Using Load Simulator

Load Simulator comes with two client modules: a Microsoft Outlook module and a Microsoft Exchange Client module. Each module emulates the behavior of the specific type of client. The Microsoft Outlook module simulates the load placed on the server by the Microsoft Outlook client. The Microsoft Exchange Client module has been developed to mimic as closely as possible the calls Microsoft Exchange Client versions 5.0 would make.

Client modules share certain core tasks, such as sending mail, but differ in their RPC semantics to the server. In addition, modules implement different tasks according to the functionality of the simulated client. For example, the journaling task is only found in the Microsoft Outlook module.

Load Simulator allows you to construct models of user behavior and server topology. You can specify the following attributes:

• The number of times per day a user sends a message
• How many times a day the user reads messages
• The percentage of messages that are deleted, saved in folders, or forwarded to others
• The number of servers
• The number of users assigned to each server
• The protocols that are to be used

As Load Simulator runs a scenario, it generates a users load according to the model you provide. For example, if the model says that users send 22 messages in an 8-hour day, Load Simulator generates messages for each user at an average rate of 2.75 messages per hour, although the intervals between messages are not uniform. The intervals are random because real users vary considerably their activities.

    To run a Load Simulator test

1. Install Load Simulator.
2. Set up your Load Simulator topology.
3. Set the type of test you want to run.
4. Create and initialize your mailboxes.
5. Run the test.
6. Use Lslog.exe to generate a score.
7. Analyze the data.
8. Repeat the test.