Ranorex with Jenkins - best practice ?

[Lyuba Boerma]

Maybe some of you have advice how to make work with Jenkins better ..
I have a build trigger for test ,when something was pushed to Git. An idea is that test should start running. But it is not always like this.
Often test didn't start running because:
- screen was locked ( i have a caffeine application, but sometimes it is also not running,when you need it)
-or Some windows updates Show up and notification blocks

So it is a little bit annoying always to check first manually if there is no updates and so on..

If you also have such issues, how do you deal with it?)
Any ideas are welcome
Thanks

[odklizec]

Hi,

I don't have any experience with Caffeine app. I'm using LogonExpert app, which seems to be quite reliable? So I'm not experiencing problems with locked screen. As for machine updates, yes, these occasionally happens. But usually, they are not a problem either. Updates are usually done silently and each VM restarts on a daily basis. So my recommendation is to try LogonExpert instead of Caffeine (for reliable desktop unlocking) and request your IT to perform silent updates. And then schedule a VM restart (another Jenkins job), which would be performed on daily basis (during night hours).

[Lyuba Boerma]

Nice Idea with VM Restart, thanks! i will try

[dukemiller123]

thanks,
I'll try also

[mbrees86]

I'd love to see some information on spinning up a VDI when the Jenkins build is initiated, tests are run, then it is torn down after the tests execute. If anyone can point somewhat in that direction I'd love to figure this out!

Currently I tried using a Remote Desktop and I have issues with the screen locking when I minimize it or if I'm not actively connected it just dies, which doesn't work well for scheduling.

[odklizec]

Hi,

Locking desktop when minimized is a security feature of RD. You must either use on of the workarounds, discussed in the past (check these posts >here< or >here< or >here<)
or use VNC instead or DRP, which keeps unlocked even if minimized of closed. I'm personally using LogonExpert, which keeps the desktop unlocked or automatically unlocks machine on restart.