Enable vSphere Web Client Automation

In this post I will provide some files and instructions that will allow you to create automated tests for the vSphere Web Client.

Important notes, before you start:

• This post describes how to enable the automation and not how to write automated tests. Refer to official Adobe documentation for instructions on automating flex application: Adobe Flex 4.6 * Creating applications for testing
• Instructions and bits provided here are version specific. When you upgrade your Web Client you need to refer back to this page and download the corresponding bits.
• Each zip file contains a PDF with instructions. Read them carefully before you begin and follow them strictly to avoid build or product issues.
• Create a backup copy of the modified files before you modify/replace them.
• Use the instructions here only for testing purposes and never in production environment.
• The instructions and bits here are provided without any warranty. If something doesn't work as explained or as expected, come back to this forum for support.

Summary

Enabling automation of a Flex application requires a number of libraries to be built in the application. The instructions and bits provided here will allow you to build you own customized copy of the vSphere Web Client.

Here is a summary of the steps that you need to perform to achieve this:

1. Download the attached vsphere-webclient-automation-x.y.x.zip file that matches the Web Client version that you use.
2. In your Web Client deployment find a file named container-app-war-x.y.z.war. This is a web archive that contains a file UI.swf. This is the main Flex application that is executed. It loads dynamically all other modules and plugins.
3. Copy the container-app-war-x.y.z.war file to your local machine.
4. Run the build script provided in the zip file. The build is Maven based. So you will need Java and Maven installed on your machine. Use the recommended versions specified in the PDF with instructions. The build might or might not work with the latest Java and Maven versions.
5. The script will build new UI.swf file and will replace the original one in the container-app-war-x.y.z.war file.
6. Finally you need to copy the modified container-app-war-x.y.z.war file to its original location.

The provided script (pom.xml) will include the following Adobe libraries in the Web Client build:

• automation.swc (version 4.6.b.23201)
• automation_agent.swc (version 4.6.b.23201)
• automation_dmv.swc (version 4.6.b.23201)
• automation_spark.swc (version 4.6.b.23201)

There are instructions how to include the Selenium Flex API library. The dependency is added in the build script for you, but is commented out.

Additionally you can include any arbitrary Flex library you want in your customized build of the UI.swf. Look for instructions in the PDF document within the ZIP file.

Enjoy!