Is it possible to run Coded UI tests without having to connect via remote desktop?

Question

I'm attempting to automate Coded UI tests.

My test controller launches the tests on a remote test server, which I normally access via a Remote Desktop connection.

Is it possible to run the Coded UI tests without having to connect via remote desktop?

Currently, the tests only run when I have connected via Remote Desktop, and the window must be open. When I close the Remote Desktop session, the tests do not run.

If it isn't possible to run coded UI tests without remote desktop, how can I automate connecting via remote desktop?

Thanks

Answer 1

I ran into the same issue with our remote test machine, but our test machines run on Hyper-V. With Hyper-V, the solution is simply to connect via Hyper-V instead of Remote Desktop Connection, and closing the Hyper-V connection won't lock the computer.

Another suggestion would be to get around the fact that Remote Desktop automatically locks your screen. There's a quick bit about that here: http://homeservershow.com/remote-desktop-session-locks-workstation-after-exit.html

Basically, run "tscon.exe RDP-Tcp#0 /dest:console" in command prompt from the remote machine when you want to disconnect. The machine should remain unlocked and the tests will run just fine.

According to @Zatricion, that command can be generalized:

tscon.exe %sessionname% /dest:console

Answer 2

The easiest solution to this problem was simply to enable auto-logon on my test environment (there are a variety of ways of doing this depending on OS).

With auto-logon enabled, when I restart the test environment (using the 'shutdown.exe /r' command, which can be scripted), the test environment loads back up with an active, logged on session, and so the tests can run successfully.

For my nightly test automation, I enabled auto-logon on my test environment and scheduled a restart prior to test execution.

I have had no issues with this method - and it means I don't have to connect via Remote Desktop.