A Gentle Introduction to Load Testing

Suppose you are suddenly tasked with the responsibility to prove application performance through load testing. You have never done this before. Where would you begin? In this article, we will discuss how to approach the planning, selection of tools, and architecture through the typical phases of load testing. Defining Capacity Metrics First, you would have some homework to do. Based on testing goals, there are a number of key performance metrics that should be defined. ItRead More →

Using the JMeter Counter Element

The Counter element is a built-in feature of JMeter which generates sequential reference numbers within the scope of a thread group. These sequential numbers can be useful in identifying or grouping requests originating from a discrete iteration within a recurring process. In this brief article, we will review the features of the Counter element and describe how it may be utilized in a JMeter load test. Configuring the Counter Element There are several parameters that mayRead More →

Getting a “Grounded” Test to Launch

RedLine13 makes it easy to scale your load tests in the cloud, but sometimes there are a few moving parts to coordinate. While it can be disappointing when a test fails to start, in most cases there are only a few common reasons preventing such a “grounded” test from launching. In this article, we will walk through some of these common scenarios. In each of these cases we will discuss troubleshooting steps and potential solutions. NetworkRead More →

Extractor Success Assertion

JMeter extends the useful capability to extract response data into user variables. In a recent post, we covered how to use the Page Data Extractor to find and save data metrics returned in the body of the page for use in post-processor scripts and other test plan elements. It is a reasonable requirement to see if such extractions are successful before proceeding to this other test logic, which can be achieved manually in your scripts. However,Read More →

JMeter Test Plan Check Tool

When scaling your JMeter test, preparation is important. Often, very large tests will require significant coordination in terms of resources. The target test environment will need to be scaled up to match production conditions. Likewise, simulating a large number of users will require launching many load generator servers. As part of this preparation, you may want to check JMeter test plans for consistency before running the test. The JMeter Test Plan Check Tool provides this capability.Read More →

JMeter Page Data Extractor

Data collection is a key aspect of any load test. For most tests this data comes from request metrics such as response time, error rate, throughput, etc. However it is sometimes useful to capture data that is returned on the requested page itself. With JMeter, this is possible using the Page Data Extractor. This plugin can be used to directly plot data metrics returned from requests. Use cases include status monitoring, health checks, and other importantRead More →

JMeter Local Tests and the Console Status Logger

Though cloud-based load testing services such as RedLine13 allow you to easily scale your load test, the majority of JMeter test plans begin on the local machine. The JMeter GUI is used to assemble the major components. First tests begin inside the GUI, usually monitored with a listener. When transitioning your test to the cloud however, the user interface is stood down to remove the overhead and achieve scale. Local Tests from the Console As anRead More →

How to Regenerate JMeter Dashboard Report

The JMeter Dashboard Report is an HTML-based summary that can be generated from the results data of a JMeter test. When you run your load test with output files enabled on RedLine13, we automatically generate this report. However, this report can also be generated manually on your local machine using the JMeter GUI. Generating the Report Locally To generate the JMeter Dashboard Report on your local machine, begin by starting the JMeter GUI. Navigate to theRead More →

Connecting an AWS VPC to the World

By design, resources in AWS are provisioned through the lens of security. When creating a new Virtual Private Network (VPC), access into this network from the outside world is restricted. In this article, we will go through the steps connecting a VPC to the internet. We will also review common connectivity issues faced reaching resources inside a VPC. Attaching an Internet Gateway The first step to enable VPC internet access is to attach an Internet Gateway.Read More →

Using the JMeter If Controller

JMeter contains a built-in component that can assist in controlling the logical flow of a load test based on internal conditions. Using the If Controller, conditional logic can be set up to either run once for a group of elements, or optionally for each element within a set. Only if the specified condition is “true” will items within the If Controller be executed. Once added to a test plan, the If Controller acts as a containerRead More →