How to Run FitNesse as a Windows Service with AlwaysUp

FitNesse is a popular, easy-to-use, user-focused acceptance testing tool.

To set up FitNesse release 20111026 and later with AlwaysUp:

1. Download and install AlwaysUp, if necessary.

2. Download and install the Java runtime environment (JRE), if you need to. Please make a note of where you installed it as this will be used in a later step.

3. Download the FitNesse JAR file, fitnesse.jar, and place it in its own folder. We have put it in C:\FitNesse and that folder will be used in the steps below.

4. Start AlwaysUp.

5. Select Application > Add to open the Add Application window:

   

6. On the General tab:

   • In the Application field, enter the full path to the Java executable. If you installed Java in the default location, this is

     C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\java.exe

   • In the Arguments field, enter the command line necessary to start FitNesse. Since we placed the JAR file in C:\FitNesse and we want to access FitNesse at port 8080, we specify:

     -Xrs -jar C:\FitNesse\fitnesse.jar -p 8080

     Note that the -Xrs parameter prevents the JVM from terminating FitNesse when you log off.

   • In the Name field, enter the name that you will call your application in AlwaysUp. We have used FitNesse but you can specify almost anything you like.

   

7. By default, FitNesse will show a DOS command window when it is run by AlwaysUp. This can be useful for debugging purposes, but if you wish to avoid seeing it, click over to the Logon tab and check the When a user logs on, don't show the application's windows... box.

   

8. Click over to the Startup tab and check the Ensure that the Windows Networking components have started box. This informs AlwaysUp that FitNesse needs the TCP/IP networking stack to do its work.

   

9. Click the Save button. In a couple of seconds, an application called FitNesse (or whatever you called it) will appear in the AlwaysUp window. It is not yet running though.

   

10. To start FitNesse, choose Application > Start "FitNesse".

    

11. That's it! Next time your computer boots, FitNesse will start up immediately, before anyone logs on. We encourage you to edit the application in AlwaysUp and check out the many other settings that may be appropriate for your environment. For example, configure AlwaysUp to send you an email whenever FitNesse starts (Email tab), or boost FitNesse's priority to give it preferential treatment on your PC (General tab).

FitNesse not working properly as a Windows Service?

• From AlwaysUp, select Application > Report Activity > Today... to bring up a HTML report detailing the interaction between AlwaysUp and your application. The AlwaysUp Event Log Messages page explains the more obscure messages.
• To capture diagnostic output and error messages from FitNesse/Java, edit your application in AlwaysUp, check the Capture output to this log file box on the Extras tab and specify the path to a new text file. Please review the contents of the file after a failed run.
• Consult the AlwaysUp FAQ for answers to commonly asked questions and troubleshooting tips
• Contact us and we will be happy to help!