Mainframe Servers Overview (MF User)

Performance Test for Mainframe Servers is a powerful testing tool used to perform a variety of functions. For example:

  • Application Developers can unit test new features.
  • Quality Assurance personnel can perform system, integration, and regression testing to validate application functions.
  • System Programmers can verify database availability for client applications.
  • Database Administrators can test database modifications.

Performance Test for Mainframe Servers offers features for testing SNA and TCP/IP applications. These features support a variety of protocols. The SNA options support 3270, LU0, and APPC. The TCP/IP options support HTTP, HTTPS, ECI, CTG, DB2C, IMSC, and generic TCP/IP.

Applications testing involves:

  • Recording activity — Capture all application traffic or record specific activities based on the criteria you specify.

Important

A good practice is to make sure that your browser’s cache is empty before generating HTTP and/or HTTPS traffic for Global Recording to capture, or alternatively, configure your browser to check the Web page for a new version on every visit.

  • Creating scripts from recorded activity — Filter captured activity to generate scripts for various types of testing. Scripts contain formatted information that you can read and Performance Test for Mainframe Servers can process. Add REXX logic to:
    • Create dynamic scripts that facilitate data-driven testing. For example, create a script that performs an account inquiry, and then add REXX logic that reads hundreds of account numbers from an external file and performs the inquiry on each account.
    • Create a smart script that modifies application flow based on message content. For example, add logic to an account inquiry script to terminate Performance Test for Mainframe Servers playback if the inquiry returns a “system busy” message.
  • Playing back scripts — Play back scripts against the application being tested to compare recorded application responses to live application responses or to ensure that the application can support the expected volume of traffic. You can also use the playback function to build testing baselines or analyze script contents for comparison reporting.
  • Reporting — Generate basic, predefined reports, or build custom reports, containing the information you specify, presented the way you indicate. Generate TEXT, CSV, or HTML reports in table or form layout.

Subsequent sections within this manual detail each of these tasks.

 

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