Virtual clean machine
From MediaWiki extension testing
For testing an installation procedure a clean machine is needed. This is a virtual server with all the needed preparation. The extension can be installed as documented and it should work, if the extention is working correctly and the documentation is up to date and complete.
The extension builder has root access on this server so he/she can do anything he needs on the server to make his/her extension work. And while proceeding document his work.
The extension builder may give access to the extension user so the extension user may test it.
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Virtuozzo container
The testing server is a Virtuozzo container. This means that on Linux level major changes are not possible. But the user of the container does not have to take care of all recent Linux update versions. That is taken care of. Virtuozzo container pim
Linux version
From each version of the containers backups are made. So a restore of the original settings of PHP, MySQL and Apache are possible. But not of Linux. But often a specific Linux version does not cause different behaviour.
Support software for extension testing
The cleanmachine is really a clean machine with as little as possible additional software installed. The additional software is :
- Wikiation_installer Allows easy installation of a selected MediaWiki version and extensions.
- Wikiation check extension isolation Checks if, and how much, extensions are isolated from each other.
- Wikipedia NTPD synchronize the time of the server.
Update
Even the test software has to be updated sometimes. If you have got a cleanmachine for some time, an update may become available. With the Wikiation_installer you can update the installer with the statement:
update_self
Testing time
Because the extension builder has full access to the virtual server it can not be used for something else. So the time for testing will be limited so other users may use this virtual server as well.
Only test server
The virtual clean machine is ONLY for testing purposes.
If you get access to a virtual server, you will get it with the most recent software installed. You can do some updates, but not all. At least not fully automatic updates. If the changes are large you will be asked to save your content, and then, after your permission, the virtual server will be deleted. And you wil get a new version from the virtual server. This is the most easy way to ensure you have a good configurated version of the virtual server. And with limited administration time for you and for Wikiation.
If you need a production wiki for a longer period then choose one from wiki hosters availeble on the internet. Or from Wikiation with specific functionality with the name : Wikibox blue (Wikibox blauw in Dutch). Wikibox Blue is now, januari 2009, limited localized but will be soon fully localized. See http://www.wikiation.nl/Wiki_advice_and_wiki_hosting for contact info.
