2023

A COMPARISON OF SYSTEM
INTEGRATION AND ISOLATION TESTING:
DETERMINING APPROPRIATE USAGE
FOR EACH

ADVANCED E&D
SYSTEMS ENGINEERING WHITEPAPER
A COMPARISON OF SYSTEM INTEGRATION AND ISOLATION TESTING:
DETERMINING APPROPRIATE USAGE FOR EACH
  

Precision vs. Completeness: How to Maximize the

Effectiveness of System Testing by Using a
Combination of Approaches

Throughout a system's lifespan, both system isolation testing and system integration
testing serve vital functions. These methodologies are widely used in various fields,
including telecommunications, software design, electronics, mechanical systems, and
even complex domains like industrial processes or biological networks. While system
isolation testing (SIT) involves evaluating individual components of a system in isolation,
system integration testing (SIT) verifies the interaction between integrated components.
System isolation testing becomes essential when dissecting complex networks, such as
metabolic pathways, where isolating individual components allows researchers to study
their behavior in controlled conditions 1. Conversely, system integration testing finds
relevance in fields like transportation infrastructure, ensuring that various components
such as bridges, tunnels, and roadways integrate seamlessly for optimal functionality 2.
The effective use of these methodologies often involves a combination of both
approaches. In the context of ecological studies, for example, isolating individual species
for behavioral observation (system isolation) while simultaneously examining their
interactions in a broader ecosystem (system integration) provides a comprehensive
understanding of ecological dynamics 3.
The decision of when to employ one method over the other, or a combination of both,
hinges on the research objectives. Using these methods appropriately helps practitioners
create more robust and adaptable systems and understand them in more detail.

1 Blüthgen, N., Menzel, F., Hovestadt, T., Fiala, B., & Blüthgen, N. (2007). Specialization, constraints, and conflicting interests in mutualistic networks.
Current Biology, 17(4), 341-346
2 Feld, J. P., Kuckelkorn, T., Schütz, P., & Wehrle, K. (2016). Concepts for Integrated System and Network Testing in the Mobility Lab Aachen. In 2016
IEEE/IFIP Network Operations and Management Symposium (NOMS) (pp. 434-439). IEEE
3 Tylianakis, J. M., Laliberté, E., Nielsen, A., & Bascompte, J. (2010). Conservation of species interaction networks. Biological Conservation, 143(10),
2270-2279

A COMPARISON OF SYSTEM INTEGRATION AND ISOLATION TESTING:

1 DETERMINING APPROPRIATE USAGE FOR EACH
 
  

System Isolation Testing

Isolation testing, also known as component isolation, is the process of systematically

removing or disconnecting each component from a system or device one at a time to
identify the problematic or defective component that is causing the issue. The process
helps narrow down the source of the problem by isolating each system module
individually and can be an effective method for diagnosing and resolving issues in
complex setups. The impact on the overall behavior or functionality of the system is
observed as components or subsystems are sequentially removed or disconnected.
Conversely, component isolation can be used to identify defects and vulnerabilities
specific to each part of the system, ensuring that they function correctly on their own. In
this case, dependency injection and mocking techniques are often utilized to create
controlled testing environments.
The method of troubleshooting through component isolation is widely used in diverse
domains, and it typically involves the following steps:
 Defining the problem: Clearly defining the issue and understanding its symptoms
or manifestations within the system
 Planning the isolation sequence: Determining the order in which components or
subsystems will be isolated or disconnected for testing
 Isolating components: Sequentially removing or disconnecting individual
components or subsystems from the system while observing the system's
behavior or performance
 Measuring the impact: Assessing the system's behavior or performance after
each isolation step to identify any changes or improvements. This can involve
various measurements, observations, or tests depending on the nature of the
system
 Determining the faulty component: Based on the observations made during the
isolation process, identifying the specific component that is causing the problem

The following are some of the main advantages of such an approach:

 Localization of Problems: When an issue is detected during isolation testing, it's
easier to pinpoint the specific component or module that is causing the problem.
This can reduce the complexity of troubleshooting and make it faster to fix
problems at the source

A COMPARISON OF SYSTEM INTEGRATION AND ISOLATION TESTING:

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 Early Detection of Issues: Isolation testing allows developers to catch defects

