Everything You Need to Know About the HeadSpin PBox
Tags: testing, automation, tooling
Published: 2023-06-06 12:17:43

## Introduction
In the modern world of sophisticated technologies, most users are tech savvy and won't tolerate bugs in their apps and software. If users face problems like bugs, freezing issues, slow load times, security vulnerabilities, and crashes, they are likely to abandon those apps forever. It is challenging for enterprises to identify the exact reasons for these errors, as they are different in various locations and devices. Fragmentation across OS, devices, and browsers is one of the reasons for performance degradation in apps and software. To overcome such challenges, app developers and software companies need to test their apps in real conditions. Real device testing is one of the crucial [mobile app testing](https://www.headspin.io/solutions/mobile-app-testing) methods adopted by many companies to enhance the performance of their apps and identify specific issues faced by their apps in certain locations or devices. 

HeadSpin's core product focuses on data-driven testing and iteration to perfect the end-user experience by combining a global device infrastructure, [test automation](https://dev.to/vladislavershov/step-by-step-guide-to-building-a-test-automation-strategy-9do), and ML-driven performance and quality of experience analytics. Global device infrastructure is a critical component of the HeadSpin Platform, as it enables organizations to test apps from various locations and connect to thousands of real mobile and browser testing devices. These PBoxes are deployed in more than 90+ locations to enable global device infrastructure.

## What is PBox?
PBox is an appliance used by HeadSpin to test applications on Android/iOS mobile phones, tablets, and media devices. The HeadSpin PBox offers a secure, portable, temperature-controlled enclosure for various devices and allows RF access to the local Wi-Fi or carrier network. PBox can accommodate mobile devices (Android and iOS), tablets, desktop browsers, and OTT devices such as Amazon Fire Stick.

With a variety of features, PBox helps app developers and QA experts to conduct functional and UX tests on real devices in real locations without compromising the security and performance of their applications.

## What is the Role of PBox in HeadSpin Architecture?
In HeadSpin architecture, app testing is done remotely with the devices placed in different facilities or on-premise as per user requirements. PBox is used to accommodate the devices. In PBox, Linux or Mac computers are connected to devices in the box. These computers are the hosts that collect the data from the devices and send it to HeadSpin Cloud Services. Users can access the data collected from the devices in PBox through the HeadSpin Platform, which is connected to the cloud. It even allows users to reverse bridge their devices into this architecture if required. 
PBox plays a crucial role in this entire process, as the testing and data collection are done in it. With an uninterrupted power supply and cooling fans, it ensures that all devices are in operating condition and at ambient temperature. 

## Physical Characteristics of PBox
PBox is a rackmount plastic enclosure used to store mobile and media devices that are tested for performance and other parameters. Here are some of the physical characteristics of the HeadSpin PBox. 

- PBox can accommodate up to 24 mobile phones or eight tablets and eight phones. 
- Each PBox occupies two power outlets.
- It is 11U and requires a four-post rack that is at least 32" deep.
- It is made of the ABS FR (UL94 / V-0 Flame Resistant) material.
- It also has front-to-back fan cooling to maintain the temperature.
- It is protected with a pin code function.

## Conclusion
According to Android, currently, there are more than 24,000 different Android smartphones in the market. With these many devices, the possibility of Andriod fragmentation is high, leading to more bugs in these devices. Real device cloud testing is the only solution to this problem, as testers can analyze and detect bugs and errors in real time with this testing.

The HeadSpin PBox ensures that mobile app testing in real-world conditions is done with 100% efficiency. With PBox’s unique features, HeadSpin can consistently offer [AI-based test insights for enterprises](https://www.headspin.io/enterprise). 

Source: This article was originally published at www.headspin.io.