Improving reliability of data protection software with integrated multilayered fault Injection testing

Abstract

Application involved in data protection for enterprises are responsible to ensure data integrity on backup target as well as remote site designed for disaster recovery (DR). By nature, backup applications needs to operate under very infrastructure which are prone to multiple failure right from physical to application layers. If applications are not designed to consider its operating environment effectively they may not respond to fault in operating environment and may result in data loss and data unavailability scenario. They could potential lead into false reporting which later can become issue with data integrity. We at EMC applied multilayered fault injection test strategy for backup product where we identified different layers of product operating environments. The interface between two layers was targeted to inject appropriate fault based on role and functionality of these layers. The response of application and its impact to product behavior was monitored and analyzed. This has helped improving various exception handling, product agility to fault operating environment and improving usability by providing better picture on failure in product. This session can help audience on understanding how an application operating environments plays key role in designing test strategy. This leads into improving product reliability and better customer experience about application.