Synthetic monitoring

Definition

Synthetic monitoring is a technique used to proactively check the performance and availability of applications by simulating user interactions. This method involves using scripted transactions to mimic the way real users navigate and use an application, allowing teams to gather performance metrics and detect potential issues before they impact actual users. By continuously monitoring key functionalities, synthetic monitoring ensures that applications run smoothly and helps maintain a positive user experience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Synthetic monitoring can run tests at regular intervals, allowing teams to detect issues before they affect end users.
2. It provides insights into application performance across different locations, helping identify regional discrepancies in user experience.
3. Synthetic monitoring is valuable for testing critical user journeys, ensuring that essential functionalities are always operational.
4. Unlike Real User Monitoring, synthetic monitoring does not rely on actual user interactions, making it easier to simulate various conditions and scenarios.
5. This approach can be integrated with automated deployment pipelines, helping teams catch performance regressions early in the development process.

Review Questions

• How does synthetic monitoring differ from Real User Monitoring, and what are the advantages of using synthetic monitoring?
  • Synthetic monitoring differs from Real User Monitoring in that it uses scripted transactions to simulate user interactions, rather than collecting data from actual users. The advantages of synthetic monitoring include the ability to proactively test application performance at regular intervals and under various conditions. This helps identify potential issues before they impact real users and allows teams to ensure critical functionalities remain operational across different environments.
• Discuss how synthetic monitoring can be integrated with Application Performance Management tools to enhance overall system reliability.
  • Synthetic monitoring can be integrated with Application Performance Management tools by feeding performance data into these systems for a comprehensive view of application health. This integration allows teams to correlate synthetic tests with real user data, enabling a more detailed analysis of performance issues. As a result, organizations can proactively address potential problems, improve system reliability, and maintain high service levels for end users.
• Evaluate the impact of synthetic monitoring on achieving Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for application performance in a cloud-based environment.
  • Synthetic monitoring plays a crucial role in achieving Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for application performance in cloud-based environments by providing continuous visibility into application availability and response times. By regularly running tests that mimic user interactions, teams can ensure compliance with the agreed-upon performance metrics outlined in SLAs. This proactive approach allows organizations to identify and resolve issues before they lead to SLA breaches, ultimately improving customer satisfaction and trust in cloud services.

Related terms

Real User Monitoring (RUM): A technique that collects data from actual users interacting with an application, providing insights into real-world performance and user experience.

Application Performance Management (APM): A set of tools and practices aimed at monitoring and managing the performance and availability of software applications.

Service Level Agreement (SLA): A contract between a service provider and a client that outlines the expected level of service, including performance metrics and availability targets.