The most well-known brand in performance testing is “LoadRunner”. Almost every sort of software platform is supported by Loadrunner’s wide range of protocols. Although discussing its lengthy history here might be pointless, you should be aware of it as a performance tester. As a result, I gave a brief account of LoadRunner’s prior trip.
History:
Loadrunner As part of its purchase of Mercury Interactive in November 2006, HPE acquired LoadRunner, which was rebranded as HP LoadRunner. Later, HP released the SaaS version of LoadRunner known as “HP Performance Center.” The moniker “Micro Focus LoadRunner” was given to it following the news of Micro Focus’ merger with HPE on September 1, 2017.
What role does LoadRunner perform?
LoadRunner works on the concept of recording and replaying the user activities and generating the desired load on the server. It simply simulates the real-world user’s actions and helps to identify the performance of the software application or system by generating a virtual load. The main steps include: These are the key actions:
- Recording/Scripting: Making a script out of the user action by recording it.
- Test Execution: Replaying the script while applying a virtual load to the test environment to replicate a real-world scenario.
- Analysis of Results: To offer precise results regarding the application’s responsiveness and load-handling capacity.
In the form of scripts (programs), LoadRunner simulates the actions of actual users. These scripts are then executed by creating fake users (threads/processes). The term “Vusers” refers to these virtual users. Concurrent Vusers run while the performance test is running, creating server load. After the test is over, LoadRunner gathers the results and saves them in a file called Raw Results. The Microfocus Analysis tool can be used to open this file and run additional analyzes on the test results. The Analysis tool eventually produces a report (in pdf, HTML, spreadsheet, etc. format) that summarizes the test results.
Components of the load runner:
The elements of Micro Focus LoadRunner are as follows:
- Virtual User Generator, or VuGen: is a tool that captures end-user business activities and converts them into a programming language-based automated test script. The generated script is also known as the “Test Script” or “VuGen Script.”
- Load generators: These are the devices that create virtual loads based on demand. Each Vuser in the scenario is assigned to a load generator by the Controller as the test is being run. The location of the consumers’ users is also simulated using a load generator.
- Controller: The load test is organized, driven, managed, and watched over by the controller. Workload modeling also makes use of a controller. The construction of a test scenario in accordance with NFRs (Non-Functional Requirements) is a component of workload modeling.
For example, 50 simulated users should load the server with 2 requests per second during the load test.
There needs to be at least one controller for a performance test to be carried out. A controller can also create the load in the absence of LG, but only to a certain extent (this relies on the controller’s hardware setup). A controller also controls the load generators via an agent during the execution of the test, which involves- Which script needs to pick?
- How much load needs to generate and at what time?
- When to stop the test? etc.
- Agent: The LoadRunner agent sets-up a communication between the Controller and the Load Generator.
- Analysis: It helps to view, dissect and compare the results of the load tests. The analysis tool displays the result graphs and statistics to validate the test result against the defined NFRs (Non-functional requirement) and to find out the bottleneck (performance bugs). The analysis tool also generates a report based on the test result.
Why evolve LoadRunner?
There are numerous benefits to using Microfocus LoadRunner as a tool for performance testing, including:
- The user interface of LoadRunner is easy to use and engaging.
- Through the employment of its user-friendly components, it eliminates the limitations of manual performance testing.
- By using virtual users (Vusers) instead of real (physical) users, LoadRunner lessens the need for physical testers.
- Vusers simulate real-world user behaviors and put a real-world demand on the server.
- LoadRunner restricts the need for extra hardware. A single load generator machine can generate many user loads since there are no physical users, which reduces the need for hardware or physical machines.
- All Vusers are under the direct authority of a controller.
- Simple correlation technique for handling dynamic information from the server. A clever auto-correlation tool is also included.
- enables cloud and mobile performance testing
- The controller’s adaptability makes it easier to construct user load tests for any pattern.
- Client-side Performance statistics during the test were displayed in graphs and statistics in real-time.
- To locate the bottleneck, LoadRunner also provides assistance in monitoring network and server resources.
- Integration with APM tools is easy.
- Different types of graphs are useful in the analysis of results.
- options to produce reports in different formats.
- Full automation of test cases allows retesting if necessary.
- There are local and cloud solutions.
- Unwavering support from the team
Conclusion:
The client’s budget and available technology determine which performance test tool to use. A licensed performance testing program called LoadRunner also offers a free trial. While there are many performance testing tools available to businesses and customers today, many trusted customers still have faith in Loadrunner and want to stick with it. In the light of:
- Accuracy of the result
- Resources can be found quickly.
- Support for almost all existing and future technologies
- fast and powerful support group
- Data protection
- Nothing involving a third party
