Performance, Load, and Stress Testing

• Understand the performance testing process: planning, preparation, execution, and reporting
• Relate performance testing to the development process
• Understand performance goals and objectives
• Learn how to deal with environment and architecture issues
• Define operational profiles and load definitions
• Understand and select the various types of performance tests
• Define and select appropriate measurements

In the Real World
This course provides an introduction to the complexities of software performance testing and delivers testing skills that participants can immediately apply back on the job. The focus is on what a tester needs to know in order to be successful. We will address the more common pitfalls and mistakes that lead to the potential failure of the performance test. We will discuss the value of designing a proper test and the realities that accompany gathering the necessary data and information required to be successful. This course does not focus on problem analysis, tuning, debugging, or the use of particular tools. We will address the types of tools and their general usage within the performance testing process. Tools are important but are secondary to the planning, analysis and design of the performance testing requirements.

Who Should Attend
System testers, system designers, system tuners, software engineers, quality assurance professionals, and project leaders who are involved in systems testing can benefit from this course. A working knowledge of system testing and quality assurance fundamentals is assumed, but no specific technical background (e.g., UNIX, TCP/IP) is required. This course is for beginning to intermediate skill levels relating to software performance testing. This is not an advanced course dealing with specific tuning and assessment issues.

Course Outline

Fundamentals

Performance Testing Process

Understanding how performance testing fits the development process
Approaches to the performance testing process
Costs of performance testing

Identify Performance Goals and Business Goals
Gather background information on the situation
Develop an understanding of the situation
Validate the test project need and feasibility

Infrastructure and Architecture
What must be part of the test?
Target platform and systems
Network configuration
Scalability and extrapolation

Designing the Test 
Defining the workload
- Transactions to be simulated
- Analyze factors affecting the load definition
Types of performance tests to be run
Refining measurements
Response times, resource usage, etc.

Test Preparation
Set up the test infrastructure/architecture
Acquire the test scripts and data
Set up the tools

Test Execution
Validate the tests and the tools
Prepare for the test execution
Execute the tests and collect the data
Present conclusions and recommendations
Assist the technical team after tuning and
Debugging
Reporting Performance Test Results

Virtual Package Includes:

• Easy course access: You attend training right from your computer, and communication is handled by a phone conference bridge utilizing Cisco’s WebEx technology. That means you can access your training course quickly and easily and participate freely.
• Live, expert instruction: See and hear your instructor presenting the course materials and answering your questions in real-time.
• Valuable course materials: Our live-virtual training uses the same valuable course materials as our classroom training. Students will have direct access to the course materials.
• Hands-on exercises: An essential component to any learning experience is applying what you have learned. Using the latest technology, your instructor can provide students with hands-on exercises, group activities, and breakout sessions.
• Real-time communication: Communicate real-time directly with the instructor. Ask questions, provide comments, and participate in the class discussions.
• Peer interaction: Networking with peers has always been a valuable part of any classroom training. Live-virtual training gives you the opportunity to interact with and learn from the other attendees during breakout sessions, course lecture, and Q&A.
• Convenient schedule: Course instruction is divided into modules no longer than three hours per day. This schedule makes it easy for you to get the training you need without taking days out of the office and setting aside projects.
• Small class size: Live-virtual courses are limited to the same small class sizes as our instructor-led training. This provides you with the opportunity for personal interaction with the instructor.