Configure the network
A number of rules in deploying and organizing the test infrastructure are advised to reach an ideal situation. The closest to that situation, the more effective the heavy load testing is.
Increase the number of simultaneously opened sockets
For heavy load testing, the Load Generators need to open a large number of sockets. It is necessary to make sure that the number of sockets allowed by the operating system is adequate. See Troubleshooting.
Use several network cards for Load Generators
An efficient way to increase the Load Generators performance is to distribute the generated requests over several network adapters. Once the adapters are installed on the machine hosting the Load Generator, it is necessary to select the adapters in the associated Load Generator advanced setting to complete their configuration. The NeoLoad Load Generator distributes the load evenly across the installed network adapters.
Distribute NeoLoad communication channels over different networks
During the test phase NeoLoad conveys three distinct types of information:
- Scenarios are dispatched from the Controller to the Load Generators (scenario distribution).
- Scenarios are actually played to the application servers (load generation).
- Monitoring information is sent back to the Controller.
Separating those three information channels on distinct networks achieves the most efficient network setup.
To obtain a good trade-off between infrastructure costs and efficiency, it is advised to separate the load generation network from the monitoring network. Keeping Load Generators physically close to the application servers can improve network performance. For the same reasons, it is advised to keep the Controller close to the Load Generators. Particular attention must be paid to the firewall, if any, between the Load Generators and the application server.
It may prove necessary to configure remote Monitoring agents that are hidden by a firewall (polling mode). See Use a firewall.