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Testing is a tedious task that is necessary for almost every project in development. We use testing to ensure that the code written is functioning as intended and meets all the requirements requested by the customer. Normally, testing of identity management (IDM) drivers involves making events occur manually that the driver should be able to handle. We review the trace/log files created after each event and check the applications end results, to ensure everything is working correctly.

To help with this task and to also help with avoiding user mistakes, Novell is developing Identity Manager Validator. Validator allows developers to use java scripts or JSON files to run automated tests. Validator is still in in its Beta phase of development and not available to the public yet, but from my experience using it, it is extremely useful, easy to understand, and cuts testing times in half. 

Validator allows LDAP commands to be executed, to help simulate administrators adding, modifying, deleting, and performing various other tasks to directories, like eDirectory.  Validator actually works well with connecting to many types of directories as well as perform other tasks like running an executable and producing text delimited files. It’s simple to setup new connections for any type of testing. Although the “Results” tab on the Validator page gives good information on the script(s) executed, driver logs created were definitely needed to actually verify test results. A better debugging window or tab in the validator would be highly useful. Apache offers a free application, Directory Studio which I also use to verify events during testing. Using the application, along with Validator, I am able to quickly see status codes produced in real time. 

I am unsure when Validator will be released for public use. Putting aside what little improvements that could be made to help the application, I stand beside the fact that Validator is still extremely useful for testing and a valuable resource for the developers at my company.

Example Pic 1.1, 1.2: LDAP Creating a Test User

1.1

 

1.2

Example Pic 2.1, 2.2, 2.3: LDAP Creating Location/Facility and Group/Role Objects

2.1

2.2

2.3

Example Pic 3.1: LDAP Deleting a Test User and Generic Wait Call

3.1

Example Pic 4.1: Validator Results Log

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Example Pic 5.1: Validator New Connection

Thank you for your interest in the Novell/NetIQ Validator Beta application. For more information, please feel free to see this video of some of the applications features, Novell Identity Manager Validator (v0.5) Demo. I will try to answer any comments or questions to the best of my ability. Thank you again for your time. 

 

To learn more about identity management, please visit Action Identity. If you’d like to discuss an identity and access management solution for you, we invite you to contact us. 

 

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