SoftLogica's WAPT 4.0 Perfects Web Application And Performance Testing
The challenges of Web simulation stem from the fact that a test environment must allow for all of the variables and factors found in Web trafficmainly the unpredictability created by the end user. This creates a situation in which the test measurements' validity and plausibility is questioned. Expensive tools, such as simulation equipment and software, are also required.
With an MSRP of $250-per-computer license, this latest version of WAPT raises the bar of Web performance testing. Version 4.0 recreates real-world Web traffic and performs repeat stress-load testing on Web sites, Web servers and on almost all applications that have Web interfacesto ensure sufficient Web performance.
Using this load-testing software will provide a way for solution providers to accurately test the end-to-end performance of a Web site prior to going live. The ability to manage a large number of simultaneous users and transactions could mean the difference between being a profitable business or going out of business.
WAPT is designed for Microsoft's Windows 2000/XP/2003 and 98/ME operating systems. However, the amount of virtual users it supports varies between those operating systems. Windows 98/ME users are limited to 100 virtual users, while the number of users for Windows 2000/XP/2003 is around 2,000.
The wizard-driven utility allows administrators to create basic test scenarios to gauge the performance landscape. For example, administrators can see the number of page hits per second and how many users can be served while maintaining the required response time.
Response time tells administrators how long a user waits for server response to their request; therefore, the response time numbers depend entirely on a Web site's performance and speed. To set up a test run, administrators need to set up user profiles, which can be accomplished through the GUI. Administrators can set up profiles to mimic users browsing through an online catalog or placing an order with a credit card.
The profile setup administration is easy to navigate, yet also is extremely granular and thorough.
Since every user encounters a different Internet experience, each profile is fully customizable. Administrators can set up individual IP addresses with different user names and passwords.
As administrators navigate through a Web site, they also can import profiles or record activity in a browser.
Installation of WAPT 4.0 consisted of downloading a 2-Mbyte .exe file and running the setup wizard. Again, the installation task was simple and required no special attention.
When testing Web sites, it is important to test from outside the firewall for real-world experience, according to Test Center engineers.
To create a successful test, there are a number of different steps. Primarily, an administrator must define the number of virtual users, the test duration, and the date and time of when the test will be started. All user profiles must be included.
The Test Center engineers created their first test run once all of the above stepsand the installationwere complete.
WAPT emulates the activity of human users with the help of virtual users. Administrators can set either a fixed user load or perform a test where the number of virtual users is gradually increased until it reaches the specified maximum.
In either case, the results can be saved in .csv formats, which then can be imported into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Reports are immediately viewable, and the utility displays its results in graphs and reports in realtime.
One feature that stood out, adding to its user-friendliness: The GUI included links that take administrators directly to help and how-to pages and menus on any task. This cuts down on reading through .pdfs and scrambling through manuals to get up and running. In addition, the step-by-step instructions were extremely easy to comprehend.
Solution providers should be aware that WAPT also provides insight into the performance characteristics of a Web application.
Using WAPT, Web developers can determine the number of testing requests per second and processing time results. They also can inquire on the stress capabilities, reliability, endurance, scalability, and therefore the real user experience of the tested Web site.
The ease of navigation and utility use earned the CRN Test Center engineers' approval. In years past, Test Center engineers had unfavorable experiences with other load-testing utilities, but for the most part, SoftLogica's WAPT 4.0 offered few headaches.
The basic objective of load testing is to determine if a Web site, as currently configured, will be able to handle the load level anticipated. Solution providers looking for an easy-to-use, consistent and cost-effective way of testing Web sites should look at WAPT 4.0.
SoftLogica is currently in the process of developing a dedicated channel program. However, at this time, the company only sells direct to resellers who can use the tool to offer bandwidth and infrastructure testing to their clients. Solution providers then can choose whether or not to resell the software to their customers.
The real opportunity with this product is to create a business model around stress-testing Web sites, Web applications and the associated pieces of hardware that make up the path between a company's Web presence and the Internet.
