Building a Windows 2000 Test Lab

Before you deploy Microsoft® Windows® 2000, even in a pilot, be sure to test your proposed design in an environment that simulates and protects your production environment. You can verify your design by devising and conducting tests that reflect conditions in your target environment.

This chapter provides the test manager, as well as your deployment project teams, with general considerations for designing and running a test lab that meets the particular needs of your organization. Also, chapters throughout this book address testing issues with regard to particular Windows 2000 features.

In This Chapter

Getting Started with Your Test Environment

Determining the Lab Strategy

Testing After Deployment

Planning Task Lists for Lab Testing

Chapter Goals

This chapter will help you develop the following planning documents:
Lab description
Lab diagram
Escalation plan
Test plan
Test cases

Related Information in the Resource Kit

For more information about planning for application testing, see "Testing Applications for Compatibility with Windows 2000" in this book.
For more information about planning a pilot in your production environment, see "Conducting Your Windows 2000 Pilot" in this book.