Load testing – what exactly is it
It is a type of testing performed on server infrastructure, aimed at assessing how a system handles extreme conditions
They involve artificially generating extremely high levels of load to determine how the system responds to overload, what its limits are, and how quickly it recovers after processing a large number of requests
Load testing should be conducted iteratively, starting from a low traffic volume and increasing to boundary levels, overloading the infrastructure and systems
Every load test should be concluded with a report containing data, conclusions, and recommendations for changes aimed at improving server infrastructure performance.
Why are load tests necessary?
Conducting load tests just before launching your online store:Magento, Shopware and PrestaShopallows you to determine what level of customer traffic your infrastructure is prepared to handle.
Additionally, subjecting your infrastructure to load testing helps identify bottlenecks in both the infrastructure and the application in advance, allowing you to implement changes before opening your store to the public.
Load testing is also an excellent simulator of marketing campaigns—it allows you to rehearse various scenarios, for example in preparation for Black Friday.
Simulating customer traffic
Simulating customer traffic allows for the recreation of real system usage scenarios. This involves generating artificial traffic that mimics the actions of real users, such as browsing pages, adding products to the cart, or completing transactions.
Scenarios are embedded in the appropriate tools. They should be prepared based on predictions or historical data regarding end-user behavior.
Load Monitoring during tests
During load testing, monitoring system load is crucial to track how different components handle the stress.
Monitoring includes tracking parameters such as:
- CPU load
- RAM usage
- Storage
- Network bandwidth
With this data, you can continuously analyze which parts of the infrastructure are overloaded, where bottlenecks may occur, and which areas of the server infrastructure require optimization.
At EVILFORK we conduct comprehensive load testing.