Variance Profile

In the Amplitude field, you set the peak to peak amplitude in percentage of the base load value. So, if you simulate 20 virtual users and set Amplitude to 50%, the load test will have the amplitude of 10 and go from 15 to 25 virtual users. If you set 200% Amplitude, the test will have the amplitude of 40 and go between 0 and 40. If a part of a load shape is below 0, no requests will be simulated until the load is above 0.

When using the Variance profile, you can shape the load in several ways. For example, if the number of users is set to 20 VUs, Amplitude to 100%, and Cycle Time to 60, here is how the number of virtual users will change assuming that the server handles the load:

• If the Saw-tooth type is chosen:

  1. First, the load increases from 10 to 30 users within 60 seconds;

  2. Then, it drops back to 10 and increases again during the next minute.

• If the Sine-wave type is chosen:

  1. First, the load increases from 20 to 30 users within 15 seconds;

  2. Then, it decreases back to 20 users within 30 seconds;

  3. It continues decreasing from 20 to 10 users within 45 seconds;

  4. And, it goes back up to 20 within 60 seconds.

• If the Square type is chosen:

  1. The test starts with 10 users and keeps the load for 30 seconds;

  2. Then, the load goes up to 30 users until 60 seconds;

  3. And, it goes back to 10 users afterwards.

Due to the way ReadyAPI generates data, the actual simulated load may be slightly different from the one you specified. These differences are inconsequential for most tests, but if you need a very specific load, use a different load profile or a combination of load profiles.

Here are some sample tests using this profile:

Click the image to enlarge it.

These tests are similar to the example described above, but they use the Rate load type – Base Arriving Users is set to 20, Amplitude – to 100%, Cycle Time is 60. The test duration is 2 minutes or two full cycles.