LoadRunner Tutorial

Introduction to LoadRunner

LoadRunner is a performance testing tool developed by Micro Focus (previously by Hewlett-Packard). It is used to test the performance of applications by simulating multiple users accessing the application simultaneously. LoadRunner helps identify performance bottlenecks in applications before they go live.

Key Components of LoadRunner

LoadRunner consists of several key components:

• Virtual User Generator (VuGen): This component is used to create scripts that simulate user actions.
• Controller: The Controller is used to manage the load test and configure the scenarios.
• Load Generators: These are machines that generate load during the test.
• Analysis: This component is used to analyze the test results and generate reports.

Installing LoadRunner

To install LoadRunner, follow these steps:

1. Download the LoadRunner installation file from the official Micro Focus website.
2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Choose the components you want to install (VuGen, Controller, etc.).
4. Complete the installation and launch LoadRunner.

Creating a Load Test Script

To create a load test script using VuGen, follow these steps:

1. Open VuGen and create a new script by selecting a protocol (e.g., HTTP/HTML).
2. Record the user actions by clicking the Record button and performing the actions in the application.
3. Stop the recording and VuGen will generate the script.
4. Edit the script as necessary to parameterize data and add correlation.

web_url("HomePage", 
                        "URL=http://example.com", 
                        "Resource=0", 
                        "RecContentType=text/html", 
                        "Referer=", 
                        "Snapshot=t1.inf", 
                        "Mode=HTML", 
                        LAST);

Running a Load Test

Once your script is ready, you can run a load test using the Controller:

1. Open the Controller and create a new scenario.
2. Add the script you created in VuGen to the scenario.
3. Configure the number of virtual users and ramp-up time.
4. Start the test and monitor the performance metrics.

Analyzing Results

After the test is completed, you can analyze the results using the Analysis tool:

1. Open the Analysis tool and load the test results.
2. Use various graphs and reports to analyze performance metrics such as response time, throughput, and error rates.
3. Generate a report to share with stakeholders.

Best Practices

Here are some best practices for using LoadRunner:

• Always parameterize your scripts to simulate realistic user behavior.
• Use correlation to handle dynamic values in your scripts.
• Conduct tests in an environment that closely resembles production.
• Analyze results thoroughly and identify performance bottlenecks.

Conclusion

LoadRunner is a powerful tool for performance testing, enabling organizations to ensure their applications can handle expected user loads. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can effectively create, run, and analyze load tests using LoadRunner.