Using LoadComplete on Virtual Machines

If you need to create, configure, run and analyze load tests in a virtual environment, we recommend that you use the following approach:

• Use a Floating User license of LoadComplete. If you have a Node-Locked license, please contact the contact the SmartBear Sales Team on upgrade to a Floating User license.

• Select a physical computer that you will use as the License Manager PC.

  Make sure that your virtual computers are connected to your local network and have access to the computer.

• Activate your license on the physical computer.

• Install your LoadComplete instances on virtual computers.

By using this approach, you will be able to --

• Easily manage your licenses.

• Create, configure, clone and delete virtual machines with LoadComplete installed without any restrictions.

If you have the Pro version of LoadComplete, use only a physical computer as the License Manager PCs (see above).

If you have the Trial version of LoadComplete, you can activate your license on a virtual computer, however, we do not recommend that you do this.

If you activate your license on a virtual computer, the license will be bound to the computer’s MAC address and host computer (the computer on which the virtual computer is currently running). If the virtual computer’s MAC address changes or the virtual computer moves to another host computer, your license will be blocked and you will not be able to use it.

To avoid possible issues, do the following:

• Move your license to a physical computer.

-- or --

• Select a physical computer that will host you virtual environment.

• Configure your virtual machine so that its MAC address remains unchanged.

• Activate your license on the virtual computer.

• Make sure that your virtual computer will not revert to the state preceding the license activation.

If you just need to run tests on virtual machines (not to create them), a possible solution is to use the LoadComplete Remote Agent utility. The utility does not require activation. It is shipped with LoadComplete and is available for both Floating User and Node-Locked licenses. You can install and run it in a virtual environment.

• Activate your license on a physical computer.

• Install the Remote Agent on virtual computers.

  Make sure that there is a functioning network connection between the virtual computers and the computer where you run your LoadComplete instance.

• Configure your load tests to simulate the recorded traffic on the virtual computers where the utility is installed.

• Run your tests in a usual way.