Knowledge Base

Results Databases (CloudTest Pro)

by Community Manager on 07-07-2011 10:05 AM - last edited on 11-18-2011 11:37 AM by Community Manager

Result Databases provide the ability to store results in the cloud. This precludes the need to write results “down” from a cloud-based grid to the appliance. Results can be exported for later appliance use, when necessary.

In CloudTest Pro configurations, an additional Result Databases node now appears in Central > Server Resources. Result databases can be created, defined, and then deployed to mounted volumes in the cloud. The creation of a second results database in CloudTest Pro will result in additional fields for user selection in the Monitors dialog box, in the Composition Editor, and in Grid Manager. When Central > Server Resources > Result Databases is selected, the Result Databases list shows all currently configured CloudTest Result Databases—both local and in the cloud.

For CloudTest pro end users, a Result Database can be specified both in the Composition Editor > Properties > Play Settings tab and during Monitor configuration.

The following Result Database columns are listed: Name, Server, Location (if any), Volume (Local or the mounted volume specified in the Result Database Configuration dialog), Last Launched (the date this was result database was last deployed), Last Stopped, and Default (the default database gets a green check mark).

Create a New Results Database

  1. Select Central > Results Database, and then click New.
  2. The New Results Database dialog box appears with the General tab in display.
  

Define all of the following results database General fields:

  • Name

Provide a Results Database name (this will appear in the Central > Result Databases list).

 

  • Location

Provide a configured location of the correct cloud type for this results database. Use Central > Locations if such a location doesn’t yet exist.

 

  • Description (optional)

Optionally, describe the results database.

 

  • CloudType

Currently, only EC2 is supported for cloud-based result databases.

 

  • Cloud Provider Account

Select one of the EC2 cloud provider accounts configured in the Central > Cloud Provider Accounts node.

  • Instance Size

Specify a main instance size from among the options shown below: Extra-Large (recommended default), High-CPU Extra-Large, High-Memory Double Extra-Large, High-Memory Extra-Large, High-Memory Quadruple Extra-Large, and Large. This instance size should correspond to the instance size configured on the given cloud provider.

 

  • Region

Select an Amazon EC2 cloud region from the drop-down options. The current EC2 regions are: ap-southeast-1, ap-northeast-1, eu-west-1, us-east-1, us-west-1, and us-west-2.

 

  • Zone

Specify the EC2 cloud zone that corresponds to the selected region. Note that zones are different per regional selection.

  • Volume (required)

Specify the volume to use. For example, vol-684c3501.

Note: If no volume has been created, refer to Setting up An Amazon EC2 Account for steps.
  1. Click the Advanced tab to review the following additional options. SOASTA recommends using the default for all Advanced tab settings. Only experienced users should modify these settings.
    • Pending Timeout

Specify the amount of time in seconds before a pending server request times out

    • Allocation Max Retries

Specify the maximum number of times to retry allocating

  • Allocation Retry Delay

Specify the delay in seconds between retries

  • Check Server Max Retries

Specify the maximum retries to check a server

  • Check Server Retry Delay

Specify the delay in seconds between checking a server

  • Allow Extra-Large Servers

Check this box to allow extra-large servers

  1. Click Save after making all the desired configuration selections. Once the result database is saved, an additional button appears.
  2. Optionally, click Set as Default Results Database is this database will be the default for all users.

Deploying a Results Database

Deployment of a results database will create that database in the cloud via the cloud provider account credentials provided, and with the specified characteristics (e.g. server class, region/zone) on the specified volume.

    1. Create a new or open an existing results database.
    2. Save the results database configuration.
    3. When ready, click Deploy Instances to start the result database’s deployment process. The Status Log shows feedback as the deployment begins.

Once Deploy Instances is clicked, the button becomes inactive and the Stop Deploying button becomes active. Click Stop Deploying to stop the deployment in progress.

  

Note: After the results database is created and then deployed, it is specified prior to runtime using the Grid Manager > Summary and Deploy / Tear Down page, Grid Monitor Database drop-down.

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