Follow the Objectives and Best Practices of Load Testing with Platform Lab Solutions

A load test checks the performance of systems under various workloads. It may be necessary, for example, before the release (going live) or during the development or operation of such software or before certain events, such as when an intensive use of the service or the website is expected as a result of upcoming events.

To find out where the weaknesses and limitations in a system, it is subjected to a continuously increasing load until eventually the stress was no longer holds. This works by applying a high load in the form of many simultaneous, concurrent users or the rapid repetition of actions. It allows you to find possible errors that only occur under high load on the system. The focus of the load is to measure the time and consumption behavior.

In the software lifecycle (Application Lifecycle), the load and performance testing is often ensuring quality assurance activities in the integration test and system test. A load test usually includes always a kind of test automation, as you do not want the load normally applied with tens of thousands manual testers.

Objectives – Why the load test is important

Time is money – this goes in the business world today more than ever. It is, therefore, important to ensure that systems operate independently of time and use load efficiently. In this context, a not so fast and reliable service costs the company an enormous amount of money, both internally and externally.

For the smooth functioning of the system, it is necessary to limit the waiting time the user to a minimum. This is exactly where a performance test by checking the speed with which the system works come handy. Where no satisfactory result, it is up to companies to make performance improvements. The tested system should run optimally and efficiently with all its components.

Types of load testing

To identify the load profile or which workload you should use, you have to define what is your objective first. Depending on the requirements, the test can check the system for different scenarios.

The terms are used somewhat differently depending on the company and literature. There is the stress test, in which the load started from a small initial value, steadily increases until the system has errors and the load does not hold more stand.

The continuous load test, on the other hand, checks the stability of the resource requirements and the response time by running to a longer time. Here also memory leaks are well identified.

The Scalability is used to determine how intensely a system can be used. Here, more hardware and more workload are processed in continued good response times.

At Platform Lab, we work together with your team to help you succeed. Starting from accessing the virtual infrastructure, dedicated servers or cloud servers through VPN, MPLS or direct connection to data protection and security as well as the rollout of new applications, we will help you with all your testing needs.

Platform Lab provides the key hardware, software, and bandwidth required for all types of load and stress testing. Create the web application or client/server environment at Platform Lab, as well as the infrastructure to drive load against it. The client will need to specify the exact infrastructure needs to Platform Lab. Often, we will need to work with our vendor partners in order to provide and fulfill client requests.