How to choose a stress testing tool: comparing popular solutions

A DDoS attack is destructive and dangerous, especially in the age of digital technology, when the life of all companies, organizations is based on the work of computers, programs. A DDoS attack manifests itself in numerous requests that paralyze the system's operation. In a simple example from life, such an attack can be compared to many people crowding at the door of a store and not letting each other in. As a result, the store loses customers and profits. This is how a DDoS attack works. The reasons for DDoS attacks can be:

• competition;
• extortion;
• revenge;
• manifestation of ideological protest;
• data theft and other.

Today there are various methods of protection against cyberattacks, but their effectiveness needs to be checked. The check can be implemented in two ways: wait for a real DDoS attack or use stress tests.

Modern testing tools

Of course, the method of stress testing a program or operating system is preferable, as it is safe, allows you to identify weak points and fix them. DDoS attacks have different scenarios. Depending on the object, cyberattack protection systems are selected, and stress testing tools are also selected on an individual basis. Stress testing is a method of extreme load on the system, which is similar to a real cyberattack, but at the same time is completely controlled. The stress test cannot cause even minimal damage to the program, but on the contrary helps to understand at what point the installed protection fails. In particular, stress tests help to understand whether the site can withstand abnormal load, determine the ultimate stability before failure, find out the effectiveness of the site's protection against DDoS attacks, find the weak link in the system. Today the following stress tests are used:

• RadView.
• Apache JMeter.
• "Yandex.Tank".
• LoadRunner.
• LoadRunner.

When choosing a stress test, it is necessary to study not only the features of the system, but it is also necessary to take into account the power, location of the botnet, the presence of support service, the number of functions, the presence of a demo version.

Comparative characteristics of stress tests

Let's consider the main characteristics of the above-mentioned stress tests, compare them.

• RadView. Universal stress test. Allows you to test various services, web applications, cloud applications and programs in a smartphone.
• Apache JMeter. Comprehensive stress test. It is used for testing information systems with different levels of load. This tool has an open source code. This service allows you to simulate extremely high loads. It has a performance monitoring and analysis function.
• "Yandex.Tank". This is a special test from Yandex. It is used as a stress test when checking the stability of applications and programs. Yandex.Tank is easily integrated into CI, has many configurations for creating your own modules, is convenient for use in systems where automatic test stop is required.
• LoadRunner. Widely used tool from Micro Focus. Stress test that diagnoses program performance. Finds solutions to network problems. Provides a whole set of protocols and supports many technologies. This tool provides a large functionality, the ability to develop scenarios and compile reports.
• LoadView. This is a cloud stress test that can generate traffic from real browsers and devices.
• Stress-NG is a testing tool that runs on Linux. Suitable for testing hardware components of the system. Characterized by a wide range of stress factors, memory. It has a built-in stability assessment system.

It should be noted that all stress tests have their advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, each service is selected individually. But in any case, as a result of stress testing, performed by any of the above tools, the client receives a full report on the site's operation with an indication of the places that require revision.

Buy a stress test

As you can see, there are many stress testing tools and each of them is suitable for specific tasks.

The choice of the appropriate stress test depends on the object of testing and other factors. On the Overload website, you can contact managers who will help you choose a stress test that meets such characteristics as security, reliability and efficiency.

Contact specialists for help. Protect your site, get 100% DDoS attack protection guarantee. Buy a stress test As you can see, there are many stress testing tools and each of them is suitable for specific tasks. The choice of the appropriate stress test depends on the object of testing and other factors. On the Overload website, you can contact managers who will help you choose a stress test that meets such characteristics as security, reliability and efficiency. Contact specialists for help. Protect your site, get 100% DDoS attack protection guarantee.Try our stresser