Xceptance LoadTest (XLT) is a distributed load test tool for Internet applications. It paves the way for quick and efficient load testing because it uses Java as its language and JUnit as its testing approach. Its innovative licensing model – a free basic license combined with on-demand licensing – permanently reduces your license and maintenance costs.
XLT does not tie you into anything, because its open architecture permits the fast adaptation to individual project needs. Its operating-system independence allows you to leverage your existing IT infrastructure. Additionally, testers and developers can continue using their preferred development and runtime environments. Because there are no complicated licenses to administer nor any elaborate installation necessary, XLT will seamlessly integrate into any test environment and is also an ideal tool for consultants.
– Automated regression and load testing with a single tool
– Primarily designed for web applications; also suitable for web services and all protocols that are supported by available Java libraries
– Competitive pricing due to an on-demand licensing model; free basic license for up to five virtual users, on-demand licensing on a monthly base for more users
– No complicated license mechanisms – no license servers, no dongles
– Platform independence enables application in heterogeneous environments; supports all operating systems with JDK 5 or higher
– Perfect for cloud-computing and SaaS
– HTTP- and HTML-based testing, configurable web browser simulation
– Supports JavaScript execution for testing Web 2.0/AJAX applications
– Java and Ruby as scripting languages, JUnit as testing approach
– Script Recorder for Firefox generates Java code as a fast and easy starting point for test case creation
– Scalable through agent distribution
– Different load profiles, e.g. “constant user count” or “constant arrival rate”
– Comprehensive, extendable HTML reports, including comparison reports and trend reports
– Configurable logging of result pages and server communication for later analysis („result browser“)
– Simple installation and easy integration into common build environments such as ANT or Maven
– Creation and maintenance of test cases possible with your preferred Java IDE, such as Eclipse or NetBeans
– Extensible due to its open architecture
Xceptance LoadTest implements the test principles of JUnit and uses Java (or Ruby) to build and run regression and load tests. At the same time, XLT is itself implemented entirely in Java. Therefore it is a simple matter to make it part of your existing development environments and it will utilize the full debugging and profiling capabilities of your chosen toolchain.
Because it makes use of Java and JUnit, Xceptance LoadTest takes advantage of the existing skill set of your organization and thus fits perfectly into existing processes, avoiding the costs and learning curve often associated with introducing new tools. XLT supports the work of both programming and quality assurance teams since the test cases can be reused across all phases of development and testing.
You can easily and quickly create tests with XLT and use them both as regression and as load tests. The sample tests provided with XLT demonstrate the reusability of test components and best-practice assertion coverage, helping developers and testers build efficient and correct tests.
Executed load tests automatically archive their configuration, thus permitting you to run the test again at any given time with the same settings. Avoiding the need for manual re-configurations greatly reduces the likelihood of test errors.
The script recorder allows you to quickly record tests as a sequence of web interactions, using Mozilla Firefox. All recorded scripts are saved as freely editable Java source code. With this functionality, XLT helps beginners see fast and satisfying results, yet does not restrict experienced users at all.
Our result browser supports your test case development and execution with a realistic and detailed display of web pages and the underlying server communication. Failures encountered during load tests can be easily and quickly evaluated and diagnosed. Complex error situations are no longer a challenge but instead easy to debug and therefore easy to solve.
XLT supports HTML- and HTTP-based testing. The HTML module works directly with forms and other page content. This means you can fill out and send data using the real forms and the real data of the page without manual and error-prone assembly. Tests will be more stable and resistant against application and data changes, and this helps uncover problems in the test environment early on. XLT can also execute client-side JavaScript and simplifies the creation of tests for typically dynamic Web 2.0 applications.
XLT can be scaled within a machine, across machines, or even across data centers. It uses the available hardware efficiently and can simulate distributed load without major hardware or software investments.
Because of its open architecture and pure HTTPS communication between the master controller and the agents, XLT can be quickly deployed into any environment, such as secure data centers, cloud-computing setups, or geographically separated systems.
Xceptance LoadTest uses only open standards and file formats. This keeps all the information easily accessible and verifiable. External data sources can be integrated quickly for the test execution or as supplemental data during the test evaluation.
Xceptance LoadTest delivers a flexibility that makes it easy to respond to project-specific requirements. For instance, in addition to HTML/HTTP-testing, XLT can be extended so that with the help of some additional libraries you can test web services or IMAP as well.
Another example of its flexibility is the loose coupling between the master controller and the agents – you can even disconnect the master controller from the agents during a load test and reconnect it later. This enables to start, monitor and analyze a load test from different locations, different machines or with mobile devices.
Comprehensive, easy to understand, and professional reports are part of the standard functionality of XLT. Features that allow you to group results or define and display compliance with service-level agreements (SLAs) give you the required flexibility to evaluate and communicate test results. All reports are in HTML format with integrated charts.
You can easily change the content and the design using CSS and XSL. During a test run, all collected measurement data are archived as CSV files. You can refine the presentation of the results and regenerate the HTML report at any time.
Besides the standard load test reports, XLT offers comparison reports and trend reports. Comparison reports give a quick and detailed overview over performance improvements or performance degradation between two test runs. Trend reports visualize the evolution of test results over multiple test runs by different colors.
The basic license of Xceptance LoadTest is available free of charge and permits the development and the recurring execution of all tests. For the execution of a load test utilizing more than five virtual users, you need an on-demand license. The cost of the license is defined by your testing needs.
Customer satisfaction and your cost efficiency are our top priorities. You only pay for what you really need: XLT does not come with any long-term commitments or required support contracts. If you need 200 test users in March and 1,200 in September, that’s not a problem. If you don’t run load tests from October to January, you won’t pay a penny during this time.
Xceptance LoadTest does not use any license servers or dongles. This conveniently simplifies your license management and enables you to use it in closed environments and in consulting projects.
Xceptance offers optional, comprehensive support packages, which can be purchased in conjunction with any license type.