Configure the VSE Recorder in the Workstation to capture HTTP/S transactions

Products

• CA Application Test
• CA Continuous Application Insight (PathFinder)
• Service Virtualization

Issue/Introduction

This document describes the basic steps to configure the VSE Recorder in the Workstation to capture HTTP/S transactions.

Environment

All supported DevTest releases.

Cause

N/A

Resolution

Start DevTest Workstation.

To start the VSE Recorder you can:

1. Select the VSE Recorder icon:

 

2. Select the "By Recording" option from the File, New menu:

 

3. Right Click in the Images folder and select the option 'Create New VS Image" and "By recording".

The VSE Recorder window will open.

4. Provide the Basic information:

• Write image to: this will be the name of the VSI file.
• Transport Protocol: select HTTP/S
• Export to: provide the path and the name of a file which the raw traffic will be saved.
• Model File: this will be the name of the VSM file.

Select Next.

5. In the next screen, provide the following fields:

• Listen/ Record on port: by default is it 8001, you can change the Listen port as needed.
• Target Host: the address of the live endpoint. The name or IP address of the target host where the service runs.
• Target Port: the target port number. The port to which the service is listening.

If the target endpoint is using SSL, we will need to select 'Use SSL to Server'. In this case, the communication between the VSE Recorder and the server will be over SSL.

If client authentication is required (mutual authentication, 2-way SSL) provide the client keystore under 'Use SSL to server', SSL keystore file and Keystore password.

If client authentication is not required (one-way SSL), there is no need to change the default keystore - webreckeys.ks, provided with the property ssl.client.cert.path.


6. When the option Use SSL to client is enabled, the communication between the client application and the VSE Recorder will be over SSL.

By default, the VSE Recorder will present the key under ssl.server.cert.path property to the client application.
If the client application does not accept this keystore, you can provide a valid key under 'Use SSL to client', SSL keystore file and Keystore password.

It is possible to leave 'Use SSL to server' enabled only. In this case, the client application needs to send an HTTP request to the VSE Recorder, and the VSE Recorder forwards an HTTPS request to the target endpoint.
 

Select Next.

7. In the next screen, the VSE Recorder will be listening for requests:

8. At this point, the VSE Recorder will be listening for transactions.

Configure the client application to send requests to the host where the VSE Recording is running.
If the client application and the VSE Recorder are running on the same host, you can use localhost or your local hostname or IP address.
In the example below, I am using a test step to send a request to the VSE Recorder

9. After the transactions are captured, proceed with the recording.

Select Next

10. In the next window provide a base path, if it was not already provided.

More information regarding base path can be found in the link below:
What is the base path in the Virtual Service Model?  - https://comm.support.ca.com/kb/what-is-a-base-path-in-a-virtual-service-model/kb000117800

11. In the next screen, select the Data Protocol Handlers as needed.

In this sample, the SOAP DPH was automatically selected.
For more information regarding Data Protocol Handlers, please use the link below:
Using Data Protocols - https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/ca-enterprise-software/devops/devtest-solutions/10-6/using/using-service-virtualization/using-devtest-workstation-with-service-virtualization/creating-service-images/using-data-protocols.html

Select Next.

12. Depending on the DPH selected and the type of transactions captured, the next screen will allow you to configure the transactions and arguments.

In the screen below we can select which transaction will be the conversation starter and the token identification.
If the transactions are stateless there is no need to select a conversation starter and token.
For more information regarding conversational and stateless transactions, please use the link below:
Stateless and Conversational VSE Transactions - https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/ca-enterprise-software/devops/devtest-solutions/10-6/using/using-service-virtualization/service-virtualization-concepts/vse-transactions/stateless-and-conversational-vse-transactions.html

Select Next.

13. In the next screen select 'Open the service image' and 'Open the generated virtual service model', with these options both VSI and VSM will open after we select the Finish button.

The Save icon at the bottom of the screen let us save the recording session definition (VRS file) to a local file.
For more information regarding VRS file, please use the link below:
What is a VRS file and how to create it using DevTest Workstation - https://comm.support.ca.com/kb/what-is-a-vrs-file-and-how-to-create-it/KB000076416

Select Finish to end the recording process.

 

Additional Information

Refer to section "Create a Service Image by Recording" in the documentation of the DevTest release you are running.