within individual components early in the development cycle. Identifying and
addressing these issues at the unit level prevents them from propagating into the
larger system, making the overall debugging process more efficient
 Rapid Feedback Loop: As soon as a new component is introduced, the
corresponding unit tests can be run to quickly identify any issues. This immediate
feedback loop improves efficiency and supports the practice of continuous
integration
 Time and cost savings: Identifying and addressing issues at the component level
can save time and money, as it is less time-consuming and costly than dealing
with issues at higher levels of system integration, or during production
While isolation testing can be a useful troubleshooting method, it does have some
disadvantages. One such disadvantage is that it can disrupt the normal operation of a
system by disconnecting or removing components. This can be problematic in scenarios
where the system needs to be operational continuously or where the removal of a
specific component may cause the system to become unstable or non-functional.
Further, there is limited effectiveness for interdependent issues. Isolation testing is most
effective when the issue can be traced to a single faulty component. However, some
problems may be caused by multiple interdependent factors or interactions between
components. In such cases, isolation testing may not identify the root cause of the issue,
leading to further troubleshooting challenges.
The process of isolating components one by one also introduces the possibility of
misdiagnosis. It's possible that a component may appear to be faulty when it is not, or
that multiple components are contributing to the problem.
Isolation testing's main emphasis lies in detecting defective components, yet it might not
uncover deeper systemic problems or complex interactions within the system. Some
problems may be caused by broader issues, such as compatibility conflicts or systemic
failures. These problems cannot be easily isolated or identified through component-level
testing alone. To overcome these drawbacks, it is frequently advantageous to combine
isolation testing with other troubleshooting methods in order to gain a more
comprehensive understanding of the problem and arrive at an accurate diagnosis.

A COMPARISON OF SYSTEM INTEGRATION AND ISOLATION TESTING:

3 DETERMINING APPROPRIATE USAGE FOR EACH
 
  

System Integration Testing

In engineering, system integration is the process of bringing together individual

subsystems into a single system (an aggregation of subsystems cooperating so that the
system is able to deliver the overarching functionality) and ensuring that the subsystems
function together as a system 4. System integration testing (SIT) is a type of testing that
verifies the correctness of the interactions between different modules or components of
a system. The primary goal of system integration testing is to ensure that these
components work together as intended and that the integrated system functions as a
cohesive whole. It is typically performed after unit testing and before system testing.
System Integration Testing should be used when:
 The system is composed of multiple modules or components. SIT is essential for
systems structured this way, as it permits the identification and isolation of
defects in the interactions between modules or components
 New modules or components are added to the system. SIT should be performed
to verify that the new modules or components integrate correctly with the existing
system
 Changes are made to existing modules or components. SIT should be performed
to verify that the changes do not impact the interaction between modules or
components
 The system is complex. This is because complex systems are more likely to have
defects in the interactions between modules or components
 The system has a high degree of coupling. Coupling is the degree to which
modules or components are dependent on each other. High coupling can make
it more difficult to test the systems, as it can be difficult to isolate defects in
individual modules or components. SIT can help to identify and fix defects in
systems with high coupling
 The system has a high degree of integration. Integration is the degree to which
modules or components are connected to each other. High integration can also
make it more difficult to test systems, as it can be difficult to test the interactions
between modules or components. SIT can help to identify and fix defects in
systems with high integration

4 Gilkey, Herbert T (1960), "New Air Heating Methods", New methods of heating buildings: a research correlation conference conducted by the Building
Research Institute, Division of Engineering and Industrial Research, as one of the programs of the BRI fall conferences, November 1959., Washington:
National Research Council (U.S.). Building Research Institute, p. 60, OCLC 184031

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 The system is used in a new environment. SIT should be performed to verify that
the system functions correctly in the new environment
 The system has high performance or scalability requirements
System Integration Testing is a crucial phase in the system development process, but
like any other approach, it has its disadvantages. The following are some potential
drawbacks of system integration testing:
 Complexity: As the system grows in complexity, the number of components and
their interactions increase. Testing all possible interactions becomes challenging
and resource-intensive
 Time-Consuming: System integration testing can be time-consuming because it
requires testing multiple interactions and scenarios. This can increase the
amount of time required to test the system
 Not all possible scenarios can be tested: It is not possible to test all possible
scenarios in SIT, as there may be an infinite number of possible combinations of
modules or components. This means that there is always a risk that some defects
will not be found
 Difficult to isolate defects: It can be difficult to isolate defects to a specific module
or component during SIT. This is because defects can often be caused by the
interaction of multiple modules or components
 Dependency Management: Managing dependencies between components can
be tricky. If a component is delayed or encounters issues, it can create a domino
effect, affecting the integration and testing of other components
 Integration Environments: Replicating the production environment for testing can
be difficult, potentially leading to differences in behavior between the testing
environment and the real world
 Regression Risk: While fixing integration issues, there's a risk of introducing
regressions into previously tested components. Changes made to address
integration problems might inadvertently affect components that were functioning
correctly
 Difficulty in Reproduction: Complex integration issues can be hard to reproduce
reliably, which makes it difficult to debug and fix them effectively 

In conclusion, system isolation testing and integration testing are two critical activities in the system development
lifecycle, each having a separate but complimentary role. While system isolation testing ensures component reliability,
integration testing confirms the overall performance of the integrated system. Using both forms is critical to ensuring
a thorough review of the system and its preparedness for deployment.
In addition to these two strategies, several alternate methods for system testing can be used. These strategies, when
combined, provide a comprehensive framework for improving system quality and addressing difficulties of varied
levels of complexity.

A COMPARISON OF SYSTEM INTEGRATION AND ISOLATION TESTING:

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A Comparison of System Integration and Isolation Testing:

Determining Appropriate Usage for Each, by Boban Pesakovic
August 2023
Copyright © Advanced E&D

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