User Story

As an OpenShift engineer, I want comprehensive CI testing for vSphere 7.x deprecation and removal features so that we can ensure the implementation works correctly across all scenarios.

Description

Implement CI testing to validate both the deprecation warning phase and the support removal blocking phase of the vSphere 7.x end-of-life strategy.

Acceptance Criteria

Deprecation Warning Testing

• [ ] Create CI jobs that test deprecation warnings on vSphere 7.x environments
• [ ] Validate warning messages appear correctly during IPI installations
• [ ] Test that installations complete successfully despite warnings
• [ ] Verify no warnings appear on vSphere 8.x environments
• [ ] Test warning message content and formatting

Support Removal Testing

• [ ] Create CI jobs that test installation blocking on vSphere 7.x
• [ ] Validate that installations fail with appropriate error messages
• [ ] Test upgrade blocking scenarios on vSphere 7.x
• [ ] Verify installations succeed on vSphere 8.x after blocking implementation
• [ ] Test error message content and helpfulness

Edge Case Testing

• [ ] Test version detection edge cases and error handling
• [ ] Validate behavior when vCenter is unreachable during checks
• [ ] Test mixed environment scenarios (multiple vCenters)
• [ ] Verify behavior with vSphere 7.x point releases
• [ ] Test installer behavior with proxy configurations

Automated Test Integration

• [ ] Integrate deprecation and blocking tests into existing CI pipelines
• [ ] Create both positive and negative test scenarios
• [ ] Implement test data management for vSphere 7.x environments
• [ ] Ensure test reliability and consistency
• [ ] Add appropriate test reporting and alerting

Test Environment Management

• [ ] Coordinate with infrastructure team for vSphere 7.x test environments
• [ ] Ensure test environments remain available through deprecation period
• [ ] Plan for test environment decommissioning after removal
• [ ] Document test environment requirements and setup
• [ ] Implement test environment monitoring and maintenance

Definition of Done

• Comprehensive CI testing covers both deprecation and removal phases
• All test scenarios pass consistently
• Test results integrated into release qualification process
• Test environments properly maintained and documented