Connectivity
Connectivity is the ability of a system or component to establish and maintain communication with other systems, devices, or networks.
“The degree to which a component or system can connect to other components or systems.”
(Definition reproduced from the ISTQB Glossary. Copyright belongs to ISTQB.)
View the complete ISTQB GlossaryWhat is Connectivity?
Connectivity ensures reliable communication between software components, hardware devices, and external services across supported network environments.
Communication: Systems exchange information through network connections or interfaces.
Reliability: Stable connectivity is required for distributed applications.
Testing focus: Connectivity testing verifies successful communication under normal and abnormal conditions.
Real World Example
A smart thermostat needs to connect to the home Wi-Fi network, a cloud service, and a phone app over Bluetooth.
Every feature works correctly once the thermostat is connected, so the team is tempted to call it done — but nobody has checked what happens when the home router reboots or the Wi-Fi password changes.
The tester designs cases that target Connectivity specifically: pairing and unpairing over Bluetooth, connecting through different router security types and signal strengths, and — critically — what the device does after a router reboot or a dropped connection mid-update.
Testing finds that after a router reboot, the thermostat never attempts to reconnect and needs a manual factory reset — a defect entirely about the ability to (re)establish a connection, distinct from anything about the data exchanged once connected.
Practice Questions
Question 1
A smart thermostat correctly sends data to the cloud and displays it in the app whenever connected. However, after the home router reboots, the thermostat never attempts to reconnect and requires a manual factory reset. Which concept does this defect MOST directly relate to?
Question 2
Which test BEST targets connectivity for a Bluetooth-enabled fitness tracker?
Test your knowledge with real ISTQB-style questions
You’ve learned Connectivity. Test your understanding with topic-specific questions in our Mock Exams.