Load testing is like any other specialty technology skill:  first you have to acquire the background knowledge of the process, then learn how to apply it using a particular tool.   For example, the skill to write a good novel and the skill to use Microsoft Word are two different things.  


While technical support can answer individual questions, its not a very fast or efficient way of learning how to use software.  Learning how to be a Load Test Engineer is best learned from books or experience.  Learning how to use the software Load Tester can be done by watching the numerous videos, reading the numerous blog posts, or by taking a class.  

 

Of the options available, a training class is the fastest and most cost effective because in six hours of training you'll learn most of what you need to get your job done in the shortest amount of time.  The cost is $1,400/person for 6-8 hours of training.  


Introduction

How to go about load testing the Load Tester way: an overview of How Load Tester™ is designed to work.

  • User Interface. Briefly discuss each view in the UI: Navigator, Testcase Editor, Content, Fields, Headers, Actors, Errors, Engines, and Servers.
  • Quickly run through recording, configuring, and running a very simple load test in five minutes.


Test Case Design

The first step in getting accurate test results is learning how to design test cases. This part of the class starts with the theoretical basis of test case design, and then moves into the specifics of how to configure Load Tester PRO™ test cases in a wide variety of cases.

  • Theory of good test design.
  • How to record simple test cases with Internet Explorer.
  • How to use other web browsers such as Firefox, recording with SSL
  • How to configure "think-time" and performance goals.
  • How to record and configure a testcase that consumes data from a dataset.
  • How datasets work.
  • Data replacement in the Fields View.
  • Redirecting a testcase to a different hostname.
  • Setting good validators on each page.
  • How to record and configure a testcase that requires extraction of data to be injected later in the testcase. 
  • Identifying fields that need special attention.
  • Configuration of wtring-delimited extractors. 
  • Configuration of regular-expression extractors. 
  • Optional discussion of other advanced features based on customer need.

Running Tests

  • How to combine multiple testcases into a complete load test.
  • How to design a test plan.
  • How to examine data while a test is in-progress.
  • Tips on how to configure the load test which includes; test duration, virtual user count and user ramp up.
  • Explanation on how to set up load engines whether physical or cloud engines.
  • Explanation on how to set up server agents.
  • Actual test run.

Analyzing Test Results

Post-testing analysis.

  • Overview of the loadtest report and its major sections.
  • Tips on how to interpret the test results.
  • Pointers on the most common bottlenecks on a site.

Live Testing

If there's time, the training session ends by running a real load test against the client's site and using what was learned in the class to find bottlenecks.