LoadRunner 11.52 is a relatively significant release. The features include a new version of the Virtual Table Server, integration with Jenkins Continuous Integration, the ability to run JUnit and NUnit test frameworks and additional support for various browser versions, operating systems and protocols. SQLite is also touted as a more efficient database for analysis results.
Virtual Table Server
The Virtual Table Server (VTS) is a high performance repository for dynamic unique data, used as a new alternative to existing parameterization. VTS helps work with large amounts of unique and dynamic data where existing parameterization techniques were cumbersome or a separate database for storing data during test runs was needed.
To install, download the Additional Components patch from HP – HP03207AC. Unzip the patch and look for SetupVTS_x64.exe or SetupVTS_x86.exe (32 bit) and run the installation.
Below is a view of the Installed and Running Virtual Table Server configured with 3 columns.
Note that the VTS default port to communicate with LoadRunner is 8888 which may conflict with HP SiteScope if also installed. This port may easily be changed, however. Each time the script API access status is changed from disabled to enabled, a popup box comes up allowing the port to be changed. Bringing up VTS through a browser is done through default port 4000, though this can be changed during the installation.
Test Run
Some sample tests were executed using the Virtual Table Server to determine its speed and accuracy. A scenario run over just three minutes achieved over 1000 VTS transactions per second with 100% accuracy.
Continuous Integration and Deployment
HP has taken further steps in 11.52 to integrate LoadRunner with other development, Agile, and unit test solutions.
Visual Studio 2010 and Eclipse 4.2 add-ins
Add-ins that enable the creation of unit tests from your standard development environment, complete with a LoadRunner API to create unit tests that can be incorporated directly into a scenario. The add-ins enable tests to be run directly from Visual Studio 2010 or Eclipse Juno version 4.2 that emulate execution from the LoadRunner Controller. VuGen also integrates with Eclipse, enabling you to edit, debug and replay Java-based scripts in Eclipse.
Jenkins Integration
Jenkins integration is accomplished by installing a Plugin for Jenkins. The plugin allows Jenkins CI to interact with the LoadRunner Controller. Jenkins can then launch LoadRunner unit tests for new application builds, thus automating regression testing. LoadRunner drives the tests and presents the results back through the Jenkins UI. The test results are pass or fail, which are decided depending on Service Level Agreements set within LoadRunner.
More information about the Jenkins Plugin is available here:
https://wiki.jenkins-ci.org/display/JENKINS/HP+Application+Automation+Tools
JUnit and NUnit Integration
JUnit and NUnit are tools for JAVA and .NET respectively. These tools are used to run functional and regression tests on JAVA and .NET applications during development. The integration is done through the LoadRunner Controller. The Controller drives the test frameworks.
Community access: HP Live Network (HPLN)
At times performance testing engagements can be challenging and HP has tried to make it easier to connect with the greater LoadRunner community by enabling HPLN. The idea is that you can share artifacts with the rest of the community – Correlation rules, Utility functions and Data Format Extensions.
Analysis
Analysis results can now be stored and accessed with SQLite instead of using MS Access DB. SQLite should increase the efficiency of working with the Analysis results.
New Browsers
LoadRunner 11.52 has support for Internet Explorer 8 and 10. Google Chrome is also now supported for recording, as well as having Chrome browser emulation for replay.
Shunra Network Virtualization
Shunra has worked with HP to provide an integrated Network device for LoadRunner. In previous versions this device would have provided WAN emulation capabilities integrated into the Controller. Now Shunra presents their newest offering to integrate with LoadRunner, Network Virtualization, which allows network virtualization per Vuser group, multiple locations per load generator, additional analysis graphs and mobile network simulation.
Other changes
Recording through a Proxy
A LoadRunner proxy can now be configured directly through the recording options to record scripts from clients where vugen cannot be installed. This is most relevant for recording mobile devices, or clients running only on Mac OS or Linux.
Additional Linux Distributions
The Load Generator can now be installed on the following Linux distributions:
Support for the following protocols on a Load Generator installed on Linux:
Protocol Enhancements
RDP protocol has been enhanced and now supports:
Recording of RDP scripts in previous LoadRunner versions have recently been difficult when using the more recent RDP server and client versions. This is now greatly improved with the support of –
Enhancements have also been developed for Flex, Citrix (agent support on XenDesktop), Oracle NCA correlations, Mobile device recordings and Web replay emulation on IE 10 and Chrome.
Controller
LoadRunner can be configured to use a round-robin method to ramp up the groups between all of the load generators.
Thanks Ward. I’m going to recommend a continuous integration solution to my client. Your post prompts me to do so by comparing a total TFS solution to a Loadrunner integrated with Visual Studio solution. Reading this, I like the later quite a bit.
