> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.voting.works/vxsuite-tdp-v4/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.voting.works/vxsuite-tdp-v4/system-performance-and-specifications/guidance-for-test-labs.md).

# Guidance for Test Labs

This page covers guidance for test labs that isn't relevant for election workers.

## Power Cycling

While test labs are free to run machines for long periods of time and naturally need to for tests like the 104-hour continuous operations test, we generally recommend powering down machines every couple of days. Rebooting a machine triggers necessary log file compression and rotation to save disk space. While some log files are compressed and rotated automatically on a daily basis, others are not in order to maintain the highest possible fidelity and are only compressed and rotated on reboot.


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