MyTestbed automates various system configuration steps and is able to run benchmarks on top of original and custom database software. It provides a unique interface based on test specifications given in a custom XML syntax. These specifications are compact and verbose enough to be later used as a documentation of the tests performed.

The software design is modularized and allows relatively easy extension. The existing modules are well readable and documented and can serve as examples. The framework and modules are based on GNU tools and free XML utilities (libxslt and rnv) only. The used tools are mature enough to guarrantee a long lasting usefulness.

The included modules feature…

• complete backup of testbed scripts at each run to facilitate repeatable research.
• extensive logging and console output.
• software RAID and filesystem configuration.
• automatic creation and use of partition images of reusable data.
• control of the I/O scheduler, page cache, disk read-ahead, sysctls, and ulimits.
• kernel exchange, kernel command line configuration, and reboot with work continuation.
• an adapter interface to the dbt2 and dbt3 benchmarks.
• scripts that compile and install original and custom source packages of PostgreSQL.