OpenLoad

OpenLoad provides a Web site, Web application, and Web Services functional and load testing platform designed primarily for mid-market organizations. The platform is available in three versions (On Demand, Express, and Advanced), with each OpenLoad server capable of generating multiple "virtual user" sessions for the simulation of user traffic to and from Web applications via HTTP/SSL communications. Key differences in the three versions include O/S platform support (On Demand supports only Windows, Express adds Linux, and Advanced supports Windows, Linux, and Solaris); the maximum number of virtual users supported (750 for Express, 1000 or more in Advanced; with On Demand supporting unlimited virtual users but based on a pay-as-you-go subscription model); and multiple end-user support (Advanced only). On those platforms where multiple OS platforms are supported, test scripts developed on one platform can be utilized on the others, as well. The Express and Advanced platforms are both driven by (and include) IBM WebSphere w/IBM DB2 UDB.

The number of virtual users that can be generated per OpenLoad server depends on the server's configuration itself; literature on the OpenDemand sites suggests that Pentium 500MHz systems with 256-512 (recommended) MB RAM support from 10-50 virtual users, while dual Pentium 1000MHz systems with 2-4GB RAM can support over 2000 virtual users.

A key feature of the OpenLoad product line is its support for "script-free" session recording. In addition to capturing user session operations as initiated by the tester, OpenLoad is able to inspect the contents of actual responses to the tester input and automatically "parameterize" session variables. Users can then configure these session variables in order to emulate multiple unique users in the generation of load tests; actual test data can be imported from spreadsheets or CSV files. Some of the other individual characteristics of virtual users that can be configured include user "think" times, user ramping, page timeouts, authentication information, and support for the simulation of multiple browsers, O/S platforms, and connection speeds.

Once tested, various reporting options allow for the analysis of test results, including before/after regression reports and the automatic flagging of potential problem areas. Test results can be exported in spreadsheet formats, and, in addition, real-time monitoring tools are provided supplying the ability to "watch" virtual users (i.e., see the pages as they would be displayed to the user) or monitor metrics while the load test is in progress.

OpenLoad also offers support for the testing of Web Services via the ability to capture SOAP requests within the transaction recorder and therefore allow for the parameterization of XML elements within the requests.

New features in the latest release of OpenLoad include:

- A new "User Scenario Session Finder," a script-free wizard-based tool that features auto-correlation for accelerated data parameterization of recorded traffic

- The ability to leverage scenarios developed for testing to continuously monitor customer transactions and correlate them with back-end systems. Customized E-mail and pager notifications can be generated and sent to select individuals on the status of tests

- A new "auto sense" function that allows users to collect multiple matches on a single page and reference them from within an array of values

OpenLoad is available now. Pricing for On Demand starts at $495 per day or $2,195 per week; Express starts at $7,995; and Advanced starts at $40,995.

Not all features described above are available in all versions; check the OpenDemand Web site for further details.