Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for automated distributed testing of software. A testing service may utilize a distributed architecture that provides a standardized framework for writing tests, scheduling the tests, and gathering and reporting results of the tests. Multiple distributed labs are integrated into the testing service and their environments can be centrally managed by the testing service. The testing service permits the scheduling and performance of tests across multiple machines within a test lab, or tests that span across multiple test labs. Any of the machines in the test labs may be selected based on variety of criteria. The testing service may then automatically locate the appropriate machines that match or satisfy the criteria and schedule the tests when the machines are available. The testing service may also automatically create and set up a desired test environment according to the desired specifications for the test.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for controlling the write back caches in a computer system. In particular, when an event, such as a power failure or component failure, is detected, write back caching in both the computer system's memory and in the storage device are deactivated. In addition, one or both of the write back caches may be flushed to the storage medium.