Summary

This chapter covered some test environment planning basics like using an isolated network to ensure repeatability . We walked through an example of how to develop network capacity estimates for your web site and test environment, and how to scale a test and still accurately predict how your production web site will behave. We also discussed hardware and software tuning issues common to database servers, test clients , application servers and other key web site components. This chapter also recommended a strategy for progressively performance testing these components .

All the setup in the world won't help you if you schedule your test while some of your legacy or database systems are under load or offline for maintenance. Be alert to the production and maintenance schedules of the components of your test environment. In addition to systems, you need to make sure that the right people are available to assist with monitoring and tuning during the test.

The next chapter marks the beginning of a three-part case study. The example in this study combines many of the topics covered so far and provides concrete examples for their application.