Cross-platform browser testing with Selenium: Linux, Windows, and Mac

Hey everyone,

I’m stuck with a testing dilemma. My dev setup is all Ubuntu, and I’ve got Hudson and Selenium running smoothly for my web app tests on Linux browsers. But I’m scratching my head about testing on IE and other Windows browsers without setting up a whole new Windows environment.

I thought about using a VM, but then I’d need to set up Selenium there too. And how would I kick off those tests? Should I install Hudson in the VM and basically duplicate my entire CI setup?

What about Mac testing? Has anyone cracked the code for seamless cross-platform automated testing? Any tricks or tips would be super helpful!

Thanks in advance for your input!

hmm, have u considered docker containers for cross-platform testing? they might let u simulate various os environments for selenium tests, bypassing full vms or cloud setups. has anyone tried this? curious what others think?

Cross-platform browser testing can be challenging, but there are effective solutions. I’ve found that using cloud-based testing platforms like BrowserStack or Sauce Labs can be a game-changer. These services provide access to various browsers and operating systems without the need for local VMs or hardware.

You can integrate these platforms with your existing Selenium setup and Hudson CI. They offer APIs and plugins that allow you to trigger tests on different environments directly from your build process. This approach maintains your single point of control on Ubuntu while expanding your test coverage.

For Mac-specific testing, you might consider setting up a small Mac mini as a dedicated test node. It can be relatively cost-effective and integrate well with your existing infrastructure. Remember to factor in licensing costs for Windows and macOS when budgeting for your testing strategy.

yo, have u tried selenoid? its like docker for selenium, pretty cool. runs browsers in containers, supports diff OSs. no need for full VMs or extra hardware. integrates with ur current setup ez. might be worth checkin out for ur cross-platform headache