Explain all the web recording options? How did you find web
server related issues?

Answer Posted / madhu

There are situations where recording application using
protocol Web (HTTP/HTML) encounters problem such as (1) not
recording events, (2) not launching or (3) crashing. The
context may deviate however the below list aims to provide
a quick-and-dirty resolution to the problems. Obviously,
the quick-and-dirty may work/not work in different
environment and situations, however it will help you scope
down the problem in a sequential and logical manner.

1. Use another machine to record
2. Use web_custom_request
3. Configure Port Mappings using “WinInetlevel data”
or “Socket level and WinInet level data”. And if necessary,
define the port and certs.
4. Use Older Recording Engine
5. Use LoadRunner as Proxy Server on port 7777 for
Recording (For Older Recording Engine)
6. Determine OS Support Status and application type
7. Determine the actual protocol and port number using
Winsock protocol or network sniffing tools (WireShark
Network Analyzer)

I’m leaving out the details at this juncture so that you
can have an overview steps of what to do when Vugen is not
recording any HTTP events emitting from your HTTP
application. I will detailed the steps and reason in the
subsequent post; so stay tuned!

Ok, let’s move to the details on the rationals and steps
required to get your HTTP application recorded!

[1] Use another machine to record

Install VuGen on another machine and proceed with
recording. What we are doing here, is to differ a
problematic machine to a working one (at a machine-level
troubleshooting). The existing machine may have problems
due to a clone image, restricted privileges or previous
installation of programs (unless you are pretty sure that
your machine is fully workable with Vugen).

[2] Use web_custom_request

Use the basic web request methods for communicating to the
server. This is needed when Vugen (sometimes) is unable to
recognise the HTTP traffic and compose into web_submit_data
APIs. Therefore, by instructing VuGen to record using
web_custom_request only, this will detect all unknown
communications been used in a HTTP mode to be recorded but
in a more unreadable or unfriendly web_custom_request
script.

1.1 Create a new Multi-Protocol Web (HTTP/HTML) script; do
not create a Single Protocol script.

1.2 In the recording options, select recording to be URL-
based script (not HTML mode) and select “Use
web_custom_request only”. Proceed with the recording.
[3] Configure Port Mapping

Some applications may use ports that are different from the
browser. The default HTTP port is 80 by most application
but this may not be used by the application that you are
recording against. In such situation, you may need to
configure Vugento capture the HTTP traffic by mapping the
ports to the service type. The service type other than HTTP
are FTP, Socket, etc depending on your application needs.
In this way, Vugen will become a proxy and capture traffic
on the defined port.

1.1 In Recording Options ensure that you are already using
web_custom_request only as stated in the previously.

1.2 Go to Port Mappings, remove all registered Entry and
add New Entry with the known information (such as port
number and target server). Note that there should not be
any duplicate port numbers.

1.3 If 1.2 didn’t resolve the problem, try using “WinInet
Level data” for the Capture Level and record the
application.

1.4 If 1.3 didn’t resolve the problem, try using “Socket
level and WinInet level data” for the Capture Level and
record the application.

1.5 If the above didn’t resolve the problem, edit the port
mapping entry; change the “Record Type” to “Direct” and
to “Proxy” if you using SSL. If you know the ciphers used
and type, you can configure it here.

1.6 For SSL, either client-side or server-side, refer
to “Configuring the Port Mappings” of the Vugen User Guide
for the detailed information. You will have to provide the
certificates in either Base64 or PEM format. PEM format can
be converted with a tool called openssl.exe availablie with
the installer as well as online search.

[4] Use Older Recording Engine

This is to utilize the old recording engine prior version
8.1. The old version records at the proxy level whereas the
new engine records on the process level.

[5] Use LoadRunner as Proxy Server for Recording (For Older
Recording Engine)

If [4], didn’t work out right, you have to specifically
configure LoadRunner as a proxy to record all communication
via port 7777. Take note that this is in the old recording
engine.

1.1 In Recording Options, under Browser, set the
application to launch manually with “Manually launch an
application”

1.2 Under Recording Proxy, select “No Proxy”.

1.3 On a separate machine (e.g. Machine A), set the Proxy
to the LoadRunner machine with port 7777. (NOTE: Proxy
server can be configured on the LR machine itself).

1.4 Start recording on LoadRunner machine.

1.5 Invoke the application on Machine A.

1.6 You should be seeing events counted on the LoadRunner
machine. It means the target application accesses the LR
machine and LR is recording it.

[6] Determine OS Support Status and application type

At this point, you have tried almost everything (and have
come to theend of the road/solutions). My recommendation is
to check out with Mercury/HP support, on the support level
of the target application. Also check them out if they had
encountered such problems before.

[7] Use Winsock protocol or network sniffing tools

Using WinSock protocol, you can determine the actual
communication method by the client to the server. With this
evidence, you can bring forward a discussion with your
client on the unknown communication method. Another good
tool to use is the WireShark Network Analyzer (formerly
known as Ethereal Network Analyzer) to identify the
communication and port being used.

Is This Answer Correct ?    7 Yes 0 No



Post New Answer       View All Answers


Please Help Members By Posting Answers For Below Questions

What is parameterization?

740


How do you decide the number of load generator machine required to run a test?

846


What is transaction per second graph(pass)?

770


What are the advantages of load runner?

691


What is the loadrunner end transaction and its syntax?

723






What are the types of checkpoints is available in loadrunner?

786


What is the difference between performance testing and performance engineering?

677


What are different types of vuser logs which can be used while scripting and execution? What is the difference between these logs? When you disable logging?

702


What is pause command?

750


What is vugen recording and scripting?

776


How can performance bottlenecks be identified?

697


What are the 5 icons appear in the buttom of the controller windows?

708


What is report viewer?

797


What is the use lr_abort function?

852


What is action section?

703