Playing back HTTP tests faster than the recorded rate

If the client computer used for recording an HTTP test was slower than required, or if you want to emulate a faster client computer, you can increase the playback rate without altering the actual values in the recorded test by reducing the client delays proportionately. Similarly, you can slow down the client by increasing the client delays.

About this task

Each request in a recorded test includes a programmatically calculated delay before the request is issued. This delay is a statistical emulation of user behavior. To see a delay in a test, click a request, and examine the Test Element Details area: delay field

You can scale the delay in these requests to change the rate that a test runs. This scaling occurs at the test level.

Procedure

To scale the delays:
  1. In the Test Navigator, browse to the test and double-click it.
    The test opens.
  2. Click the name of the test.
  3. In the Test Element Details area, select a scaling percentage. Move the slider to scale the speed at which the HTTP requests are sent. You can specify a range from no delays to twice the recorded length.
    This scale is applied to all requests in the test.
    Note: If you increase playback speed dramatically, requests might occur out of order. To correct this problem, decrease playback speed until the test runs correctly.
    playback slider in Test Element Details section

What to do next

You can also set a maximum HTTP delay. Click Window > Preferences > Test > Test Generation > HTTP Test Generation. Select the Protocol tab, and enter a value for Maximum Request Delay. Although requests larger than this value are truncated in the generated test, the recorded test still contains the original values.