Ascert Knowledgebase

Does the browser web UI support Google Chrome?

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:13:48 -0700

Our initial trials have shown that the VersaTest/AS web UI runs well under Chrome, and seems significantly faster and more responsive than on other browsers. We believe this is down to the Javascript optimisation work done by Google, and the obvious alignment of Google Web Toolkit (GWT) with Google's browser work.

We plan to support Chrome alongside Internet Explorer and Firefox in the final product versions of the web UI, although pre-release or early adopter versions will be tested first under Internet Explorer whilst this remains the main browser found on enterprise desktops.

What Java versions does VersaTest support

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 01:14:31 -0800

As of the date of this article, which corresponds with VersaTest/AS v1.14.0, the minimum Java version required to run VersaTest is Java 8, which is the version used to build VersaTest.

Users should, be aware that only the Java LTS (Long Term Support) versions continue to receive updates once the next version of Java version is released. For this reason, VersaTest is only bundled with Java LTS versions, and we would recommend that live VersaTest installations are always based on LTS versions unless specific Java features or fixes require otherwise. As of now the Java LTS versions are:

Java 8
Java 11

The next LTS release is expected to be Java 17, which currently has a target release of September 2021.

Internally, we regularly use and test against more recent versions of Java, and the most recent which is known to be usable with VersaTest 1.14.0 is Java 14. Due to Java release cadence, Java 14 is no longer a current release and there are known issues with Java 15 (the current release) due to the removal of the built-in Javascript runtime. These are being worked on as of the date of this article

Does every VersaTest user require a separate license?

Mon, 27 Feb 2006 17:29:08 -0800

No. VersaTest is licensed on a per-server basis. You can have as many client users as you like.

How often are new versions of VersaTest released?

Mon, 27 Feb 2006 17:29:08 -0800

We don't adhere to a regular timed release schedule, so the number and timing of releases is variable.

We're constantly striving to improve our tools and our philosophy is to provide releases as soon as enhancements or fixes are available.

What is VPRO-G?

Mon, 27 Feb 2006 17:29:08 -0800

VPRO-G is the original product name for the NSK Guardian version of VersaTest. It was changed to VersaTest in the 1990's in order to have a more meaningful brand name.

Can I develop my own DFS Drivers?

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:12:33 -0700

Yes

Ascert's policy for VersaTest has, and will always be, that it is an open platform that user's can script to meet their own testing and simulation needs.

To further enhance this position, Ascert will shortly be releasing a Driver Development Kit (DDK for short) to open the world of DFS driver development to users and partners. The DDK will be an optional add-on for VersaTest Automator users. The DDK will include the documentation and tools necessary for user's to develop their own drivers.

Contact your Ascert representative or agent for further information and pricing on the DDK.

What is "FPS"?

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 09:46:53 -0700

The UK Faster Payments System is an initiative to speed up UK internet, phone and standing order payments.

Immediate Payments Ltd will be delivering this service in November 2007, more details of which can be found on the IPL website and the consortium partner websites:

The FPS Driver is a pre packaged VersaTest driver supporting the FPS ISO 8583 message set used by the Central Infrastructure (CI) switch provided by LINK. The driver is dual role and can be configured to simulate either FPS Members generating message traffic into the CI, or as a CI simulator generating message traffic to a member system.

The FPS Driver can be used as a standalone driver within a full copy of VersaTest or alternatively can be integrated into a larger test automation environment using Ascert's VersaTest Automation Server, including test case definition and execution from within a Mercury Quality Center environment.

What is the FPS Member Simulator?

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 09:43:42 -0700

LINK and Immediate Payments Ltd have contracted Ascert to provide a low-cost Member Simulator to make available to all FPS Members, providing a pre-packaged solution for Self Certification and also other more general functional testing needs of members preparing their in-house systems for connection to the LINK Central Infrastructure (CI) switch.

The FPS Member Simulator is a complete package, containing:

a packaged FPS Member Simulator driver
pre-build Self Certification test cases supplied by LINK
various pre-configured sample "test environments" for the different types of FPS connection and session options, plus back-to-back environments for demo and training purposes
a limited-use OEM version of VersaTest to run under the Windows, licensed just for execution of the FPS Member Simulator

In additon to the test cases provided, the FPS Member Simulator supports the complete FPS ISO 8583 message set and allows any combination of valid and invalid messaging scenarios to be defined and executed.

For users wishing to go beyond what is available in the low-cost standard simulator, various upgrade options are available:

add-on options for stress test projects
upgrades to full VersaTest copies
other operating system and platform options
integration with VersaTest Automation Server and Mercury Quality Center for more advanced test case management and automation

What is the LIS5 Driver?

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:30:43 -0700

LIS5 is the Link Switch Service Interchange Standard, a UK Payments Switch for transactions originating from ATMs and mobile telephones.

The LIS5 Switch is maintained by VocaLink.

See www.vocalink.com for more details.

The LIS5 Driver is comprised of pre-packaged VersaTest driver scripts built on Ascert's Driver Framework Standard (DFS), a component of the larger Ascert VersaTest Automation Server (VersaTest/AS) solution.

By following the VersaTest Automation Server model, the LIS5 Driver provides very fine-grained test definition, and a high level of test automation and validation. The exact format and contents of messages to be exchanged and verified can be defined and modified entirely through data and configuration files. This enables test analysts to create test cases and scenarios without needing to understand VersaTest's underlying scripting language (VTALK) or modify the LIS5 Driver script itself.

There are currently two versions of the LIS5 driver available supporting either the LIS5-2007 or LIS5-2008 releases of the LIS5 interchange.

The LIS5 driver can be used to simulate either LIS5 acquirers, LIS5 issuers or the LIS5 switch depending on what system(s) is/are under test.

The standard LIS5 Driver package is supplied with a back-to-back demonstration environment (lis5_demo_b2b). Bespoke environments can be supplied by separate arrangement.