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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions, click on the question to be brought to the answer, if you have any questions you would like to add, please email them to help@brandttechnologies.com

On what platforms does Shadow™ run?

Do I need a multi-monitor set up to use Shadow™?

Can I record my tests and play them back?

What is the difference between mimic mode and exact match mode?

What is the difference between Shadow™ and VNC?

What is the difference between Shadow™ and other automated testing solutions?

Is Shadow™ a remote PC controller?

Can I run the Shadow™ dispatcher and the viewer on the same PC?

How many PCs can I control using Shadow™?

Can Shadow™ work with virtual machines such as those provided by VMWare?

Part of my testing involves installing some software and doing a reboot, can Shadow™ handle this as part of a test?

Why did you create Shadow™? Are there not other testing tools out there?

Can I see Shadow™ in action, are there any demos?

On what platforms does Shadow™ run?

Shadow™ runs on Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows XP.

Do I need a multi-monitor set up to use Shadow™?

No you don't, Shadow™ can send the output from all systems under test to one screen, and these can be resized. Also you can select areas of a screen or windows if you wish.

Can I record my tests and play them back?

Yes, Shadow™ can play back recorded test scripts. It can play back the same test script on all machines or it can play back scripts that differ for each individual Shadow Target™.

What is the difference between mimic mode and exact match mode?

Shadow™ uses both of these types of mode when controlling multiple systems simultaneously. Mimic mode is where the all user input such as keystrokes and mouse movements are passed directly and without change to the Shadow Target™. Exact match mode is where user input is examined "intelligently" and applied to the appropriate place on the desktop. We use image processing to identify the location where the user input occurs on the controlling machine. The location on the desktop could be different for each Shadow Target™.

What is the difference between Shadow™ and VNC?

VNC is a product that connects two machines in one session. Shadow is a product that connects one or more machines in the same session. The user may use one machine to control the others or may interact with each system individually. Shadow™ gives the user the ability to record and playback actions, VNC does not. Shadow™ allows the user connect to, and control multiple machines simultaneously in one session.

What is the difference between Shadow™ and other automated testing solutions?

Shadow™ is different from other testing tools. Shadow™ does not use the traditional 'under the hood' methods to detect what is happening with the software. As a result it is more flexible and can test a great variety of software from standard applications to multimedia and animated tours.

Is Shadow™ a remote PC controller?

Yes, but Shadow™ can also do so much more. Shadow™ can control not just one system, but it can control many systems simultaneously. The user can record and playback scripts on Shadow, which may not be possible on PC controllers.

Can I run the Shadow Dispatcher and the Shadow Viewer on the same PC?

Yes, both the Shadow Viewer and Shadow Dispatcher can be run on the same machine. Shadow™ is composed of a suite of tools. The Shadow Target runs on the system to be controlled. The Shadow Dispatcher controls connections and performs housekeeping between the connected machines. The Shadow Viewer allows the user to see and interact with all of the machines connected to the Shadow dispatcher.

How many PCs can I control using Shadow™?

The number of machines Shadow™ can control depends on a number of factors such as machine memory, screen resolution and bit depth. The actual number of machines capable of being controlled can vary. With typical industrial settings, we regularly control three or four machines at a time on project work.

Can Shadow™ work with virtual machines such as those provided by VMWare?

Yes, Shadow™ can work with virtual machines. Shadow™ does not treat any machine, real or virtual, differently. As long as a machine can see the network and has a Shadow Target running on it, Shadow™ can connect to it.

Part of my testing involves installing some software and doing a reboot, can Shadow™ handle this as part of a test?

Yes, Shadow™ can handle a reboot as part of a test script. The system will wait a sensible, user customised, amount of time for the system running the Shadow Target to reboot.

Why did you create Shadow™? Are there not other testing tools out there?

Shadow™ is different from many other testing tools. Shadow can be set up quickly, learned quickly and be productive quickly. The reasons for creating Shadow™ were; there is no tool available like this today, and we need this functionality to improve our efficiency.

Can I see Shadow™ in action, are there any demos?

Yes! you can download an evaluation version of Shadow™ or if you just want to see it in action, you can watch our Shadow™ videos here