Thursday, June 20, 2013

Tips for Scenario Building

The following steps can be used for performance test execution:

1. Add load generators and connect.

2. Add scenario groups: Add one or more scripts to the list of scenarios.

3. Create run-time settings: Pace users based on feedback from business analysts or users.
a. Disable Logging
b. Determine where to put think time in the script from business analysts or users. Think time can be randomized when a non-random value is in the script.

4. Simulate browser cache: This option instructs the Vuser to simulate a browser with a cache. A cache is used to keep local copies of frequently accessed documents and thereby reduces the time connected to the network. By default, cache simulation is enabled. If you disable this option, all Vusers emulate a browser with no cache available.

Note: Unlike a regular browser cache, the cache assigned to a Vuser simulates storage of graphic files only. The cache does not store text or other page contents associated with the webpage. Every Vuser has its own cache—every Vuser must save and retrieve images from the cache. When the cache is disabled, LoadRunner still downloads each page image only once.

5. Simulate a new user for each iteration: Instructs VuGen to reset all HTTP contexts between iterations to their states at the end of the init section. This setting allows the Vuser to more accurately emulate a new user beginning a browsing session. It resets all cookies, closes all keep-alive connections, clears the cache, and resets the user names and passwords (enabled by default).

6. Schedule by scenario: As the number of users increases, there may be a need to adjust the rampup. Duration should be for one hour on most tests with the exception of stress tests.

7. Schedule by group: Allows testers to stagger the scenarios by group, meaning scenario B can start 10 minutes after scenario A. Ramp-up is how frequently a number of Vusers will log into the system per scenario. Duration is how long a particular scenario group will execute after ramp-up. Testers may manipulate duration to cease testing at a similar time.

No comments: