functional_spec_helper.rb

server = Sunspot::Rails::Server.new
begin
  server.start
rescue Sunspot::Server::AlreadyRunningError
  Sunspot.remove_all
end

# wait until the solr server is ready
loop {
  sleep 1
  begin
    Sunspot.remove_all
    break
  rescue
    # "solr not ready"
  end
}

at_exit do
  Sunspot.remove_all
  server.stop
end