How far would you go to test network performance of your mobile application?
Mobile users expect consistent user experience from their applications - whether they are on a crowded train in NY subway (or) enjoying a holiday at Alps (or) camping in the rugged terrains of the Grand Canyon. The application faces its real test when accessing varying network parameters in the real world conditions explained above. Varying bandwidth, delays, jitters and packet loss are few of those unpredictable but decisive parameters that influence network performance. An application should be versatile enough to perform under such varied conditions; smart enough to detect any degrade in network performance and should keep the user informed of these scenarios to the maximum extent possible.
Smartphones and Tablets today have an inherent capability to store/log network parameters. There are tools available that simulate network variances in a lab environment. The need of the hour is to merge these two to form a comprehensive mobile network performance test framework. Through our article titled "4E framework for Mobile network variability testing" (published in Testing Experience Magazine, September 2012 edition), Kiran Marri and myself have talked about a structured approach to Network performance testing in lab, which helps achieve near real-time network variability coverage at the same time minimizing the amount of on-field testing required. The article can be accessed at http://www.infosys.com/IT-services/independent-validation-testing-services/Pages/effective-network-performance-QA.aspx
