResult<br /><br />Set objShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") <br /><br />Do While True<br /><br /> objResult = objShell.sendkeys("{NUMLOCK}{NUMLOCK}")<br /><br /> Wscript.Sleep (600000)<br /><br />Loop<br /><br />

And also, our admin removed the screen lock policy temporarily to see if it helps, using regedit. And this also works, I have asked them if it can be made
as a permanent change in our VM.

So for now, I can manage the scheduling of RFT scripts, using all of below combination of tricks:

1) Connect Jenkins node using CLI method
2) tscon.exe to disconnect
3) vbs to toggle a numlock every 10 minutes

Only drawback in above is, for doing all three of above, I have to login to VM at least once after a restart of VM. If the RFE for Jenkins windows service issue is fixed, then (1) above can be done away. But (2) and (3) still have to be done manually. Can we open a RFE to address this issue. I think if it is addressed, then RFT and 3270 emulator testing can run completely run headless. Please let me know your suggestions and if my understanding is correct.

Thanks and Regards
Gopal

Idea priority Urgent
RFE ID 146408
RFE URL
RFE Product Rational Functional Tester
  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Mar 27, 2024

    The feature that you requested has been delivered and is available in release 2024.03

    Additional information can be found in documentation link: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/devops-test-ui/11.0.1?topic=notes-whats-new

  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Jul 13, 2023

    The feature that is described in this request is currently under development and should be included in a subsequent release.

  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Sep 1, 2022

    The feature that is described in this request is a candidate for a future release

  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Apr 14, 2022

    Updated Comment: Although the theme of this request is consistent with our business strategy, it is not committed to the release that is currently under development.

  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Apr 14, 2022

    The feature that is described in this request is a candidate for a future release

  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Apr 14, 2022

    The feature that is described in this request is a candidate for a future release

  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Nov 12, 2020

    A preliminary evaluation of this request indicates that it is consistent with our business strategy. Further evaluation of this RFE is underway.