Hi,
I have recently started using the VTS that comes with LR 11.52. To write data I am using the function lrvtc_send_row1(“Name;Age;Gender”, “John;34;F”, “;”, VTSEND_SAME_ROW ); . The values are correctly written under the respective columns but the order of the columns are not exactly same as the way passed through the function. For Instance it is getting created as Age,Gender,Name. If the Table is deleted and tried running the script again a different order would be seen. Though this is not much of a problem I would like to know if I am missing any property to be set or any parameter needs to be appended to the function. Please let me know.
Regarding Visual-Studio 2010 add-in, is there any document which details the installation and usage? I have installed the add-in, but no references there.
I Could not find RMI-Java protocol in Vugen 11.52? Is there any separate license for this protocol or name has been changed? Please clarify
Hi Stuart,
I would like to know if we set up Load Generators from different geographical locations, can we filter the response times from the respective Load Generators in Load Runner 11.52 Controller?
Hi Murali,
At one point I had to do remote testing at the same time as I ran multiple users within the datacenter. In order to prevent skewing response times, I determined the location of each of the machines at run time by obtaining the machine’s IP and then running some code to parameterise all transaction names. This provided the filtering that you desire. I have not seen anything in the LoadRunner 11.52 controller which provides this type of filtering.
Ward
hi, i want to have connection of Loadrunner 11.5 with DB2 , where as my protocol is http/s , can i have some code snippet or sample code or URL would help me a lot.
thanks
ashish
Hi Ashish,
If you are connecting to DB2 to ensure that you have unique data, HP LoadRunner’s Virtual Table Server, VTS, is an easier implementation for handing data constraints. I would suggest that you consider using VTS. It is easy to install, configure, load and empty. VTS works reliably together with LoadRunner supporting massive transaction rates.
Ward
Which protocol suits for JDA8.1 application.
I do not know, but you can check with the protocol advisor to see what that recommends.
Hello,
I am even facing the same kind of issue that,
we have installed VuGen 11.52 on windows 7 64bit O.S and we are good with all other protocols except Flex.
we need work against win32 Flex based application (.exe).
vugen is not invoking the application during recording and if the application is invoked, the events are not getting recorded.
I have used jar files, tried with Flex and web multiporotocols but not succeed.
Can any one help on this ? …Feel free to reach me out on #91-9986946752….._ Ravindra Reddy
Hi Reddy,
I had to get an entirely new machine built for me. I found that without the proper JAR files the recording would fail. There were other environmental issues that interfered with recording. I am sorry, to be so vague. Eventually I received a PC that allowed me to record, but it was custom built and stripped down on security.
Is there a way to access real time metrics from controller while test is running through external program(VB, ASP.net, C# or java) through Controller API or if Controller provides any sort of web services to achieve it.
I have installed the trial version of HP LoadRunner 1.52 and have latest Chrome browser installed on my system. But ‘Record’ action isn’t recording any operation on it. Do I need to install something over and above the Trial version to get it to work or is it a limitation with the trial version ? Does anyone have any idea ?
i think you can use TLS 1.x for SSL version in Advanced Port Mappings Settings under the
Network>
Port Mappings>
If you have not already tried it before.
I just completed a Flex + HTML engagement using 11.52. I was very impressed with the XML formatting capabilities of 11.52. I did not use the Runtime viewer, but I did use View Test Results, which allows you to see screens where appropriate and view the XML following a test run. I agree with Stuart’s comments regarding the run time viewer.
The tools that I prefer are the extended log, View Test Results and the ability to go into the tree view and compare the latest replay with the recorded request and reply. Good luck.
Flex application recording issue :
I recently started working on Flex application.I using Flex + html protocol to record the application.I am using recent runtime jar files used application .I am facing a issue where the LR 11.52 Vugen is not recording all the flex requests.I tried several rounds of recording ,each time it misses out some or the other flex requests.Can you please help me with this issue.
Hi,
I am having Loadrunner Vugen 11.52 and using firefox – recorded with multiple protocol
1. web(http/html) + flex protocol
2. web(http/html) + dcom com protocol
I am not able to see run time viewer, why is it so? Tough I have checked “show run-time viewer” option settings, still I am not able to see while replaying run time viewer when selected multiple protocol. What might be the cause? Please help.
The Runtime Viewer will only display HTML (no applets, ActiveX objects, Flash objects, etc). I suspect that the viewer has been intentionally disabled by HP for your protocol combinations.
Does generally while selecting multiple protocol option (one http/html web + anyother protocol), will it always display runtime viewer as we have one protocol slected as http/html web OR will not display runtime viewer.