It is crucial to ensure that an application is tested properly before it hits the market. Even if an application features unique experiences and enhanced graphics, all that matters to a customer is the performance level. If the application repeatedly reports multiple performance issues, then it is obvious to go down in the market. Thus, it is important that the application is tested thoroughly for its speed, agility, security, stability, scalability, as well as accessibility under various load conditions. However, ensuring that there will be no issues post the app’s launch and optimally testing the application might lead to spending a fortune on tools, technologies, and human resources. Here is where the Cloud Performance Testing comes by.
While monitoring the performance of an application constantly, cloud services help in boosting productivity, saving time as well as enabling multiple users to work on the same database at any given point of time and deliver the work within stringent timelines. To enable this it is required that you have efficient Cloud Computing Service Providers to assist you.
Enterprises prefer cloud services as it is cost-effective and offers a multitude of other benefits. Additionally, the infrastructure that cloud services make available and the reduced maintenance of cloud computing applications, drive enterprises to adopt performance testing of applications in a cloud environment strategy.
When resources are readily made available in a cloud set-up, it makes cloud computing more reliable and efficient. Cloud adoption scenarios range from being private, public, or hybrid. Project environment, technology stack, business drivers, available skill sets, resources, and various approaches are all major factors to be considered while building a cloud performance testing strategy.
Applications need to be thoroughly tested and are even more critical especially when it comes to web applications that require shorter turnaround times as well as faster time cycles. Quality assurance and on-time release of apps need to be ensured and the cloud computing paradigm is an effective solution for all these concerns.
Performance testing in the cloud has 2 broad approaches and they are as follows:
The test infrastructure required by the cloud could be specific tools, bandwidth requirements, number of hardware, licenses, and so on. Unlike traditional methods of testing, testing in the cloud does not face the issue of missing tools or required hardware, etc.
An enterprise can focus on performance testing and not worry about the infrastructure. The tool made use of for testing can be open sources such as Grinder or JMeter or any other licensed software like the Silk Test Performer.
These can be set up and run on AUT (Application Under Test) and can ensure that the client machines that generate load, known as the load injectors, do not cause any problem. This approach is suitable for a waterfall model where the software is evaluated at the end of the software development cycle.
There is a wide range of testing tools available in the cloud such as the SaaS model. In this approach, the test tool is already available in the cloud and hence, there is no set up required.
The optimized system configuration lets you generate the required load without any issues. A few examples are LoadStorm, BrowserMob, nGrinder, etc. This approach is best suited in an agile environment, where iterations are made in the initial phase of SDLC itself.
Stimulating heavy loads, analyzing the app performance, and ensuring cost-effectiveness are major benefits. But let us walk through the key benefits of cloud performance testing:
The following are the various types of performance tests that can be performed on the cloud:
Epilogue
In case the cloud performance testing is outsourced to an external cloud service provider, carefully ensure their security, reliability, quality, and bandwidth. There are certain aspects that shouldn’t be compromised while selecting a Cloud Computing Solution Provider. When it comes to performance testing, it varies with varying user demands and other factors. Thus, it should be tested according to defined test strategies and also on real-time to ensure continuous improvement over the period of time. Ensure you rely on a company that provides end-to-end performance testing solution to launch future-proof applications that are reliable, responsive, and scalable.
A combination of the right set of tools, expert QA testers, a readily available cloud platform, and a carefully initiated strategy can bring about the same benefits of a conventional testing method at lower costs.
Tony believes in building technology around processes, rather than building processes around technology. He specializes in custom software development in an IT Company in USA, especially in analysing processes, refining it and then building technology around it. He works with clients on a daily basis to understand and analyze their operational structure, discover (and not invent) key improvement areas and come up with technology solutions to deliver an efficient process.