How to add autotest clients

The procedure for adding a test system as a autotest client is described below. This example requires a working autotest server installed and configured.

Install client

It doesn't matter what operating system you install on the host as long as our packages are built for it.

1. Add the same repositories as mentioned in the autotest-server installation guide.
2. Install packages autotest and autoqa.
3. Comment out all lines in /etc/cron.d/autoqa.

Automatic installation of virtual AutoQA clients
If you intend to install a lot of virtualized AutoQA clients, you can take advantage of a little script we created for that purpose. It will save you a lot of manual labor. Read Automate AutoQA clients installation.

Register client

The test system must be added to the autotest database:

1. Direct your web browser to your autotest server
2. Click Admin interface
3. Select Hosts
4. Select Add host
5. Enter a valid hostname and select appropriate labels for the system. For information on the labels AutoQA uses, see Managing autotest labels.
6. When finished, click Save

Alternatively, you can do this from a command line from autotest server:

# su - autotest
# atest host create -t <platform> -b <labels> <hostname>

Enable Login Access

The autotest server relies on passwordless ssh logins to communicate with test clients. The procedure below outlines a method for establishing passwordless ssh login.

1. First, login to the autotest server using ssh
2. Next, start a shell as the autotest user

   # su - autotest

3. Now, install your public key in a remote machine’s authorized_keys file

   # ssh-copy-id -i $HOME/.ssh/id_rsa.pub root@client.example.com

4. Finally, confirm that passwordless logins function as expected. When substituting your client hostname, the following command should not prompt for a password:

   # ssh root@client.example.com

For additional documentation, consult the autotest system administrator documentation.

Verify client

This procedure should help you to ensure everything is setup properly:

1. Direct your web browser to your autotest server
2. Click Host List
3. Select your newly-added client with a checkbox
4. Click Actions → Reverify hosts
5. Your new client's status should change to Verifying. If everything is correct, it should change back to Ready in a minute (refresh the page).