Top JMeter Challenges and Solutions for Software Testers

Introduction

With a JMeter script, you can simulate nearly anything, including logging in, posting forms, using different browsers, and more. However, utilizing JMeter has some challenges for software testers. This article covers various JMeter challenges and solutions that help software testers. Find out what our JMeter course syllabus has in store for you.

JMeter Scripting Challenges and Solutions

The following are some scripting challenges in JMeter testing tool and their solutions: 

Assertion Errors in JMeter

Challenges: Syntax errors, missing dependencies, or incompatible script versions can all contribute to this. 

• When the database server is unable to continue processing normally and has to shut down, this is known as an assertion failure. 
• Some of the difficulties that lead to assertion failures, like disk troubles, can be fixed.

Solutions: To fix a failure in the assertion:

• Check for the assertion failure notice in the online log.
• Take any action that the assertion failure notice specifies.
  • For instance, you may need to expand the capacity of the logical or physical log buffer or execute an oncheck command.

SSL Handshake Errors in JMeter

These happen when JMeter is unable to connect to the server securely. 

Challenge: If your test plan includes HTTPS requests, you can run into SSL handshake issues. When JMeter is unable to connect securely to the server, these problems arise. 

You might see an error message that looks something like this: 

javax.net.ssl.SSLHandshakeException: Received fatal alert: handshake_failure

Solution: To fix this problem, you need to add the server’s SSL certificate to JMeter’s keystore. Here’s how:

• Obtain the SSL certificate for the server. This can be accomplished by exporting the certificate after gaining access to the server through a web browser.
• Use the keytoolcommand to import the certificate into JMeter’s keystore: 

keytool -import -alias mycert -keystore jmeter/bin/mykeystore.jks -file server.crt

Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

• Use the keystore by modifying the JMeter properties file (jmeter.properties): 

javax.net.ssl.keyStore=bin/mykeystore.jks

javax.net.ssl.keyStorePassword=changeit

• Restart JMeter after saving the file.

Gain a fundamental understanding of JMeter scripting with our JMeter tutorial for beginners. 

Memory Leaks Issue in JMeter

Challenge: The distributed architecture of JMeter may cause your engine to empty its core or generate out-of-memory problems when you run a test using it. 

• When objects are generated on the Java heap memory and cannot be erased, memory leaks in JMeter may occur. 
• This may occur when preexisting references prevent the garbage collector from removing the items. 
• The things accumulate over time, eventually using up all of the memory.  

Solutions: The following are some fixes for JMeter memory leaks:

• Expand the size of the Java heap: This can be accomplished by raising the heap size when you open the JMeter batch file in a text editor.
• Use up-to-date software: Verify that you are using the most recent JMeter version. 
• Use monitoring tools: To monitor memory use while a test is running, use JMeter’s monitoring tools or third-party monitoring software. 
• Optimize memory allocation: To increase JMeter’s RAM, you can modify the JVM’s settings.
  • Additionally, you can employ memory optimization techniques such as garbage collection tuning.  

Freezing Challenge in JMeter

Challenge: If there are too many test threads or the test is too vigorous, JMeter can freeze.  

• When in GUI mode, the JMeter testing terminal can use a lot of memory and CPU power. 
• The console may stall without warning if memory-intensive listeners like “View Results Tree” or any of the graphical reporting listeners are used.

Solutions: Some of the potential solutions.

• Only develop and debug scripts using the GUI console.
• For light loads (less than 50 concurrent users), use the GUI console. 

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Security Issues in JMeter

Challenge: JMeter lacks the capabilities necessary for thorough security testing; however, it can carry out some simple security load tests. 

Although it may not have all the sophisticated security testing features of specialized security testing tools, JMeter, an open-source load testing application, can be used for security testing. 

• Security testing features: Because performance testing is JMeter’s main focus, it might not have all the features needed for sophisticated security testing. 
• CSRF: Because CSRF JMeter is unable to run client-side JavaScript, it is unable to create and capture an appropriate CSRF token. You can use a JMeter correlation to fix this. 
• Scripting: Although test scripts that replicate user interactions with an application can be created using JMeter, debugging these scripts may be necessary to find security holes and vulnerabilities.  

Solutions: The following advice can help you use JMeter to solve security issues: 

• Define test scenarios: To find and address security flaws during periods of high traffic, develop test scenarios to integrate them into a test strategy. 
• Use realistic test data: To replicate user actions, including login attempts, search queries, and website movement, JMeter can produce realistic test data.
  • Finding weaknesses and possible exploits can be aided by this. 
• Generate detailed reports: JMeter is capable of producing comprehensive reports that contain particular metrics like throughput, error rates, and response times.
  • The underlying cause of security flaws can be found with the use of these reports. 
• Ensure the JMeter server has sufficient resources: Test results may be impacted by server resource constraint failures.
  • Verify that there are sufficient resources on the JMeter server to manage the test demand. 
• For test cases, use light loads: The JMeter GUI may use a significant amount of CPU and RAM when database load testing is underway.
  • It can be beneficial to use small loads for test scenarios.
• Reduce resource requirements: During the load test, avoid using the “View Results Tree” or “View Results in Table” listeners.
  • Rather, use them just for script debugging during the scripting stage.  

Review your skills with our JMeter interview questions and answers. 

Parameterization Challenges in JMeter

Challenge: Users can dynamically change input values while the test is running thanks to this functionality. Data-driven testing requires it. When using parameterization in JMeter, you may encounter the following challenges:

• Problems with data files: When JMeter attempts to read or process data files, like CSV files, you may run into problems.

Solutions: You can troubleshoot by:

• Make sure that the data files contain accurate and legitimate information.
• Verify that the formatting is correct and consistent.
• Make sure the file paths in the JMeter test components point to the appropriate data file location. 
• Make sure that the variable names in the JMeter script correspond to the correct context parameter names declared in LoadView when working with parameterized JMeter test projects in LoadView.  
• Try placing the file in the “jmeter\apache-jmeter-3.1\bin” folder of JMeter if you’re experiencing issues uploading it.
  • Next, under the “Send File with request” box, provide that path for the file upload.

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Conclusion

We hope these JMeter scripting challenges and solutions will be useful to work efficiently in the software testing domain. Accelerate your career with our JMeter training in Chennai.