Your e-Business Quality Partner eValid™ -- Automated Web Quality Solution
Browser-Based, Client-Side, Functional Testing & Validation,
Load & Performance Tuning, Page Timing, Website Analysis,
and Rich Internet Application Monitoring.

eValid -- EVALUATING: Load Testing

Getting Started

System Requirements
Architecture
Installation
GUI Basics
Preferences
Files
User Manual
Getting Help
License Key Issues
eValid Usage Issues

Load Testing
Basic Concepts
Scenario Composition
Running Load Tests
Load Test Reports
Variable Fidelity
Capacity Estimation
Conflict Avoidance with Lock/Unlock

Getting Started

System Requirements

What are the System Requirements for eValid?

Do I need to have I.E. installed?

Yes, eValid requires the presence of at least Internet Explorer 5.5 as eValid makes use of the libraries contained within I.E.

Architecture

What is a important about eValid?

The advantages of using eValid are:

Installation

How do I install eValid?
Follow the steps outlined below in order to successfully install eValid:
  1. Double Click on the eValid installer (eValid6.exe) if you have downloaded the program from our website or insert the eValid CD in your CD ROM drive and double click the eValid install icon.
  2. The "Welcome to the Install Shield Wizard for eValid" page is displayed. Click "Next" to proceed.
  3. Carefully review the eValid "SOFTWARE PRODUCT LICENSE AGREEMENT". Click on "Yes" if you agree to the terms and conditions of the license.
  4. Select a folder where eValid will be installed. The default setting will install eValid in "C:\Program Files\Software Research". Click "Browse" to install in another location.
  5. Choose the appropriate options for your eValid installation. Click "Next".
  6. As soon as eValid completes the installation, review the installation results. Click "Next".
  7. Click "Finish".

GUI Basics

How do I start recording a test?

To start recording a test, follow these simple steps:
  1. Click on the red button on the upper right hand side of eValid -or- Access the eValid menu (Record > Start Recording) -or- By pressing F4 to start recording.
  2. You will be prompted to enter a name for the test you are about to create.
  3. Perform a series of actions in the site you are testing.
  4. Stop recording by pressing the Stop button on the upper right hand side of eValid
    -or-
    Press F4 to stop recording.
How do I play back my script?

To start playing back a test, follow these simple steps:

  1. Press the play button on the upper right hand side of eValid
    -or-
    Access the eValid menu (Playback > Start Playback)
    -or-
    Press the F6 key.

Preferences

How do I access the eValid Preferences?

Use one of two ways to open the eValid Preferences:

  1. Press Ctrl + F2.
  2. Click on the eValid menu, select "Settings", choose the appropriate preferences desired.

How do I access and control the cache manager?

Use one of two ways to open the eValid Preferences:

  1. Press F2.
  2. Click on the eValid menu, select "Settings", and choose the Cache Manager.

Can I save different sets of preferences?

You can save a specific set of option from the eValid Profile Manager. Follow the steps below in order to save your settings to a profile.

  1. Select the options that you want to be included in the profile.
  2. Click on Profiles.
  3. Check Save Profile.
  4. Enter a unique name for the profile you are creating.
  5. Click on "OK".
  6. Click on "Save" to apply the changes.

Files

What are evs/evl files?

  1. An evs file is the test that is produced from the recording.
  2. An evl file is a Load Test that is created to include the original script file (*.evs).

Where did I save the script I recorded?

By default, the script is saved under the eValid Project/Group folder unless otherwise specified in the preferences.

What other files are produced by eValid?

Other files produced by eValid are the LoadTest Log, the Event Log, Error Log, Performance Log, and the Timing Log.

User Manual

Where do I find the eValid User Manual?

The eValid User Manual can be accessed through eValid by clicking (Help > Documentation > User Manual).

Is there a local copy of the eValid User Manual?

As eValid continually evolves, we are also continually updating the user manual to reflect changes made in the product making it unsuitable to include local copies.

Is there a hardcopy version of the manual?

A PDF Document of the Online User Manual is available for downloading.

Getting Help

Do I have to pay for Technical Support?

Users doing an EVAL of eValid are entitled to limited free product related Technical Support. However, users who use REVENUE keys must be subscribed to maintenance support to access Technical Support.

How do I reach Technical Support?

You can reach eValid Technical Support by sending us email using the eValid menu (Help > E-mail Tech Support) or by giving us a call at 1-800-942-SOFT. If you're having trouble with a script or a recording simply send us a copy of the script and our Technical Support Staff will be glad to help you out.

License Key Issues

I get an error saying "Unable to locate evalid.lic. Identify license file to process?" How do I resolve this?

Make sure that your license key is in the proper folder as well as the eValid executable.

I get an invalid, corrupted, or expired license message. How can I resolve this?

Make sure that your license is still valid by opening it in a text editor and checking the expiration date. Do not alter anything in the license file as the key is encrypted.

For support with you current license, send us your details using the eValid menu (Help > E-mail Tech Support).

My license file seems to be valid but I still keep on getting the invalid, corrupted or expired message. What else can I do?

