Mobile network conditions
When replaying a test scenario, it is useful to simulate various mobile network conditions, like 3G, 4G, EDGE, or else. NeoLoad 5.5 is able to simulate network restrictions on every Virtual User and launch tests in realistic conditions.
The performance of an application is dependent on the network. The WAN Emulation function enables to realistically recreate the conditions of an existing IT or mobile network with simulated bandwidth values, latency levels, and packet loss rates.
A click on the picker button of the WAN Emulation field displays the WAN Emulation dialog box.
The WAN Emulation function is useful to simulate degraded network conditions with latency periods and packet loss percentages.
WAN Emulation requires a driver or module to be installed. See Installation.
In the WAN Emulation dialog box, the Available WAN Emulation profiles list makes it possible to select one of the following profiles:
- Unlimited is the default option. It is bandwidth, latency, and packet loss free, meaning that no WAN Emulation is applied. As soon as a parameter is modified, it automatically switches to Customized.
- Customized is applied when one or more specific parameters are set on an Unlimited profile or a pre-configured one.
- a pre-configured profile carries default real-world values according to the simulated protocol. The Search field above is useful to filter the profiles list. A pre-defined profile can serve as a frame to set a Customized one.
The values for the network conditions applicable in the tests are configured in the Parameters group box.
- The Signal strength drop-down list is reserved for mobile networks. The Good selection stands for the highest real uploading and downloading values in Mbps for the selected network type. The other Average and Poor options suggest signal measures (66% and 33% respectively). Custom values can be entered in the fields beneath according to the quality of the local mobile network.
- In the Upload and Download fields, custom bandwidth values can be specified in Kbps or Mbps.
- In the Upload latency and Download latency fields, custom latency values in ms can be entered or set with the field sliders. The values specified here are additional simulated latency measures: The IT architecture may generate its own latency, according to the location of the NeoLoad Controller, the NeoLoad Load Generators, and the application itself.
- In the Upload packets dropped and Download packets dropped fields, custom packet loss percentage values can be entered or set with the field sliders.
A click on the OK button closes the WAN Emulation box.
- Warning: The WAN Emulation parameters are left aside when a connection error occurs. When a Load Generator generates NL-NETWORK-* errors, additional latency values are ignored when the connection is lost between the Load Generator and the server.
- Tip: Other Virtual Users and Populations can be defined to simulate different types of network with specific WAN Emulation parameters.
The WAN Emulation parameters are enforced on the Load Generators before starting a test. In the Runtime section, Load Generators with a crossed mobile phone icon are not WAN emulated. When the test is started, the Execution Sanity Check wizard displays a warning message about it, as described in Check the test sanity before execution. Still, the test can be run, but the latency and the packet loss parameters are ignored.
- Note: For more information about WAN emulated Load Generators, see Zones and Load Generator hosts.
Measure network characteristics from a mobile device
A number of free mobile applications are available on mobile stores to send the same Ping commands as it can be done on computers. For example, Free Ping is one application on iOS.
These programs displays the statistics for response times (latency) and the number of packets sent, received and lost.
The latency given is a round-trip latency. It is necessary to divide the measure by two to get a sound approximation of upload and download latency.