load testing flex application

8/3/2019 Load Testing Flex Application

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Introduction

Adobe Flex applications may be dierent rom applications you’ve worked with beore. For

classic HTML web applications, the server does all o the processing. In addition, the rendering

o HTML requires ull page rereshes. Flex applications are dierent because content is delivered

without having to reload the page. These applications download the Flash client application

and run in the browser, or or Adobe AIR® applications, on the desktop. The Flash is constantlybeing updated by the server, asynchronously. For this reason, Adobe Flex server loads reveal

a very dierent prole.

It is important to measure transaction response times when perormance testing web appli-

cations. Flex technology can cause signicant increases in the number o browser-to-server

HTTP calls made in the background. This increase in trac can have a proound eect on per-

ormance. While users might not be aware o the round-trips between the browser and a dis-

tant server, they will denitely notice perormance problems i the application is slow or doesn’t

work because o the increased load. Knowing the scalability limitations o your deployments is

crucial.

Innovative RIA technologies like Flex present new challenges with respect to emulating a real-

istic load. I you’re developing or deploying applications in this newer technology, successully

addressing these challenges requires thinking about load testing in new ways. Let’s look at the

new challenges in load testing Flex applications and some tips to improve application peror-

mance and enrich the user experience.

Tip 1: Make sure you can decode AMF and process

internal identiers Adobe’s Flex AMF (Action Messaging Format) protocol is used to exchange data between an

Adobe Flash application and a database, using a Remote Procedure call. Since the data is

in compressed binary ormat, communication is aster and more ecient than a web service.

Many load testing tools rely on data being sent over HTTP and don’t tap into the AMF protocol.

Thereore, they don’t go deep enough to understand what is being exchanged between client

and server. For optimum testing, make sure your load testing tool decodes these objects

so that you can parameterize the requests, extract data rom the response and validate the

response.

In addition, AMF message protocol uses internal identiers (clientId, DSId, etc.) to maintain the AMF session. Parameters in an AMF session are dynamically generated and are numerous. To

avoid painul manual conguration o these parameters, make sure that your load testing tool

automatically processes serialized objects and identiers.



Tip 2: Make sure you can support customized external

messages

AMF3 compact binary ormat helps integrate binary data exchange into all server platorms.

The protocol improves the quality o all remote and messaging solutions or Flex and optimizes

data exchange. AMF3 reduces the quantity o exchanged inormation and avoids redundant

messages. In particular, AMF3 externalizable messages allow developers to customize the

serialization o objects exchanged in AMF.

When selecting a load testing tool, make sure it allows you to integrate custom code into it. For

optimum testing, the customized code should be loaded and run by the testing tool to correctly

replay custom messages.

The ollowing diagrams illustrate how NeoLoad converts AMF binary to XML on design and

execution:



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As more and more companies deploy mission critical applications on the

internet it has become increasingly important to performance test these

web applications before they go live. While Adobe Flex provides expanded

capabilities to develop new powerful applications in support of organizational

needs they are different from other web applications. As a result a new

approach to load testing is required. By implementing the tips in thiswhitepaper, companies can quickly adapt their testing methodology to handle

Flex applications, get to market faster and easier than ever before, while

improving productivity and saving money.

About Neotys

Since 2005, Neotys has helped over 1000 customers in more than 60 countries enhance the

reliability, perormance, and quality o their applications. NeoLoad is a best-in-class load testing

solution that automates the development, execution and analysis o perormance testing.NeoLoad supports all web 2.0 technologies, is fexible and easy to use with innite scalability

rom the cloud. All this is backed by a dedicated team o Neotys proessional services and

support specialists to ensure your success.

To Get More Information

Web: http://www.neotys.com

E-mail: [email protected]

Neotys and NeoLoad are registered trademarks o Neotys company in USA and others countries.

Adobe, Flex, AIR are registered trademarks o Adobe Systems Incorporated in USA and others countries.

© Copyright Neotys 2011

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load testing flex application

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