Remote Testing
Description
Remote Testing published the component to the LivePreview folder on the development machine, allowing the component to be tested in the browser on a remote device, such as a phone or tablet.
Remote Test Configuration Options
Choose how to get the URL for the test page onto the device. There are several options:
- Option
- Description
- Send an email with the URL of the test page
If email is available on the remote device, Alpha Anywhere can send an email that contains the URL for the remote test page. Tap on the URL to open the remote test page in the browser on the device.
- Display a QR Code with the URL of the test page
If the device has a QR Code reader, use this option to generate a QR Code that can be scanned top open the remote test page in the device's browser.
- Copy URL to Clipboard
Copies the URL to the computer's clipboard. The URL can then be pasted into a text editor or sent to the device using other methods.
- Do nothing
If the page or component was previously opened on a remote device, additional remote tests can be done by refreshing the page on the device.
Method to Retrieve URL
Configuring the Hostname
Specify the method for configuring the hostname. There are several options available:
- Option
- Description
- Automatic
Hostname is configured using the machine's name. Device must be connected to the same network as the machine running Alpha Anywhere, either on a home network or through a VPN connection.
- IP Address
Use this option to create a hostname using the IP address of the computer.
- Manual
Use this option to enter an explicit address for the machine. This address will typically be outside the firewall so that the remote device can see the computer.
See About the Host Name below for more information.
Query String
Specify an optional query string to append to the .a5w page.
About the Host Name
The hostname is used to construct the address of the Alpha Anywhere server running on the machine.
When testing in the browser on the development system (the machine where the component is being developed), the hostname is typically localhost. localhost refers to the system on which the browser is running.
When testing on a remote device, localhost cannot be used to create the address to the machine running Alpha Anywhere. An explicit hostname must be used.
The explicit hostname can take several forms:
- The machine's IP address. E.g. 192.70.80.23
- A domain name. E.g. www.mytestserver.com
- The machine's name. E.g. MYCOMPUTER
If the mobile device is connected to the same network as the machine running the Alpha Anywhere sever,the machine name of the computer running the Alpha Anywhere server can be used to generate the hostname. In a home setting, this is often the case. However, in a work setting, this may not be the case.
If the mobile device is not on the same network as the computer running Alpha Anywhere, connecting the mobile device to the network using a VPN (virtual private network) will allow the mobile device to see the computer.
If the mobile device is not on the same network and VPN is unavailable, an IP address or domain name that is outside the network firewall must be used to connect to the system running Alpha Anywhere.
See Also