Frequently Asked Questions
WebSledge
What kind of information can WebSledge provide?
My site seems to run just fine. Why do I need WebSledge?
After WebSledge, will my site run faster?
You're using off-the-shelf testing software. Why can't I just use the software myself?
Cost/Purchasing
Testing/Results
What is application stress testing?
What's the difference between capacity planning and stress testing?
Can I see a sample test report?
How long does a typical test take?
What Web server platforms can you test?
Can e-commerce sites be tested?
Can WebSledge test my site even though it's co-located?
Is your testing compatible with Active Server Pages?
WebSledge is a service that determines how many visitors and transactions your site can handle, along with response times for each.
What kind of information can WebSledge provide?
Our WebSledge engineers collect raw data from the testing tool and extract specific information tailored to your individual questions. Some examples of what we can provide:
- Average transaction time for varying load levels
- Maximum traffic density supporting a required performance measure (i.e. maximum transaction time less than 5 seconds)
- Maximum transaction rate under varying loads
My site seems to run just fine. Why do I need WebSledge?
Many times, sites work just fine with a small number of visitors. However, many problems show themselves only under heavy use, or when two users attempt to do something at the exact same time. WebSledge uses tools that are capable of testing these scenarios.
After WebSledge, will my site run faster?
The answer: possibly. Typically, our performance engineers execute a test that exposes a particular bottleneck (or breaking point). At that point, onsite Web programmers scurry off to fix/tweak/change something and then have us run another test. By the time our testing is all done, your staff potentially has made some performance-improving changes.
You're using off-the-shelf testing software. Why can't I just use the
software myself?
You can! Downright Software can even provide you with the testing tools. Downright's staff has been testing sites for years. Additionally, our staff is WebLoad-certified. With WebSledge, you avoid training costs by taking advantage of our in-house expertise.
Testing starts at about $9,500. Pricing is directly related to a site's complexity.
How can I purchase WebLoad testing software?
Downright Software is a RadView Partner. We can sell you permanent and temporary WebLoad licenses. For more information, contact our sales department by e-mail or call 301-948-6002.
What is application stress testing?
There are lots of moving parts in a web application, just as in an automobile engine. As you push your web site harder (i.e. stepping on the gas), how does your site respond? What parts start to degrade in performance? Or fail? This is the heart of application stress testing.
What's the difference between capacity planning and stress testing?
Capacity planning: At what amount of users do I need to add more equipment?
Stress testing: How does my application behave as user count goes up?
Can I see a sample test report?
Sure! Here's a report for you to peruse through...
How long does a typical test take?
Depending on site size and complexity, testing times vary, but at a minimum, a test takes about 4 days. Larger and more complex sites may require upwards of 10-15 days or beyond.
What Web server platforms can you test?
Just like back-end technologies, any server platform is testable, including Windows NT/2000 (IIS) and Linux (running Apache Web Server).
Can e-commerce sites be tested?
Yes. E-commerce sites usually require special "test" credit card / authorization information so that purchases can be simulated without actually charging someone's credit card.
Absolutely! Downright Software has a Testing Lab designed specifically for web site testing. Up to 300 users can be simulated remotely. Beyond that, testing is done onsite.
Can WebSledge test my site even though it's co-located?
Yes! As long as there are connections to your co-located hardware via a network, we can test.
Is your testing compatible with Active Server Pages?
Yes! We're compatible with virtually all back-end server technologies, including (but not limited to) Active Server Pages, ColdFusion, Haht, PHP and Zope.
After testing, can you fix my site?
While onsite, our Performance Engineers typically help your programmers diagnose potential problems. At that point, fixes (if any) are implemented by the site programmers. If there's a particular area that needs in-depth analysis and development, we'll be happy to discuss this further with you.
Many people have requested cool looking T-shirts. Our engineers will graciously rip them off their backs and hand them to you while they're onsite (ok - they'll bring you a new one if you insist). For you remote-testing folks, we'll drop one in the mail.