If you had a previous installation of eValid and had it installed in a different location other than the default location, follow these simple steps to correct this issue (or have your System's Administrator perform the equivalent changes):

  1. Using "regedit" the Registry Editor.
  2. Open "My Computer > HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > ...
  3. Continue to Open "Software Research > eValid > eV_Section_Zero".
  4. Look for the eValid entry:
    LicenseFile=%PATH%
  5. Modify and remove the current path and any related values of the eValid license file properties accordingly.
  6. Click "OK" and exit the Registry Editor.
  7. Run eValid again.

eValid Usage Issues

Can I use eValid as a regular browser?

Yes, eValid can be used normally as a browser.

Can I use eValid with other versions of Windows?

As a full featured test enabled web browser, we have only tested eValid with Windows 2000/XP/Vista/Windows 7. We cannot guarantee accurate results or proper operation from running eValid in operating systems not mentioned above.

Load Testing

Basic Concepts

What is Load Testing?

A Load Test is a type of test, which determines the capacity of a web site being tested. The test usually simulates n number of users retrieving/accessing certain pages from a site.

How does eValid perform a Load Test?

eValid can run a LoadTest made up of repeated playbacks of multiple script files at varying delay multiplier values. Each script file is executed in eValid sub-browsers launched from the top eValid browser, according to instructions contained in a single evl script file.

Scenario Composition

What does a typical Load Test scenario consist of?

Using eValid, record a collection of evs scripts that represent typical usage of the site to be tested such as log-ins, navigation, download, transaction, search, etc.

What should a Load Test include for realistic results?

An ideal test would include:

Running Load Tests

How do I create a Load Test?

To create a Load Test, follow these simple steps:

  1. Click on eValid menu (LoadTest > New LoadTest).
    -or-
    Press Ctrl + Alt + N.
  2. Once the "LoadTest Scenario Editor" has loaded, specify the name of the script as well as its location.
  3. Click on "Add New LoadTest Line" button. Each line created represents an instance of the eValid browser(s).
  4. Set the Repetition Count to the number desired. The repetition count is specific to a line in the Load Test.
  5. Once you have completed modifying the evl script, click on the "Save & Load LoadTest Script" button on the page.

How do I run a Load Test?

To play a LoadTest script, follow the simple steps below.

  1. Click on eValid menu (LoadTest > Open LoadTest)
    -or-
    Press Ctrl + Shift + O.
  2. Click the "Play" toolbar/dashboard button to begin the LoadTest
    -or-
    Click on eValid menu (LoadTest > Start LoadTest)
    -or-
    Press F6.

Load Test Reports

How can I monitor my Load Test in progress?

When starting a Load Test, a default setting in eValid displays the HTML LoadTest Monitor where the progress of the current Load Test is being displayed. Useful information such as fastest script playback, slowest script playback, average script playback, number of runs completed are example fields, which are displayed in the HTML LoadTest Monitor.

To disable the HTML LoadTest Monitor during a Load Test, follow these simple steps:

  1. Click on eValid menu (Settings > Record/Play Preferences > Load Testing)
    -or-
    Press Ctrl + F2.
  2. Uncheck the option "Display HTML LoadTest Monitor"
  3. Click "Save & Exit"

How are the Load Test results displayed?

Aside from the HTML LoadTest Monitor, an eValid Load Test also produces the LoadTest Logs, which can also be viewed graphically as a chart.

To view the results in Log File format:

  1. Click eValid menu (Window > Logs > LoadTest Log)

  2. -or-
  3. Press Ctrl + Alt + L.

To view the results as a chart:

  1. Click eValid menu (Window > Logs > LoadTest Chart)

  2. -or-
  3. From the LoadTest Log window, click on the toolbar's "View data as HTML/Java Applet Graph" button.

Variable Fidelity

Can I exclude certain items in a Load Test?

Yes, eValid can exclude certain objects in a Load Test by using one of three full browser modes of eValid.

Add the command Serve [TYPE] for the desired output:

What are the other types of Load Test available?

The other types of Load Tests which are available are:

  1. Using eValid FULL Client (Default).
  2. Using the eValid Thin Client.
  3. Using eVlite.

Capacity Estimation

What are the hardware requirements for a Load Test?

Recommended hardware requirements would be at least (mileage will vary depending on your hardware and testing environment factors):

Aside from the hardware limitation, are there any limits on the number of tests I can run in a single Load Test?

Yes. The number of tests you can run in a single Load Test varies greatly with the content of your scripts. If, for example you were running 30 sessions of a heavy transaction, it would be advisable to lessen the type of scripts to be added such as navigation only scripts.

Creating a Load Test scenario within the advised limits ensures accurate data and avoids saturating the Load Test machine.

Conflict Avoidance with Lock/Unlock

What is a Lock/Unlock command?

Lock/Unlock command is used to lock the current eValid window in the desktop foreground to facilitate working with Modal Dialogs, to provide for unique access to cache data, and to prevent other eValid's commands that require window focus from interfering with the current playback.

What are other uses for the Lock/Unlock command?

Lock/Unlock commands can be used at other times to ensure that the script runs in the foreground and all other eValid processes will wait until no other eValid windows are locked before continuing script playback.