IBM® Rational® Performance Tester can be
used to run schedules in the cloud.
The benefits of running a schedule in
the cloud include access to load generating agents in the cloud, access to System Under Test from
geographically diverse locations with data centers located worldwide, and paying for load generation
services only when needed.
Before you begin
- In Rational Performance Tester, click , enter the IBM credentials and the Order number or Promotional code.
- In , click Security is required to access reports, select the
User authentication is required to access reports check box and specify the
IBM login credentials.
About this task
When you initiate a cloud schedule from the local workbench, the cloud manager starts
provisioning the agent virtual machines. The time required to provision agent virtual machines can
vary, depending upon the configuration of the machine and the data center within which the machine
is being provisioned. Expect an average provision time between fifteen and thirty minutes.
Some
of the charging aspects for a cloud schedule run are mentioned here:
- Charging for a run depends on the number of virtual tester hours. A virtual tester hour is one
virtual tester executing a schedule for one hour. An optional promotional code can be used in
conjunction with an order number. You can also use a promotional code for trial usage. Promotional
codes limit the number of virtual users and cloud agents, and has an expiry date. The expiry date of
the promotional code is calculated from the US Pacific time zone.
- If the schedule run is stopped manually or terminates due to a specified performance criteria,
you will not be charged for the incomplete stages.
- If there is a problem with Rational Cloud Manager and the run has to be stopped, you will not be
charged for the run.
- If you request the results of the run to be downloaded to the local workbench and the operation
was not successful, you will not be charged for the run. However, if you did not request the results
to be downloaded and your schedule run was successful, you will be charged for the run.
Procedure
- From the Test Navigator, double-click a cloud schedule.
- Click Run Schedule. The cloud schedule validates your connection to the cloud manager, account credentials and
order number or promotional code.
- Optional: The first time you run a cloud schedule for more than 5 users, a link to an http://www.ibm.com/software/products/en/rpts website is
displayed. Use the website to generate the order number or promotional code. You receive the order
number in an email after you provide the IBM ID and credit card details. After receiving the order
number or promotional code, enter it on the Cloud Load Generation Service
Preferences page and click Run Schedule again. If you already have order number or promotional code, enter it in the Preferences page and run
the schedule.
- If the validation is successful, the cost of the run is displayed. To view the breakup of the
total cost, click Details.
- To continue running the schedule, click OK.
Results
When you accept the cost, the cloud manager provisions the agents that are required for the
run in the cloud and transfers required test assets to the cloud. This process might take some time,
depending on the number of agents. After the run, you are prompted to transfer the test results to
your workbench.