💻Google Launches Windows VMs for Testing, 2-3 Minute Cold Boot
Windows testing just got easier, but slower
TL;DR
Google now offers Windows VMs for testing with a 2-3 minute cold boot time. Perfect for developers needing a full desktop environment, but slower than Linux containers.
Google has launched a new service for testing Windows desktop apps with full VMs, addressing the need for a graphical desktop environment. These VMs take 2-3 minutes to boot cold, a significant delay compared to Linux containers. Developers will appreciate the ability to run full Windows apps, but the cold boot time means warm pools are essential for efficiency. The service uses Kubernetes custom resources to manage VMs, ensuring each is single-use and disposable after a test. This is a big deal for anyone needing to test Windows apps in a cloud environment.
Key Points
Windows VMs boot cold in 2-3 minutes, significantly slower than Linux containers.
Each VM is single-use and is destroyed after a test, ensuring no leftover processes or user profiles.
Kubernetes custom resources manage VMs, tracking state and ensuring durability.
Warm pools keep VMs booted and logged in, reducing cold boot time for subsequent tests.
The service uses CDP, Appium, and WebRTC for communication between the test and VM.
Why It Matters
If you're testing Windows desktop apps in the cloud, Google's new Windows VMs are a game-changer. The 2-3 minute cold boot time is a bottleneck, but warm pools mitigate this. Smaller teams might find the setup overhead too high, but larger organizations with frequent testing will see benefits. The single-use nature of VMs ensures no leftover data, enhancing security.
Comments
Be the first to comment
Enjoyed this article?
Get it daily. 7am. Free. Reads in 5 minutes.
Join 3,569 builders reading daily.