LoadComplete and Windows Firewall

Applies to LoadComplete 4.97, last modified on May 20, 2019

The Windows operating system has a built-in firewall that controls data transfers between your computer and other computers on the local network or Internet. The firewall allows trusted programs to transfer information between the local computer and certain remote computers, while blocking requests that come from other programs and computers.

LoadComplete and LoadComplete Remote Agent exchange data with computers during load testing, so you need to allow them through the firewall in order for your tests to pass.

If you use LoadComplete Remote Agent to simulate virtual users on remote workstations, make sure the ports the Remote Agent uses (55937–65535) are open on the machine where the Agent is running.

If you are using a Floating User license, LoadComplete uses TCP and UDP protocols and port 1947 to communicate with the License Manager PC (the computer where your license is activated). These protocols and this port must not be blocked, otherwise, LoadComplete will not be able to access the License Manager PC and exchange the licensing data.

See below for instructions on allowing LoadComplete, LoadComplete Remote Agent, and the LoadComplete licensing system through Windows Firewall.

If your computer belongs to a domain and your system administrator controls the firewall settings, you may be unable to configure the firewall. In this case, ask your system administrator to allow LoadComplete through the firewall.

To check if firewall is running

  1. Open the Control Panel.

  2. In the search box, type Firewall and then select the Windows Firewall applet. The Windows Firewall window will open:

    Windows 7 Firewall Window

    Click the image to enlarge it.

  3. If a green check mark is displayed next to the network location that includes the computers participating in load testing, it means that Windows Firewall is running and controlling data transfers. In this case, you need to add LoadComplete to the firewall’s list of exceptions to allow its network activities (see below).

    If there is no green check mark, Windows Firewall is disabled and it does not block any network requests. In this case, there is no need to change the firewall settings in order to perform load testing with LoadComplete.

To configure firewall settings

On Master workstation

Add LoadComplete and LoadComplete Remote Agent to the firewall's list of exceptions

On the Master workstation (the computer where you will create and control load tests), add LoadComplete and LoadComplete Remote Agent (<LoadComplete>\Bin\Simulation\RAS.exe), which is an embedded utility used to simulate traffic, to the firewall’s list of exceptions:

  1. On the left of the Windows Firewall window, click Allow a program through Windows Firewall. The Allowed Programs panel will appear.

  2. Locate LoadComplete in the list of programs and select the check box for each network location where you need LoadComplete to have access through the firewall.

    If LoadComplete is not in the list:

    • Click the Add another program button. The Add a Program dialog will open.

    • Select LoadComplete in the Programs list.

      If it is not in the list, click Browse and browse for LoadComplete executable: <LoadComplete>\Bin\LoadComplete.exe.

    • Click the Network location types button and check the network locations for which you want to allow LoadComplete activities.

    • Click Add to close the dialog and add LoadComplete to the firewall’s list of exceptions.

  3. Repeat the previous step for the Remote Agent utility (<LoadComplete>\Bin\Simulation\RAS.exe).

  4. Press OK to close the Allowed Programs panel.

Allow TCP and UDP traffic through port 1947 (for Floating User license)

If Windows Firewall is on for network locations where your License Manager PC is located, make sure that TCP and UDP traffic through port 1947 is allowed:

  1. In the left part of the Windows Firewall window, click Advanced settings.

  2. In the resulting Windows Firewall and Advanced Security window, select Inbound Rules and then click New Rule.

  3. In the resulting wizard, click Port and then click Next.

  4. Click TCP. Then click Specific local ports and enter 1947. Click Next.

  5. Click Allow the connection and then click Next.

  6. Select the needed scope and click Next.

  7. Enter a name for the rule and click Finish.

Repeat the steps for the UPD protocol. Then repeat the steps to create outbound rules that will allow TCP and UDP traffic through port 1947.

Once you are done, close the Windows Firewall window.

On Remote Agent workstations

Add LoadComplete Remote Agent to the firewall list of exceptions

On each Remote Agent station, add LoadComplete Remote Agent to the firewall list of exceptions to allow its network activities:

  1. Log in to the remote computer where LoadComplete Remote Agent is installed and open the Firewall window there.

  2. On the left of the Windows Firewall window, click Allow a program through Windows Firewall. The Allowed Programs panel will appear.

  3. Locate LoadComplete Remote Agent in the list of programs and select the check box for each network location where you need LoadComplete to have access through the firewall.

    If LoadComplete is not in the list:

    • Click the Add another program button. The Add a Program dialog will open.

    • Click Browse and browse for LoadComplete Remote Agent executable: <LoadComplete Remote Agent>\Bin\Simulation\RAS.exe.

    • Click the Network location types button and check the network locations for which you want to allow Remote Agent activities.

    • Click Add to close the dialog and add the Remote Agent to the firewall list of exceptions.

  4. Press OK to close the Allowed Programs panel.

Open TCP ports

Also, on each Remote Agent station, make sure that your firewall allows TCP traffic through the ports the Remote Agent uses (55937–65535):

  1. Log in to the remote computer where LoadComplete Remote Agent is installed and open the Firewall window there.

  2. On the left of the Windows Firewall window, click Advanced settings. The Windows Firewall with Advanced Settings window will open.

  3. In the tree on the left of the window, click Inbound Rules.

  4. Create a new rule:

    • In the Actions panel of the window, click New Rule. The New Inbound Rule Wizard will appear.

    • On the Rule Type page of the wizard, select Port. Click Next.

    • On the Protocol and Ports page of the wizard, select TCP. In the Specific local ports edit box, enter the port range your Remote Agent uses. By default, it uses ports 55937–65535. Click Next.

    • On the Action page of the wizard, select Allow the connection and click Next.

    • On the Profile page of the wizard, select the network location for which you want to open a port and click Next.

    • On the Name page of the wizard, in the Name field, specify the rule name and press Finish.

  5. In the tree on the left of the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security window, select Outbound Rules.

  6. Repeat step 3 to open the same ports for outbound connections.

Once you are done, close the Windows Firewall window.

See Also

Configuring Your System
LoadComplete and Antivirus Software

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