Difference Between LoadRunner and Performance Center

What is the Exact Difference Between Micro Focus LoadRunner and Performance Center:

Micro Focus LoadRunner and Performance Center are one among the best performance testing tools that are available in the market.

This article will educate you all about this tool in simple terms along with the concerned pictorial representation for your easy understanding.

Micro Focus LoadRunner

Tool Type:

• LoadRunner is a commercial Performance Testing software.
• It was released in 1999 by Mercury (later HP, Now Microfocus).
• Current version: 12.xx (by 30 Oct 2017).

Testing Framework and License type:

It is a standalone type of testing framework where a user either needs to do physical login into the system or remote desktop login from the same premises where the servers are available as the license is limited to premises. It can be a legal issue if remote desktop login is done by a remote tester from any other place.

Loadrunner Components

Vugen (Non-Licensed Component) – Records end-user actions and creates an automated performance testing script.

Controller (Licensed Component) – Test Execution and Management (1 max as per its architecture).

Agent Process (Non-Licensed Component) – Connection between Controller and Load Generator(s).

Load Generator (Non-Licensed Component) – Virtual User Generation for Load Testing.

Analysis –  Test Result & Monitoring Samples Analysis and Application Performance Reporting can be also used for comparing the test results.

Platform Supported:

LoadRunner and its components are windows based, however, load generator can be deployed on Windows as well as Linux based systems.

Cloud support is available for load generator in the newer versions.

Application/Protocol Support:

LoadRunner supports the below applications:

• Application built in Java and .Net technologies using HTTP/HTML protocol.
• Synchronous HTTP requests such as AJAX and browser-based applications using Truclient technology.
• Separate protocol varieties are available for Oracle and the other databases can be tested with ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) Protocol.
• ERP (SAP) and CRM (Siebel) applications.
• Network and Remote protocols such as DNS, FTP, LDAP, Citrix, and RDP.
• Microsoft Exchange and emails related protocol i.e. IMAP, MAPI, POP3 & SMTP.
• Web Service Performance Testing.
• Mobile Performance Testing.

Multiple protocols can be combined as per the requirement.

Protocol Adviser is available if a user is not sure of which protocol can be used.

Test Execution:

As only one controller is available in a testing framework, maximum 1 execution can only be done at a time. Purely manual coordination is required amongst the team members for using a controller for execution.

Maintenance, Access Control, and Version Control:

• Scripts, Scenarios, and Results are stored either on controller or on a shared path and frequent Maintenance is required to store daily/monthly/test wise basis.
• Separate Access control is not available and can be achieved by providing/restricting machine Level access.
• Version control for test script is not available by default and we need to store separate versions on file system if required. The external option such as Git can also be used in the newer versions.

Tool Integration:

Integration with other Micro Focus tools such as QC and QTP is not possible.

Test Monitoring:

• Windows resources can be monitored using the native LoadRunner monitor engine. Individual servers can be monitored using the SiteScope monitor engine.
• Micro Focus Diagnostics can be used if the required license is available.

Licensing and Costing:

• Less cost is involved when compared to the Performance Center.
• Free Community License with all protocols and for up to 50 users (except COM/DOC) is available for non-commercial /learning/evaluation purpose.

Practicability:

Suitable for small teams located at one premise.

=> Recommend Read Free LoadRunner Training Tutorials.

Micro Focus Performance Center – A Performance Testing Tool

Tool Type:

• Performance Center is a commercial Performance Testing software.
• It was released in 2008 by Mercury (later HP, Now Microfocus).
• Current version: 12.xx (by 30 Oct 2017).

Testing Framework and License type:

It is a web-based testing framework, hence a remote tester from another place can access the application legally.

Performance Center Components:

(Please refer the LoadRunner section for standalone components)

ALM Platform – Provides a platform for core ALM functionality.

Performance Center Extension – Installed on the ALM Platform, enables Performance Center functionality. Creates the Lab Management project where the Performance Center administration is managed.

Micro Focus Performance Center Server – Hosts the Performance Center Web pages that enable you to design performance tests, configure monitors, reserve testing resources, run and monitor test runs, and analyze test results.

Platform Supported:

• Performance Center and its components are windows based, however, load generator can be deployed on Windows as well as Linux based systems.
• Cloud support is available for load generator in the newer versions.

Application/Protocol Support:

As Performance Center is an enterprise web version of Loadrunner, it supports all the protocols/applications supported by LoadRunner.

(Please refer the LoadRunner Application/Protocol Support).

Test Execution:

More than one controller can be added to the testing framework, hence multiple tests can be executed

Timeslot can be booked to use the controller efficiently.

Usage clashes can be avoided as once the timeslot is over, a controller will be freed automatically and will be assigned to a user who has booked the next slot.

Maintenance, Access Control, and Version Control:

Scripts, Scenarios and Result sets are stored on a server and are easily available from anywhere as it is web based on run id & date and can be filtered and sorted easily.

Script Storage

Result Storage

Separate administration and Lab management is available to manage the entire testing framework.

Access control can be done here by defining roles.

User Management

ALM has its own version control for the scripts and scenarios.

External version control tools such as Git can also be used.

Tool Integration:

Other HP tools such as QC and QTP can be integrated.

Test Monitoring:

Entire testing topology can be created and monitored using performance center.

Licensing and Costing:

• More cost is involved when compared with LoadRunner and the other commercial tools in the market.
• Standard evaluation versions are available.

Practicability:

Useful for bigger teams that are spread across geographically in different locations.

SummaryLoadRunnerPerformance Center

Tool Type

CommercialCommercial

Testing Framework

Standalone

Web-based

License type

Specific to GeographyGlobal

Platform SupportedWindows/Linux (for Load generator)Windows/Linux (for Load generator)

No. of Controllers1 MaxMultiple

Test ExecutionOnly one at a type

Depends on number of controllers mapped

Scripts/Results Version Control

No Default Mechanism, can use external tools like GITAlong with Default Mechanism, can use external tools like GIT

Access Control

not available can be achieved by providing/restricting Machine
Level AccessEnd users can be created as Administrator and Limited Access User

Tool IntegrationOther HP tools cannot be integratedOther HP tools like Quality Center can be integrated

PracticabilityFor small teams within same geographic locationFor big teams built across globe

Conclusion

This article has explained all about Micro Focus LoadRunner and Performance Center tool in detail. Environment support and comparison in terms of the platform etc are also briefed here for your easy understanding.

Hope you are clear about the absolute differences Between Micro Focus LoadRunner and Performance Center!!